SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) and Its Benefits
What is SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)?
The SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is an internationally-recognised quality assurance scheme to maintain quality standards in UK’s private security industry. It ensures that the ACS accredited security agencies meet independently assessed quality standards and deliver value to all stakeholders.
Besides, the ACS accreditation mark differentiates between private security companies accurately and objectively. SIA ACS is non-prescriptive and helps approved agencies promote best practice by creating a framework and raising performance standards. Since its launch in 2006, several private security agencies in the UK have been accredited under this scheme.
The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) Assessment Criteria
1. Strategy
An SIA approved security company should:
Have a coherent business plan
Actively manage the social and environmental impacts of its security services
Define mechanism to improve the standard of service delivery
Evaluate performance against KPIs
Effectively handle internal and external communications
2. Service Delivery
An SIA approved security company should:
Follow effective service delivery processes
Regularly monitor internal structure for continuous improvement
Ensure continuity of service delivery consistently
Evaluate performance against key customer and consumer indicators
Identify and respond to customers’ needs
3. Commercial Relationship Management
An SIA approved security company should:
Implement responsible trading practices while procuring goods and services
Offer professional customer services
Manage customer relationships professional
Evaluate and improve clients’ perceptions regarding its people, services, and organization
4. Financial Management
An SIA approved security company should:
Use robust practices and techniques to mitigate financial risks
Have sufficient resources to meet its financial obligations
Evaluate performance against key financial indicators
Better understand the marketplace
Follow flexible financial strategies to overcome potential challenges
5. Resource Management
An SIA approved security company should:
Have appropriate premises, facilities, equipment, and procedures to effectively manage business operations
Use advanced management information systems for instant communication
Ensure effective utilization and management of available resources
6. People
An SIA approved security company should:
Hire qualified and competent resources
Follow professional workforce management practices
Support its workforce whenever required
Meet legal obligations in recruitment
Evaluate and improve employees’ performance
7. Leadership
An SIA approved security company should:
Have comprehensive knowledge and competencies to lead a security agency
Execute a well-planned system to recognize and reward excellence
Maintain an ethical business culture and work environment
Continuously improve the effectiveness of its leadership
Evaluate and enhance organizational performance
Benefits of an SIA Approved Security Company
An SIA Approved Contractor delivers premium quality security services in multiple domains. Security agencies accredited under this scheme are committed to impeccable customer service and meet a recognised level of performance.
Some of the benefits to becoming an SIA Approved Contractor include:
Authority to use ACS Accreditation Mark
Inclusion in the register of SIA Approved Contractors
Access to future tender opportunities linked to ACS
Competitive edge over competitors
Customers’ trust and loyalty
High growth opportunities
Enhanced organizational reputation
Customer-centric customer service
Adoption of best work practices.
Start Your Free Trial Today
Please fill in your details and a member of our team will get back to you regarding your enquiry.