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The work of the National Crime Agency (NCA), like that of the intelligence agencies, requires the highest levels of government security clearance (GSC). There is evidence that the vetting process required to obtain these levels of clearance deters applicants from some backgrounds. We are aware of this and are determined to change this situation, because having a diverse and inclusive workplace – the best people for the job no matter what their background – is essential if the NCA is to take the fight against serious and organised crime to the next level.
There are three main levels of national security vetting: Counter Terrorist Check (CTC), Security Check (SC) and Developed Vetting (DV). Most government departments require CTC as a matter of course where an individual is to work in close proximity to public figures or requires unescorted access to military, civil, industrial or commercial establishments assessed to be at particular risk of terrorist attack. An SC will be carried out where an individual will have long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to assets classified as Secret. Finally, DV (the highest level of vetting) is required where the individual will have long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to Top Secret material.
The NCA requires all of its lawyers to have SC as a minimum, with an expectation that most will go through DV at some point in their career. Due to the exceptional nature of the NCA’s mission, the Agency applies ‘enhanced’ versions of both types of security clearance, which means that additional questions are asked in the application form and interview.
There is no getting around the fact that the process for obtaining DV (and, to a lesser extent, SC) can feel intrusive. Everybody feels this way during the process. This is normal. The application forms and interviews for the more intrusive DV are designed to assess character and personal circumstances by delving into topics such as:
It is easy to see why questions about these areas of peoples’ lives make many feel uncomfortable. Fears that somebody’s ancestors may be from the ‘wrong’ country, or have unacceptable opinions, for example, are as common as they are understandable. But the vetting process is not designed to exclude people with certain types of ancestry, or encourage groupthink by filtering out all but a narrow set of beliefs. Moreover, recent changes to the vetting process means that individuals with a parent born outside the UK can apply. The key is that candidates are open and honest; even a criminal conviction will not necessarily preclude the award of clearance. The process is all about risk identification and mitigation – not a moral judgment, or the imposition of a set of narrow ‘in-group’ qualifying criteria.
There have been a range of measures across government to demystify vetting and encourage candidates from more diverse backgrounds to apply for roles with higher levels of security clearance. For example, the Cabinet Office, which is responsible for both GSCs and security vetting, has published a series of videos (see below) aimed at demystifying vetting – with a particular focus on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Vetting officers who carry out interviews have received additional training to modify some of the more invasive questions they need to ask, to make them more sensitive to EDI-type issues. And other initiatives have targeted minority groups of civil servants who would not ordinarily apply for DV as a result of myths that DV is ‘unobtainable’ for certain ethnic minority communities.
It is not difficult to see why NCA lawyers need a high level of vetting. They are at the forefront of the UK’s fight to protect the public from serious and organised crime. They work closely with operational colleagues to make sure they are operating lawfully in a way that can have a maximum disruptive effect on organised crime groups. They help the Agency carry out successful covert and overt operations, clandestine disruption tactics and sensitive data sharing with domestic and international partners. They also defend the Agency in a range of civil litigation and make sure it complies with commercial law. All of this can involve frequent access to Secret and Top Secret material, often on dedicated secure networks.
As the NCA enters its 12th year as the UK’s agency for combatting serious organised crime, its mission is becoming more challenging. The range, volume and complexity of criminality is increasing, and the NCA is growing and shifting its focus more to only the most serious criminals. It is mission critical to this that the NCA has the best lawyers. Numerous studies have stated the obvious, which is that if certain minority groups are or feel excluded, organisations suffer from groupthink and do not always get the best candidates for the role. The NCA wants ambitious lawyers from a wide variety of backgrounds to help it fulfil its mission over the next decade, and we want candidates to be inspired – not intimidated – by the process for joining us.
Those wishing to discuss what it’s really like to work for the NCA as a lawyer – including issues regarding vetting – can call 07545 205377. Obtaining DV clearance opens up possibilities for employment elsewhere in the Civil Service that require a high level of vetting.
Lawyers needed to fight serious organised crime: The National Crime Agency is looking for lawyers – including barristers – to join its in-house legal team. Click here to find out more. Applications close at 11:55 pm on Monday 16 June 2025. To find out what it's like working in the NCA's legal team, please see 'A day in the life of a National Crime Agency lawyer'.
Useful websites on UK government vetting
The National Crime Agency leads the UK’s fight to cut serious and organised crime. Find out more at: www. nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk
The work of the National Crime Agency (NCA), like that of the intelligence agencies, requires the highest levels of government security clearance (GSC). There is evidence that the vetting process required to obtain these levels of clearance deters applicants from some backgrounds. We are aware of this and are determined to change this situation, because having a diverse and inclusive workplace – the best people for the job no matter what their background – is essential if the NCA is to take the fight against serious and organised crime to the next level.
There are three main levels of national security vetting: Counter Terrorist Check (CTC), Security Check (SC) and Developed Vetting (DV). Most government departments require CTC as a matter of course where an individual is to work in close proximity to public figures or requires unescorted access to military, civil, industrial or commercial establishments assessed to be at particular risk of terrorist attack. An SC will be carried out where an individual will have long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to assets classified as Secret. Finally, DV (the highest level of vetting) is required where the individual will have long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to Top Secret material.
The NCA requires all of its lawyers to have SC as a minimum, with an expectation that most will go through DV at some point in their career. Due to the exceptional nature of the NCA’s mission, the Agency applies ‘enhanced’ versions of both types of security clearance, which means that additional questions are asked in the application form and interview.
There is no getting around the fact that the process for obtaining DV (and, to a lesser extent, SC) can feel intrusive. Everybody feels this way during the process. This is normal. The application forms and interviews for the more intrusive DV are designed to assess character and personal circumstances by delving into topics such as:
It is easy to see why questions about these areas of peoples’ lives make many feel uncomfortable. Fears that somebody’s ancestors may be from the ‘wrong’ country, or have unacceptable opinions, for example, are as common as they are understandable. But the vetting process is not designed to exclude people with certain types of ancestry, or encourage groupthink by filtering out all but a narrow set of beliefs. Moreover, recent changes to the vetting process means that individuals with a parent born outside the UK can apply. The key is that candidates are open and honest; even a criminal conviction will not necessarily preclude the award of clearance. The process is all about risk identification and mitigation – not a moral judgment, or the imposition of a set of narrow ‘in-group’ qualifying criteria.
There have been a range of measures across government to demystify vetting and encourage candidates from more diverse backgrounds to apply for roles with higher levels of security clearance. For example, the Cabinet Office, which is responsible for both GSCs and security vetting, has published a series of videos (see below) aimed at demystifying vetting – with a particular focus on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Vetting officers who carry out interviews have received additional training to modify some of the more invasive questions they need to ask, to make them more sensitive to EDI-type issues. And other initiatives have targeted minority groups of civil servants who would not ordinarily apply for DV as a result of myths that DV is ‘unobtainable’ for certain ethnic minority communities.
It is not difficult to see why NCA lawyers need a high level of vetting. They are at the forefront of the UK’s fight to protect the public from serious and organised crime. They work closely with operational colleagues to make sure they are operating lawfully in a way that can have a maximum disruptive effect on organised crime groups. They help the Agency carry out successful covert and overt operations, clandestine disruption tactics and sensitive data sharing with domestic and international partners. They also defend the Agency in a range of civil litigation and make sure it complies with commercial law. All of this can involve frequent access to Secret and Top Secret material, often on dedicated secure networks.
As the NCA enters its 12th year as the UK’s agency for combatting serious organised crime, its mission is becoming more challenging. The range, volume and complexity of criminality is increasing, and the NCA is growing and shifting its focus more to only the most serious criminals. It is mission critical to this that the NCA has the best lawyers. Numerous studies have stated the obvious, which is that if certain minority groups are or feel excluded, organisations suffer from groupthink and do not always get the best candidates for the role. The NCA wants ambitious lawyers from a wide variety of backgrounds to help it fulfil its mission over the next decade, and we want candidates to be inspired – not intimidated – by the process for joining us.
Those wishing to discuss what it’s really like to work for the NCA as a lawyer – including issues regarding vetting – can call 07545 205377. Obtaining DV clearance opens up possibilities for employment elsewhere in the Civil Service that require a high level of vetting.
Lawyers needed to fight serious organised crime: The National Crime Agency is looking for lawyers – including barristers – to join its in-house legal team. Click here to find out more. Applications close at 11:55 pm on Monday 16 June 2025. To find out what it's like working in the NCA's legal team, please see 'A day in the life of a National Crime Agency lawyer'.
Useful websites on UK government vetting
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