Defence Vetting Agency - Frequently Asked Questions - The Vetting Process
Questions about the Vetting Process
Why is the questionnaire so long? The questionnaire may look daunting, but you will find that most questions are fairly straightforward. You should first read through the questions to find out what is needed, collect together the necessary information and then allow plenty of time for completion. You must answer all the questions. If you do not, this may delay the decision about your clearance. If you do not understand a question please ask for guidance from whoever issued you with the form. If you realise after handing in the form that you have made a mistake or left off something important, please advise the DVA without delay. If you do not do so, this could be held against you during the assessment process.
I used to be politically active and think that the Security Service may hold a record on me. Will it affect my DV clearance? The Security Service is only likely to have a record on you as a political activist if you have been involved with an organisation that advocates, or has in the past, advocated, the overthrow of Parliamentary democracy by political, industrial or violent means. If you think there might be a problem, declare this on your form and you will be given every chance to explain the situation when you are interviewed. Your suitability for clearance will be decided on the overall picture and not on a single piece of information.
Why should I provide confidential medical information? The security application form explains how medical information will be obtained and safeguarded. We need the name and address of your GP, whom we may contact. And we need to know whether you have suffered from certain medical and psychological conditions that could have a bearing on your fitness to handle very sensitive information. If necessary you may be asked to take a medical examination. If you are not sure of the answer to a question or would prefer that it is obtained from your GP, you may say so on the form. If you refuse to consent to medical reports being obtained we may have to refuse you a clearance.
What is the purpose of the financial check? The purpose of the check is to assess whether you are or have been in serious financial difficulty or show signs of financial irresponsibility. There is no need to worry about mortgage and credit card debts which are in line with your income as long as you are normally able to manage the repayments. At the opposite end of the financial scale, unexplained wealth may result in further inquiries being made.
What does the financial check entail? As part of the DV process you will have to fill in a Financial Questionnaire to provide information about your personal financial circumstances, and a check will be made with a credit reference agency. Furthermore, during interviews , the investigating officer will need you to provide financial documentation to support the information you have given, and will ask further questions about your finances.
What will I be asked at interview? The interview will be wide-ranging and cover most aspects of your life. The aim is to obtain a rounded picture of you as an individual to determine whether you will be able to cope with access at the highest levels and not become a security risk. If you think the information gathered about you might be misleading or inaccurate, the interview will provide you with the opportunity to correct or clarify this. You should expect to be questioned about your family background, past experiences, health, sexual relationships and behaviour, drinking habits. Experience (if any) of drug taking, finances, general political views (though not what party you support), hobbies, foreign travel etc. All these questions are asked for a purpose, and you should try to be as frank as possible. The investigating officer will be experienced in conducting such interviews, so it is unlikely that anything you say will cause shock or surprise and every effort will be made to put you at your ease. If you feel more comfortable discussing certain matters with a different investigating officer (one of your own sex for example), say so and and every effort will be made to meet your request. Be as candid as possible. Do not be tempted to mislead, or to hide information.
I'm tempted to keep quiet about something in my past, and hope no one find's out? Lying or hiding information on a vetting form or at an interview is viewed very seriously because it is taken as evidence of unreliability and/or dishonesty. Indeed, we might have to refuse your clearance because you lied, even though what you were trying to hide would not in itself have caused a problem. And your clearance could even be removed later if the lie subsequently comes to light. It's simply not worth it.
Who should I name as referees and what will they be asked? You should name people who have known you well over a significant period of your life. They will be asked to describe you and your way of life, attitudes, abilities etc. Essentially, the investigating officer will be trying to verify and complete information provided in the vetting forms. If potential problem areas have emerged, your referees will be asked about these. If you are nominated as a referee, the interview will be wide ranging, and will cover most aspects of the person's life. The aim is to build up a complete picture of him or her as possible, and to determine whether he or she will be able to cope with access to sensitive information at the highest levels and not become a security risk. You should be expected to be questioned about the person's family background, health, personal life, drinking habits, experience (if any) of drug taking, finances, general political views (though not what party he or she supports), hobbies, foreign travel etc. The interview will be searching and intrusive, but it is not an interrogation and should not feel like one. If you have any doubts about the relevance of some questions, you should feel free to ask the investigating officer why the question is being asked. You should try to be as frank as possible. The investigating officer will be experienced and is very unlikely to be shocked or surprised by anything you say. If you would feel more comfortable discussing certain matters with a different investigating officer (a women for example) let us know, and every effort will be made to meet your request. Do not attempt to lie, or to hide information in an effort to be helpful to the person being vetted. His or her clearance could be refused or withdrawn if lies are discovered later.
Can I employ staff while waiting for a security clearance? There is no central regulation prohibiting the employment of people awaiting security clearance. The decision whether or not to do this, limiting access as necessary, is a risk management judgement for the area concerned, as advised by his or her security staff. In making this judgement, the business manager must take into account the sensitivity of the business area, of information held, of local conditions of work, and of the practicality of limiting access. If in doubt, Personnel Managers should deal directly with the DVA. For a SC case contact the Help Desk (01904-662644) to agree arrangements.
Is there a requirement to re-vet people that rejoin within a year of leaving, other than in exceptional circumstances? There is no requirement to re-vet staff that rejoin within a year of leaving, other than in exceptional circumstances. Where a security clearance needs to be transferred the receiving Personnel authority/company should phone the DVA Help Desk (94777-2644) at the outset, to find out whether an individual holds a clearance and to initiate the transfer.
