1. Security Industry Authority Approved Contractor Scheme

2. 2 What is the scheme about? Industry designed quality assurance scheme Intended to –raise industry standards and conditions, plus promote best practise –recognise best practise organisations Creating opportunity through –enhanced capabilities –greater buyer understanding and preference –facilitating new partnerships

3. 3 What will ACS mean? Allows our company to demonstrate that –it has reached nationally recognised quality standards –it is committed to the compulsory licensing of staff Provides assurances about the capability of our organisation and systems for existing customers new customers general public authorities insurers

4. 4 Overall shape of ACS Developed in collaboration with the private security industry Open to those parts of the industry that are regulated by licensing One scheme with sector specific approval A single level of approval (either pass or fail) Application to ACS is voluntary

5. 5 Scheme philosophy Accessible for all sizes of organisation –micro, small, medium and large Voluntary, with no obligation –will stand on its own merits Will meet the requirements of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 –including standards and best practise

6. 6 Regulated (licensed) sectors Manned Guarding –Security Guarding –Door Supervision –Close Protection –Cash and Valuables in Transit –CCTV in Public Space Surveillance Vehicle Immobilising Key Holding

7. 7 Scheme identity and benefits This tells them how well we do it. This tells buyers what we do.

8. 8 Benefits for our company Operational flexibility –can deploy staff with licence application in process –by issuing staff with an LDN (Licence Dispensation Notice) Create opportunity –be part of a nationally recognised scheme –be recognised by other authorities (Extended Police Family) Business opportunity –enjoy independent endorsement and promotion –differentiate our business from others –demonstrate our quality commitment –illustrate our customer focus

9. 9 Benefits for our customers Ensures continuity of service –be confident that the supplier has a resourceful and flexible organisation Endorses good employment practice –acknowledges supplier compliance to licensing legislation Enhances the reach of the security network –recognition from the Police and other authorities Receive high levels of customer service

10. 10 Approval materials Brochure for security buyers Plaque for supplier company premises Lapel pin to wear on site

11. 11 Licence Dispensation Notice ACS organisations may deploy unlicensed staff provided that –training completed –licence applied for and application acknowledged –on request, operatives can produce the LDN, a proof of identity and licence application acknowledgement –no more than 15% of total licensable staff operate under licence dispensation –staff do not work on assignments where restrictions apply (children or vulnerable adults) –LDN will be withdrawn immediately if a licence application is refused or withdrawn

12. 12 Licence Dispensation Notice Organisations without ACS cannot legally deploy staff who do not possess (i.e. physically hold) the appropriate licence Records must be maintained as to –staff issued with LDNs –date issued and date of expiry Misuse of LDN facility may result in –withdrawal of dispensation facility –rejection of annual re-registration –immediate withdrawal of Approved Status

13. 13 Building awareness The SIA is promoting ACS to buyers and users of private security services within –public sector local government central government –commercial sectors –not for profit organisations

14. 14 Awareness activities Communications include –press advertising –journalist briefings, press releases and articles –direct mail campaigns –e-mail bulletins and website updates –brochures and newsletters –exhibitions and seminars –road shows and other events –partner / shared initiatives

15. 15 Further information from the SIA available on the SIA website at –www.the-sia.org.uk/acs or speak to the ACS team by calling –020 7025 4190 or email the ACS team at –ACSenquiries@the-sia.org.uk