is this just for atc or will i have to do it as ccf
I am a CI with an SC from my job but my OC informs me I now also need a BPSS. I donât do Bader and avoid sharepoint like the plague Why do I need to jump through this hoop they have checked my ID with the CRB,s and DBSâs and all the other security forms they have had off me over the last 38 years. The BPSS is the least useful of all of these and isnât even required by all RAF staff especially the Regiment. CIâs donât normally have free access to RAF stations we usually have to be escorted anyway. This feels like just another waste of our time and effort. The threat is that if I donât do it I will be suspended I am just trying to decide if it is worth it.
The BPSS is the form that proves who you are and that the SC that you have is actually for the correct person.
Multiple facets to address thereâŚ
Firstly, as you have a valid SC from your job you should not need to do BPSS.
Unlike DBS checks for example which are somewhat organisation specific the SC (and other clearance levels) are national. The RAFAC can apply to NSV to get your SC applied here as well.
Mostly likely your OC is simply unaware of this. Your WExO should be able to confirm that your SC can be added to your RAFAC service record.
BPSS is the baseline identity check (amongst other things) which comes before SC - the issue in the RAFAC is that we werenât doing it before SC as we should have been, therefore they could not categorically state that the SC check had been carried out on the correct person; and all staff require at least a BPSS. Your job SC supersedes that and should not have suffered from the RAFAC problem of an incorrect starting point.
Secondly and mostly as an aside - the identity check for the DBS is entirely separate from that required by the MOD. Thatâs unlikely to change.
Finally, part of the purpose of BPSS for all staff is that it should get us towards a time when CIs do not have to be escorted.
But with the DBS you have to supply and have checked mostly the same ID documents and also the SC have to have an ID check and with the DV you have an interview with a trained qualified and competent security officer not some random member of wing. All I can think the BPSS is intended for is New staff with no history or to keep some one at HQAC in a job that doesnât need too much effort from them while producing confusion, inefficiency and demoralisation as has happened to often with this organisation.
Yep, youâre absolutely right. Unfortunately however they are âownedâ by two different departments who have two different requirements. The MOD require BPSS and the DBS require their own ID check form to be completed.
Going forward that is absolutely correct and in the future both separate forms could be completed by the appointed Wing person at the same time from the same set of documents. However, since the MOD have highlighted the lack of proper BPSS process in the past they have now said that all staff - because we have access to MOD establishments - must complete it retrospectively, as a minimum.
Get everyone properly checked and then weâre on safe footing and from then on it will only be needed for new staff.
As I say though, in your case the properly completed SC âoutranksâ the need for BPSS. Wing HQ merely need to apply, via HQAC, to have your SC carried over. That will satisfy the MOD.
Erm⌠it takes not much to do the BPSS.
Just do it and then youâre covered.
If its upsetting you that much. Trust me other admin in this org will upset you more.
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Unfortunately this is the argument used for every new form or âlittle bit of adminâ that will only âtake 5 minutes to doâ.
All of a sudden we have 4.5 billion âsmall pieces of adminâ to do. Itâs like being buried in a pile of leaves - each individual one weighs nothing, but by the time you collect them all together itâs suffocating.
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Tell that to some Wing Commanders!
Just out of interest, Why? What happens if you need to access policy documents, ACTOs Etc? Or need to download a form?
I imagine they get someone else to get it for them 
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Whatâs particularly annoying is when you fill out one round of BPSS paper work⌠then find out when you go to apply for a SC so MOD90 can be issued that there is no trace of your BPSS anywhere and so have to redo it all.
It went off safely for sure - so somewhere has been lost. No record of it at wing or anything. Thatâs a lot of personal information to go missing. Not sure how I feel about that!
I thought the WExO scanned it, dumped it somewhere on MOSS (or similar if theyâve renamed that system now) then shredded the originals.
No idea, I know it got to where it should have gone, but has since disappeared with no record. Maybe it was shredded before anything was done with it!
Stranger things have happened.
My understanding is that it goes to Wing HQ then no further.
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Mine too. Nominated authorities bods check it, scan/copy documents, sign it off, then add to SMS.
Mine got lost 4 times somewhere between the TEST officer and CCFHQ. Was not overly impressed with the lack of data control
I wouldâve reported them to the Information Commissioner.
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Well it certainly isnât really acceptable and frankly embarrassing asking my references to re-submit. I canât exactly say itâs due to incompetence of the ATC handling my personal information⌠So have made up an excuse!
Thereâs everything you need to steal an identity in that pack; passport, drivers license, addressâs, employment details etc etc. We all know whatâs in there. Iâll fill another one out, but Iâll be telling my wing staff officer Iâm not happy, not that itâll make a difference and not that itâs his fault.
Report it formally.
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If you can prove it arrived at your HQ (tracking number from the post office), then report the loss through the chain of command.
If you feel itâs not being taken seriously, then report it to the Information Commissioners Office.
If nothing else, it should force your HQ to sharpen up their admin drills.