Ccdf

[ozzywizard]

We have a new contract at work, and all staff are now expected to complete a CCDF form (crinimal conviction declaration form)

this is an application for enhanced baseline standard clearance.

Just curious what this involves and what kinda checks they will be making on me and how far back, do they check all my family etc etc. Can I be sacked if it fails etc etc. would it include driving offences from yeasrs back etc.

[patdavies]

Originally Posted by ozzywizard

We have a new contract at work, and all staff are now expected to complete a CCDF form (crinimal conviction declaration form)

One presumes that this is an internal form? I am not entirely sure that they can do this for staff already in employment. Have they said why the want this data and what they intend to do with? Is there a data protection statement on the form? Have they updated their data protection registration to reflect holding and processing this data? Have they stated how long they intend to hold the data? Even a CRB disclosure may only be held by am employer for 6 months.

this is an application for enhanced baseline standard clearance.

Whatever one of those is Personally I cannot see how it can be enhanced and standard at the same time.

Just curious what this involves and what kinda checks they will be making on me and how far back, do they check all my family etc etc. Can I be sacked if it fails etc etc. would it include driving offences from yeasrs back etc.

Until we know exactly what sort of check is involved, we can't realistically comment on the process or how far back it looks. If your job is not listed in those exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, then any check cannot go back beyond the rehabilitation period (generally 5 years)

No employer (other than for government security services) has the right to enquire into the criminal records of your family for the sake of your employment.

If you were asked on your application form whether you had any convictions (or if not an exempt job, unspent convictions) then as long as your answer tallies with what is found on the check, then you are untouchable as far as any disciplinary action is concerned. Likewise, if they didn't ask, you have committed no disciplinary offence by failing to reveal any convictions.

If they did ask, you said no and they find convictions on the check, then you could be dismissed for this.

We need more detail. Is it possible to scan and post this form (removing all personal details first)?

[ozzywizard]

Okies, what I know is as follows. We are an engineering company, I work in a call centre that sends engineers to companys that require our services. We have quite a few large contracts and we have been accepted for one with the ministry of defence. So they will be our customers but they require all our staff have a security check.
Sorry cannont scan form but will post what it says:

The information sought in this questionaire is required in the interests of national security, checks will be made to ensure that the applicant is reliable and can be trusted in circumstances were they have access to protected assetts a check against the national collection of crinimal records will be made. other security checks may be carried out as nessercery.

The form asks me then to state name address DOB and national insurance number.
Then asks if previous checks have been done. or if i have served for HM forces.
then there is a paragraph as follows:

In accordance with paragraph 3b of the rehalibation of offenders act 1974 (exceptions) order 1975 concerned with the safeguarding of national security, spent convictions may need to be taken into account.
You must therefore disclose all previous convictions, cautions, conitional discharges, probation orders being bound over after being charged with any offence or any action pending against you wheather or not spent under the rehabilitation of offenders act 1974 including those which involved the juvinile court if in doubt remember it is better to be honestby declaring offences.
any information will be treated in strict confidence and will not nessercerly disqualify you from security clearance but it must be taken into concideration.

then it has loads of tick boxes asking me if I have had convictions etc etc .
also giving details.

were it asks me to sign it states it is defined by the Data Protection Act 1998. Then it says the form will go to DSU .
Then they want loads of ID like passport and driving licence and utility bills etc etc.

hope this helps in determining what they are looking for and what they will pull up etc. thanksss.

[ozzywizard]

Have they updated their data protection registration to reflect holding and processing this data?

Not to my knowledge, but im not sure if these forms are from my employer or the new contract.

Have they said why the want this data and what they intend to do with?

They just said it is a requirement of getting this new contract.

If you were asked on your application form whether you had any convictions (or if not an exempt job, unspent convictions) then as long as your answer tallies with what is found on the check, then you are untouchable as far as any disciplinary action is concerned. Likewise, if they didn't ask, you have committed no disciplinary offence by failing to reveal any convictions.

My employer has never asked for any of this information before and no checks were needed on getting the job.

[ozzywizard]

bump . . . any help appreciated as gotta fill in forms on wednesday.

[vonnie32]

I am going to make alot of presumtions here but if it's anything like a CRB check then they are concerned about you fitness to receive and process the sensitive information.

1. When you made your application for employment it probably didn't ask you to declare any spent convictions but may have asked for notification of anything current (which I presume you gave them)

2. The search will probably advise on any criminal (including driving) convictions you have (I don't know about family member's but that wouldn't be something within your control anyway).

3. Usually with these things they are looking to weed out people with particular types of convictions ie fraud, terrorism etc etc etc.... so a couple of motoring offences probably wouldn't be too big a problem (as long as you declared them with your employer - if unspent at time of application).

This is just my unprofessional advice but I hope it is helpful.

[patdavies]

Originally Posted by vonnie32

3. Usually with these things they are looking to weed out people with particular types of convictions ie fraud, terrorism etc etc etc.... so a couple of motoring offences probably wouldn't be too big a problem (as long as you declared them with your employer - if unspent at time of application).

However, this security check is being undertaken by the MoD rather than the employer.

The Mod will not be able to "weed out" by terminating your employment,

If a person is unacceptable to the MoD, and the contract allows MoD to specify staff, then your employer will have to make arrangements such that the person concerned does not deal with or see anything to do with this Mod contract.

Two other things come to mind.

1) If this is for the MoD vetting process I do not believe that your employer can keep a copy of the data

2) You cannot provide any details of convictions for family members on the reasonable grounds that a) you may not necessarily know about them, and b) then are nothing whatsoever to do with your employer.

Personally, I would not complete the form until you know precisely how the information will be used by your employer as well as MoD; what the employer's plan is to manage staff who are not acceptable to MoD; what will be the result of refusing to complete the form (AIUI, there is no obligation to do so) and you have those answers in writing.

I do actually wonder if your employer is 'gold-plating' the MoD requirements for their own purposes. It is unusual to vet a whole company.

[ScarletPimpernel]

It sounds like a Counter Terrorism Check (CTC), the lowest form of security vetting.

The Defence Vetting Agency describes it as:

for people who will be working in close proximity to public figures, or who will have access to information or material vulnerable to terrorist attack, or whose work involves unrestricted access to certain government or commercial establishments. A CTC does not allow access to, or knowledge or custody, of protectively marked assets and information.

The DVA also carry out Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks, which confirms basic personal details, nationality status and criminal record (but only 'unspent' convictions).

I have filled in many of these forms over the years, and have always had to declare being done for not displaying a tax disc in 1984! Currently I have a higher clearance than CTC, and it hasn't caused me any difficulty.

DVA will occasionally come back with questions - they once asked me to confirm my dead stepfather's address, for example - but usually CTCs are straightforward - it's a basic check to confirm details and make sure you and your family aren't on the spooks' databases.

[ozzywizard]

This advise is brilliant and really does give me an insight into what is happening. thanks heaps to all of you.