Security Requirements
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SOCA accepts applications from individuals who are not UK or EEA nationals. However pre employment checks with overseas authorities in non EEA countries can take a significant length of time to complete. A final offer of employment is not made until all checks are successfully completed.
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For posts that require SC clearance you must have 5 years UK residency prior to application. For DV clearance you need 10 years UK residency. Only in very exceptional circumstances is this requirement waived and this is usually due to the nature of the post being advertised. Even where we accept your application with less than the required residency, If you have recently worked overseas for a length of time it may take a significant time for us to undertake the necessary overseas checks. These checks may take up to a year to complete. We are unable to make a final offer until we have completed checks satisfactorily.
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SOCA applies the Home Office recruitment arrangements. All convictions or cautions, whether spent or otherwise, for recordable criminal offences (including driving offences) must be declared. Whilst each case is dealt with on its own merits taking into account a range of factors, it may be that your application will be unsuccessful if you have convictions for serious offences and some less serious in nature but which are such that should you be employed may bring SOCA's credibility into question as an agency tackling serious organised crime. If your application does not meet Home Office requirements further checks will not be undertaken and you will have your offer withdrawn.
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SOCA requires you to declare any associations you have with serious organised crime. You must declare this during the pre employment process. Each case is dealt with on its own merits but in extreme cases where we establish a significant risk to you or the organisation that cannot be managed this may lead to a refusal of application.
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Lying, misleading or concealing information on a vetting questionnaire or during interviews is viewed very seriously and is likely to be taken as evidence of unreliability or dishonesty. Your clearance could be refused because you lied even though what you sought to conceal would not, in itself be a problem. Furthermore, your clearance could be removed at a later date if the lie subsequently came to light.
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Due to the nature of the vetting process and its use of information from third parties you will not receive feedback if your clearance is not granted.