The Security Industry Authority Approved Contractor Scheme, commonly known as the SIA ACS, is a voluntary quality assurance scheme for organisations providing contracted security services.
The Security Industry Authority Approved Contractor Scheme, commonly known as the SIA ACS, is a voluntary quality assurance scheme for organisations providing contracted security services. It provides a recognised hallmark of quality and demonstrates that an approved contractor meets the SIA’s standards for professionalism, performance and service delivery.
ACS approval provides customers, specifiers and other stakeholders with independent confidence that a security provider is responsibly managed, deploys appropriately licensed personnel and maintains effective systems for delivering consistent and reliable services.
Who Can Apply?
ACS approval is available to eligible organisations providing one or more of the following regulated security activities:
Organisations must first satisfy the SIA’s eligibility and suitability requirements before arranging their independent assessment.
The Standard Route to ACS Approval
SSAIB provides assessments through the standard route to ACS approval. This requires your organisation to complete the SIA’s self assessment workbook before undergoing an independent assessment by a qualified SSAIB assessor.
The assessment considers how your organisation operates in practice and measures its performance against the current ACS standard. It covers areas including:
The assessor will review relevant records, systems and working practices and may visit your head office, control room and a representative sample of operational sites. Interviews may also be undertaken with managers, employees, customers and subcontractors to confirm that your documented arrangements are working effectively.
Relevant British Standards and industry codes of practice will also be considered, including the requirements for screening and vetting personnel under BS 7858.
SSAIB’s Role
SSAIB is an SIA approved assessing body authorised to undertake independent assessments for organisations using the standard route.
Our experienced assessors will review your organisation against the ACS requirements and provide a detailed assessment report identifying good practice, areas for improvement and any improvement needs that must be addressed. The completed report is also submitted to the SIA, which retains responsibility for making the final decision on ACS approval.
Once approved, organisations undergo an annual assessment to confirm that they continue to meet the required standard and maintain effective operational and management arrangements.
Benefits of ACS Approval
Achieving SIA Approved Contractor status can provide your organisation with several important benefits:
The scheme is designed to apply to organisations of different sizes and structures, provided they can demonstrate that they meet the required standards.
Begin Your ACS Assessment with SSAIB
Whether you are applying for ACS approval for the first time or require an annual assessment to maintain your existing approval, SSAIB can provide an experienced, professional and impartial assessment service.
Contact our team to discuss the standard route and begin your ACS assessment journey at ACS@SSAIB.co.uk