ACS (Approved Contractor Scheme)

So Secure Limited prides itself on operating at the highest level and our ACS (Approved Contractor Scheme) accreditation proves this. To qualify for the accreditation every company taking part is subject to a stringent vetting and auditing process, this is undertaken by the SIA (Security Industry Authority). The purpose of vetting and auditing is to look at each individual process we have in place to ensure compliance with relevant regulations set out in the ACS criteria. We are pleased to say that we passed with flying colors.

What is the ACS?

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 requires the SIA to establish a “system of inspection for providers of security services, under which those organisations who satisfactorily meet the agreed standards may be registered as approved, and may advertise themselves as such“.

In 2006 the Government, through it’s the regulatory body for the security industry, launched the Approved Contractor Scheme. This accreditation was aimed at security companies already operating to the highest standards.

The objective of the SIA’s Approved Contractor scheme is to raise performance standards and to assist the private security industry in developing new opportunities. The scheme is voluntary and was developed in consultation with representatives from across the industry; it only covers those parts of the industry that are regulated by the SIA and the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (as amended).

Choosing an ACS accredited supplier for the provision of your contract security services will help you meet your security obligations to your staff, shareholders and other stakeholders.

Approved contractors are committed to customer service and the compulsory licensing of our staff.

Our customers can be confident that every private security operative deployed on their premises will be working within the law.

1. Clear Customer Focus and Increased Flexibility – You can expect effective customer-focused procedures in place to overcome any issues that arise in service delivery. The ACS Standard encourages service customisation, rather than ‘off-the-shelf’ packages. This will help ensure that services delivered more closely reflect your precise requirements.
2. Continuity of Service – Approved Contractors are therefore able to offer greater flexibility and operational effectiveness when supplying security services.
3. Best Practice & Continuity of Quality – You can be confident that our employment practices have been extensively investigated in respect of quality assurance and best practice. This gives us a greater accountability for our staff, practices and systems. Ensuring our KPI (Key Performance Indicators) system is of a higher standard than non-approved contractors.
4. Leadership & Innovation – The ACS is a progressive quality initiative. It’s also a voluntary scheme. This  means we have been assessed to be highly responsive to change and swift to adopt new methods and best practices.
5. The Extended Police Family – The status of the ACS is recognised by the police and offers the potential for enhanced working relationships. The aim is to provide practical benefits through ‘joined-up’ police, business and community initiatives.
6. Insurance – In certain circumstances we have been informed by our clients that having an ACS approved contractor has a positive effect on insurance premiums.