SIA Security

Before 2004 the security industry was open for anybody to find work in. However sometimes this meant that those holding positions of trust and responsibility held criminal records, or had no training to do their job properly. The security industry had a poor reputation and few regarded working in security as a worthwhile career choice. It was acknowledged by the public, the government and the industry itself that the criminal element in private security needed to be removed and standards of professionalism raised. Therefore in 2001, the Private Security Industry Act addressed these issues by allowing for the regulation of licensing the industry through a new regulator, the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry. They are a small independent government body established in 2003, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. As a non-departmental public body with the sponsorship of the Home Office they contribute to the overall aims and objectives of that department. They have two main duties. 

1. The compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry. 

2. The voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed criteria. They work with many different organisations, sharing information, ideas and knowledge which helps them maintain high standards in the work that they do. They have strong relationships with the Home Office, courts in England, Wales and Scotland, local authorities, police forces and the Association of Chief Police Officers in England, Wales and Scotland. 
 

Licensing

The SIA licenses those working in specific sectors of the private security industry in England, Wales, and Scotland, and we will be regulating Northern Ireland in 2009.Licensing ensures that those working in private security are the right people for the job and that they are properly trained and qualified. Whether a licence is needed or not depends on the duties and activities undertaken and not the job title. The activities defined by the Private Security Industry Act 2001 are: Manned guarding, which includes:– Cash and valuables in transit– Close protection– Door supervision– Public space surveillance (CCTV)– Security guarding Immobilisation, restriction and removal of vehicles – which includes wheel clamping Key holding. 

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 also allows them to license private investigators, security consultants and precognition agents, but at the moment these sectors are not licensed. To get an SIA licence, an applicant needs to be over 18, hold a recognised qualification relevant to the security sector, and pass a criminal record and other fit and proper person checks. There is no legal responsibility for the SIA to carry out right to work checks – that is the role of the employer – but they are continually improving their processes to ensure as far as they reasonably can, that SIA licence holders are not illegal workers. For more detailed information on their licensing criteria, read Get Licensed available on their website. www.the-sia.org.uk.

Training and Qualifications

It is important that everyone working in the private security industry has the right skills and knowledge to do their job well and safely. In the past training was a hit and miss affair of varying quality and standards – if any training was taken at all. The SIA, in consultation with the industry, awarding bodies, other government departments and training organisations, set up the criteria required for the courses and qualifications. They do not deliver training courses, provide funding or award qualifications but they do endorse a number of awarding bodies (Highfield ABC), to approve training providers, oversee standards and award qualifications recognised by the SIA. 
A recognised qualification is needed before an application for a licence. This will normally involve knowledge and practical skills training, including role play, followed by exams.