BPSS, is this a joke? Or is it me

The_Arbiter

The_Arbiter

The_Arbiter

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Not quite the correct title...

I have a standard vetting pack to fill in for a new employer, new employer is subbed from the permanent site runners.

The one form that is causing issues came through as a photo embedded into a pdf, along with the other forms. This form is titled, Baseline Personnel Security Standard Employment History Report Form. It has Dear [insert name], Subject: [insert applicants name], also has many other bits that need filling in [insert something]. The questions are written in 3rd person.

I have queried this with a site security person who rarely picks up phone, took me several days to eventually first make contact, and is certain I have to fill it in and give it to my employer, as is my manager and another person who helps too, apparently.

Apparently they've updated the way things are done, but the form remains the same. My current employer's HR department are only contactable via email or post, and an instant reply states to not contact them regarding updates. I sent this form to them in a png format and gave my details and a note to contact me via phone, post or email if any issues with the form. 7 working days have now passed.

I warned the new employer that this was not going to go smoothly. I get the impression the manager is emailing in a way that is trying to deflect responsibility. I've stated numerous times to phone me for important things as i don't monitor my emails 24/7. I also live a 5 minute drive from the site.

I finish in my current employment in a matter of days, and people at the new place are going on holiday at various times that are required to be on site to verify paperwork.

To add this is a government run site. Anyone else had deal with this? My previous employers have always done checks on my behalf, and all were completely badly managed too. This has been going on 8 weeks i reckon now.
 
I usually need to complete some form of vetting when starting a project for a new customer, they never make the forms easy to complete, and always a follow up form a week later which wasn't missed or they sent an old version.

Can you start work at the new place while your clearance is pending?

Have you tried emailing? You'll have records of trying to contact them.
 
Mujja said:
I usually need to complete some form of vetting when starting a project for a new customer, they never make the forms easy to complete, and always a follow up form a week later which wasn't missed or they sent an old version.

Can you start work at the new place while your clearance is pending?

Have you tried emailing? You'll have records of trying to contact them.
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I'm unsure if i can start whilst pending, i know i can't go onto site until it's completed, whether pending or not i'm not sure if that counts. However i might be able to as the manager reckons it does take 2-3 weeks to complete and the time frame he gave around the annual leave kinda matches that.

I only have an email for my manager and the person who is supposedly helping (not the security person), as that assistant person was CC'd in the last email which stated for me to directly contact her when ready, which she replied on the phone as pretty clueless and unhelpful when i phoned up again. Though she transferred the call to the security person who was busy and said she'd say in person to say i'm trying to contact. Though several attempts at ringing 10/20mins apart the phone wasn't answered. I said to the assistant that i'm still waiting for my employer and that using a personal reference from a standing community member was going to be the way forward.

I really don't want to play the blame game via email or contact their HR, or worst still contact a tribunal about me losing money due to this.

The guidance form which comes with the pack says sections 1-6 must be filled in, section 6 lists (off the top my head), manager/HR. So it seems clear to me the pack should be mostly filled out by the sub contractor's company, not the worker.
 
It's you.

YOU have to complete the BPSS form as it's your history, ID checks, references etc.

www.gov.uk

National security vetting: clearance levels

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk


BPSS is the minimum required for a contractor to work on base - you shouldn't be allowed access until processed. If you have had SC or DV etc. these are usually sorted by your employer, but BPSS is down to the individual to start the process.

It also isn't anyone's responsibility to call you to update you on the progress, if you want the job, check your emails. People are far too busy to do this and i have no idea why you think they would.

You're making this difficult for yourself, issue with the form, i don't check emails etc. Fill the form in, send it on and wait.
 
ivrytwr3 said:
It's you.

YOU have to complete the BPSS form as it's your history, ID checks, references etc.

www.gov.uk

National security vetting: clearance levels

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk


BPSS is the minimum required for a contractor to work on base - you shouldn't be allowed access until processed. If you have had SC or DV etc. these are usually sorted by your employer, but BPSS is down to the individual to start the process.

It also isn't anyone's responsibility to call you to update you on the progress, if you want the job, check your emails. People are far too busy to do this and i have no idea why you think they would.

You're making this difficult for yourself, issue with the form, i don't check emails etc. Fill the form in, send it on and wait.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your post. I've taken a read of some of that document, and the website. The pack in the link states
3. Generally, the responsibility for applying the BPSS rests with HR divisions. However, it is strongly encouraged that HR and Security units work closely together to ensure the effective and consistent application of the guidance. Other stakeholders (e.g. legal advisers and procurement staff) should also be involved where appropriate.
Click to expand...

I did read other sections trying to find further information. Page 12 is similar to the above quote.

At the end of the pack it has a few forms available, similar but shorter than what i have. The pack i got is version 4, not the current one, version 6. I have done my DBS which supposedly covers the missing questions from version 4 to 6?
Day 1 i filled in what i could, and appeared relevent to me, and i sent back the next day. I didn't have any correspondence regarding this untill weeks after.

I have no issues with checking emails each day at home, i don't have the ability to do so at work, a phonecall i can take. This should be reasonable, i am at work and like you say we are all busy.

The form that is the issue, that i've already sent to my current employer and am still waiting on is page 45 and 46 of the document you linked.

Any further input would be great, thanks
 
Previous experience was Individual completes their bits, Manager completes theirs, this then moves onto the Vetting Clerk of the Place you are trying to get onto who processes it (or it may go to the company HR, but usually direct to the Vetting people considering you are sub-contractor).

Where i am the Vetting Clerk is 1 x person! Coupled with the fact that clearances are backlogged and taking a long time to come through. But BPSS should not take as long as long as there isn't anything murky in your history!!

I suppose all you can do is wait or chase it with your Management.

Where are you trying to get onto? (understand if you don't want to divulge). I know a few vetting/security people, but mainly for RAF bases.
 
Thanks. What you describe sounds about right. Just not convinced that myself sending a form (page 45/46) to my current employer that's written in 3rd person that isn't editable (it's a photo of the form) and contains [insert name] for example, is really the correct way to do things.

My managers at my current place are not allowed to provide references and it must go through a separate department. I had this confirmed externally. However on my last day i am going to try a manager to see if they will fill the form out. I cannot contact the department via phone, email or post only, which i had instant reply saying to not request updates.

Unfortunately i don't want to mention the new place to avoid any internet searches coming here. Better to be safe that sorry kinda thing. But my history is clean.
 
I'll speak to my vetting clerk monday (if they're in!) and ask how long bpss is taking to come through.

I'll also ask if they have an editible bpss form or get them to send whatever they use.
 
dLockers said:
Go through a 3rd party and charge it in once you join.
Click to expand...

Probably wouldn't be able to claim, but in hindsight could have been the better way, hadn't gave it a thought.

ivrytwr3 said:
I'll speak to my vetting clerk monday (if they're in!) and ask how long bpss is taking to come through.

I'll also ask if they have an editible bpss form or get them to send whatever they use.
Click to expand...

Thanks, don't sweat it if it's hassle :)
 
BPSS is taking around 6 weeks to process.

I have the current BPSS application form - approx 11 pages long and yes, the individual completes the first part and that starts the process.
 
Ok. I've handed in everything now and my HR still haven't responded to me over 2 weeks later despite the up to 5 days statement. I managed to get one of my managers do to the form and she stated how unprofessional it was, she's worked in multiple areas also. I dunno why one form says one thing and another says the opposite. But alas, it's done.
 
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