SIA ACS: a catalyst for change

The Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) could become the catalyst for the creation of a profitable and professional private security industry. This vision was set out at the SIA’s launch in April 2003 (‘From aspiration springs reality’, SMT, May 2003, pp20-26) by (then) chief executive John Saunders.

Of itself, licensing will only provide a platform that ensures a level playing field for contractors and clients. If the Regulator is going to make its mark in terms of helping to build a successful industry, it requires the buy-in of the key stakeholders – the security companies, their employees and their clients.

Through the harnessing of stakeholder input, the Regulator can use the ACS as a vehicle for driving up standards. Failure to grasp this opportunity will simply allow the status quo to remain.

As the ACS enrols its 344th member company, it’s very much alive and well after a painful conception. Late last year there was a rigorous debate on the shape and form of the ACS. A Regulatory Impact Assessment resulted in the current Scheme.

Andrew Shephard – the assistant director responsible for the ACS – told Infologue.com: “The Scheme has demonstrated that it’s accessible to every sector and size of company in the regulated security industry.”

ACS: the scale and importance

Anecdotal evidence is indicating that both security companies and end users are beginning to understand and accept the sheer scale and importance of the Regulator’s ACS. The ACS was once seen by security companies as having only a single advantage – under certain conditions, the right to deploy a percentage of their workforce who didn't hold a licence. However, security companies are now reporting additional benefits.

Andrew Shephard also had this to say in conversation with Infologue.com: “According to figures taken at the time of approval, around 85,000 licensable operatives work for Approved Contractors. We estimate that the total licensable population across all licensable activity is 180,000. In other words, nearly 50% of the industry’s operatives are working for an Approved Contractor. That figure might even be higher because of post-approval growth. Coverage is particularly high in the security guarding sector, but lower for door supervisors and vehicle immobilisers.”

At present, there are of course two ways of achieving ACS accreditation – the Standard Route and the Fast-Track Route. The former involves attaining the necessary standards through inspection of the SIA ACS Workbook. This method evaluates the performance of a business in nine separate areas when set against the pre-determined ACS standards.

The Fast-Track Route requires an aspirant company to have the UKAS-accredited ISO 9001 Standard plus British Standards relevant to the security sector (including BS 7858 and BS 7499). The applicant company is required to complete the SIA ACS self-assessment Workbook. The applicant company must also demonstrate an appointment has been made with one of the eight approved assessing bodies, who must complete their assessment against the ACS Workbook within a year.

There are further criteria, including the percentage of employees licensed and the ‘fit-and-proper status’ of the management of a given security business.

Andrew Shephard is quick to acknowledge that approvals via the Fast-Track route carry a higher risk. “There may be cases where the applicants are approved, but have not fully understood all the requirements of the ACS Workbook.” This is further evidenced by intelligence from a variety of sources.

Shephard continues: “We have logged a number of reports of non-conformance by Approved Contractors, not including the reports produced by the assessing bodies. These may or may not prove to be correct and/or serious. Some may be just rumour or hearsay, but they are all assessed and action taken if appropriate. Most of these reports concern Fast-Track Approved Contractors, but this is not surprising given the relative volumes of Fast-Track and Standard approvals.” The current breakdown is 53 Standard Route contractors and 285 companies who have qualified via the Fast-Track Route.

SIA statistics at a glance

As at the end of February 2007, 94 Fast-Track companies had been subjected to a full assessment. One can draw the conclusion that only 147 (53 Standard plus 94 Fast-Track) can claim true accreditation to the ACS.

Contrary to popular belief, the ACS is taking action where and when required against errant members. One member of the ACS – Security International Group – had its authority to issue Licence Dispensation Notices withdrawn last September. There is concern as to the robustness of the Fast-Track route which has been highlighted in intelligence received by Infologue.com On closer examination, Infologue.com found that most anecdotal examples of lack of conformance related to Fast-Track companies that had not yet been privy to their own ACS inspection.

During these past few weeks, the first of the ACS Annual Reviews required by the Secretary of State has taken place, looking at:

• routes to ACS approval – considering the Fast-Track, Standard and Passport Routes;
• the ACS Workbook and ACS eligibility requirements – reviewing how well the mechanics of the ACS are working.

The review is being conducted by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), and should further enhance the value of the ACS.

Interestingly, one of the most frequent comments made to Infologue.com is the high number and quality of the eight ACS-approved assessing bodies. “Across the eight organisations we have similar pass rates, and similar improvement needs being determined,” states Andrew Shephard. “To ensure consistency and Best Practice, we also conduct quarterly Community of Interest meetings.”

Infologue.com fully believes that, if given the chance to develop, the ACS can only continue to grow in stature.