SIA publishes outcome of the review of its Approved Contractor Scheme

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has announced the key changes from the latest review of its flagship Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for private security businesses. The changes will take effect on 1 April 2019.

The ACS was established in 2006 with a stated purpose ‘to protect the public and to maintain and improve standards in the private security industry'. The ACS has undergone a number of reviews but this latest review took a root and branch look at the scheme.

Evidence from the extensive consultation suggested that the SIA did not need to make fundamental changes to the scheme. However, it was clear from the responses there were opportunities to make improvements.

The changes that have been made are rooted in the feedback from the consultation. They include:

An update to the standard to place more of an emphasis on service delivery and less of an emphasis on processes. This will help businesses to drive improvement to the service that they provide for customers. The new ACS standard will be mandatory from 1 April 2019. All approved contractors have until this date to ensure they are ready to be assessed against the indicators in the new self-assessment workbook (SAW).

A revised Self-Assessment Workbook (SAW). This contains the quality indicators that approved contractors must demonstrate have been met. The SAW has been streamlined and made clearer and easier to navigate. Go to the SIA website to view the new SAW and a Summary of the High-Level changes to the SAW.

A revised eligibility and "fit and proper" criteria to ensure only sound, sustainable and credible companies are able to join the scheme. The enhanced scrutiny will give clients and local enforcement partners the assurance that they are working with some of the best run businesses in the industry.

A firmer approach with PAYE. Approved contractors must give justification and evidence as to why their staff are not PAYE. This will help ensure that businesses are employing staff on the right basis, ensuring compliance with tax and employment Law as well as making sure that employees of approved contractors enjoy proper employment rights.

The SIA is revising its approach to how it markets the ACS and provides support for businesses. This will include more support, via a resource centre, for applicant and existing businesses to meet or exceed minimum ACS requirements.

The SIA has published a detailed briefing on the changes resulting from the review in a special edition of ACS update.

Since the review was concluded two key developments have taken place which will benefit Approved Contractors:

Crown Commercial Service, through whose commercial agreements £13bn of public sector procurement spend is channelled, have agreed that membership of the Approved Contractors Scheme will be a mandatory requirement of becoming a supplier on Lot 1 A of their major Facilities Management (FM) Marketplace agreement in England & Wales.

The revised ACS is being endorsed publicly by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), giving a clear steer to buyers of security that approved contractors are preferred by police forces.

SIA Director of Operations and Standards, Stephen McCormick said:

"Since the ACS scheme was launched in 2006 we have made incremental changes which have ensured the standard has been raised. 

"During this review we consulted extensively with approved contractors and the wider private security industry to fundamentally test the integrity of the ACS and its ability to drive improvement. Our evidence tells us that the scheme has achieved this aim and has had a transformational effect in driving up standards within the industry.

"We are building on a successful quality standard and have made a number of key changes which will strengthen the scheme.

"Our aim for the future of the ACS is a growing partnership with private security industry businesses that demonstrates the value and contribution they make to UK PLC."

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:

The SIA is hosting a series of events to explain in detail the outcomes of the Review of ACS. All approved contractors are encouraged to attend to be the first to know and understand the changes and fully assess the impact it will have on their business. Each event will include a networking lunch.

The events will be hosted on the following dates and locations:

Wednesday 3 October - Belfast

Tuesday 9 October - Glasgow

Tuesday 16 October - Bristol

Tuesday 23 October - Leeds

Thursday 25 October - Birmingham

Tuesday 30 October - London

Please note that due to high levels of interest, we have to limit individual companies to two delegates per event. To register please visit the SIAwebsite.

TheApproved Contractor Schemeis voluntary and exists to raise performance standards. To be an Approved Contractor a business needs to meet a sector-specific approval based on a relevant set of qualifying criteria that is independently assessed.

You can find out more about the findings of the review by visiting the ACS Review portal:www.pyetait.com/ACSReview

Further information:

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of thePrivate Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA's main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit:www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk. The SIA is also on Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (@SIAuk).

The Authority may approve the terms in which a person who is for the time being registered under section 14 as an approved provider of security industry services may hold himself out as so registered

Media enquiriesonlyplease contact:

Security Industry Authority

0300 123 9869

media.enquiries@sia.gsi.gov.uk