FOI release

Do security companies have to vet their staff in line with BS7858

Published 17 November 2023

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1. Request

  1. Are security companies required to vet their security staff in accordance with BS7858?
  2. If so, please provide a link to any relevant documents.

2. Response

I can confirm that the SIA does hold this information.

2.1 Question 1

The SIA is the regulator of the private security industry. We license individuals and not companies. We do not regulate all security companies in the UK. However, the SIA does offer a voluntary, quality assurance scheme called the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS). This scheme is strictly for security companies that operate within the private security industry to join. You can find out more about the Approved Contractor Scheme here: Learn about our Approved Contractor Scheme.

The SIA maintains a Register of Approved Contractors and you can see a list of them here: Register of Approved Contractors.

If a security company is part of the SIA’s Approved Contractor Scheme they are required to work to the BS7858 standard or appropriate industry sector equivalent for screening individuals.

2.2 Question 2

To assist security companies with becoming a part of the SIA’s Approved Contractor Scheme, we have a guidance booklet called the ACS Self-Assessment Workbook. This is available for download here: Applying for ACS approval: guidance and forms. If you go to page 68 of this workbook you will see that pursuant to indicator 6.1.1, it is a requirement of an approved contractor to work to BS7858 standards.

[Reference: FOI 0460]

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