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The S.I.A. Approved Contractor Scheme
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has introduced the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for companies providing a wide range of private security services. It is intended that membership of the ACS will provide purchasers and the public with confidence that a security firm is reputable and has adopted good practices in all key areas of its business.
While the licensing of individuals employed in the Security Industry is mandatory, seeking to become an Approved Contractor is a voluntary decision. It is intended that the Approved Contractor Accreditation Mark will be widely regarded as a mark of quality. To attain Approved Contractor status, organisations will need to demonstrate to an independent assessor that they have met quality standards designed specifically for the private security industry.
We can advise you in the preparation of your application for submission to the S.I.A.
The ACS Standard
It is important to note that the ACS Standard encompasses all aspects of the organisation’s business operations. It takes a holistic view of how well an organisation is managed, how effectively it services its customers, how well it treats its employees and how it protects the public at large.
The ACS Standard is based upon widely recognised business improvement models: ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Standard and the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model™. The Scheme also incorporates a number of Codes of Practice applicable to the private security industry, as well as other management processes that are considered to be ‘best practice’.
The ACS is a distinct accreditation, so organisations do not need to be certified to ISO 9001:2000 or any other standard in order to meet the ACS requirements. However, it is generally accepted that certification to ISO 9001:2000 is a useful foundation when seeking ACS accreditation.
Operational benefits for providers
Approved Contractors will be given special dispensation to deploy a small proportion of their security staff during the period when their licence applications are being processed. This is intended to help Approved Contractors to achieve greater flexibility and utilisation of resources. One of the criteria for becoming an Approved Contractor is that the organisation must achieve a designated minimum percentage of its security staff licensed at all times.
Note: Dispensation will not be available for assignments involving children or vulnerable adults.
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