As you would expect, Security Industry Authority chairman Baroness Ruth Henig has been privy to the final draft of the Hampton Review, a document that should see the light of day in the very near future.
Apparently, said document makes it very clear that the licensing regime now in place “has without question reduced criminality in the security sector”. Thr Baroness told an expectant first morning audience at The Security Institute’s Annual Conference: “We can all welcome this finding. It was, after all, one of the main reasons for introducing regulation in the first place.”
However, the Hampton Review has, at the same time, made it abundantly clear – in company with other commentators – that now is the time for the Regulator to begin focusing on the training aspect of licensing, and how individuals build up their core competencies.
“As the Hampton Review points out,” explained the Baroness, “obtaining an SIA licence demonstrates knowledge rather than competency. That competency can only be provided by further development once in the role. We have been consulting widely on a more modular approach to training, which would inevitably draw a clearer distinction between basic knowledge and the more developed competencies.”
Assessing the gaps, defining improvements
Over the past few months and more, the SIA has been listening intently to what industry practitioners feel has changed in that part of the sector which it regulates, in turn defining where the gaps lie and where improvements are needed. “This has resulted in us being able to draw up reefreshed requirements,” stated the Baroness, “with the desired aim of moving to unit-based qualifications on a core and options basis.”
For example, the specification has altered significantly for door supervisors due the various changes to working practices these past few years. A new door supervisor specification – encompassing physical skills training – will be published by June 2010. “It will also include more First Aid content,” urged the Baroness, “knowledge of how to deal effectively with 14-to-18-year-olds and some terrorism awareness instruction.”
It’s expected that the content of other regulated sectors’ core competencies will see only “minor changes”, but across all licensable sectors new competencies will include a core course and then specialist training in addition to conflict management tuition.
Speaking towards the end of her 30-minute delivery, the Baroness explained: “The Hampton Review makes it perfectly clear that all of this work needs to be underpinned by working alongside members of the industry and buyers to formalise the difference between the basic licensing standards and the additional demands of other external standards.”
The Baroness would like to see everyone involved develop a consensus opinion as to how responsibilities should be shared out in this area between the industry, the SIA and other bodies such as Skills for Security. “I know this is one area where some of The Security Institute’s members have particular expertise and experience. I would welcome your contribution to this particular agenda.”
The other key areas of work scheduled to occupy the Regulators’ time over the next year or so include business licensing for vehicle immobilisers, the re-tendering of the Regulator’s Managed Service Provider contract, the licensing of private investigators and bailiffs and establishing the regulatory regime in Northern Ireland.
Business licensing for vehicle immobilisers
Following a feasibility study conducted by the Regulator, the Home Office has been consulting on this issue (as stated at May’s SIA Stakeholder Conference in Manchester). That consultation period ended on 23 July. 600 responses were received, and they’re now being worked through.
“In due course we may well be asked to introduce this additional regulation,” said Baroness Henig, “beginning with vehicle immobilisation companies in the first instance.”
This issue has become a high priority area in its own right as far as the Government’s concerned. A spate of high profile cases involving ‘shady’ wheel clamping are to blame, not to mention the fact that MPs are being deluged with complaints from constituents. “It is entirely possible that we may see legislation in this area some time between November and next May.”
Of course, it would be true to say that business licensing for vehicle immobilisation firms has much wider implications for the private security industry. The principle of licensing firms could be extended beyond this sector. “Many in the industry think that this would be a good thing and strongly support it,” explained the Baroness.
“As to how this develops we shall simply have to wait and see. Particularly so if there’s a change of Government. At the moment, it’s not clear that the appetite would be there if a new Government comes in and is less committed to regulation.”
Managed Service Provider retendering
Under European Union competition rules, the SIA has to re-tender the contract for its Managed Service Provider within the next year. At the same time, the Home Office is now exploring the possibilities of a wider project that would bring together and integrate some of the Regulator’s processes with other public bodies (such as the Criminal Record Bureau and the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
“There may well be big savings to be made and efficiencies for the industry,” commented the Baroness. “On the other hand, the integration of IT schemes can be very tricky. The whole process can go horribly wrong if it’s not rigorously managed.”
The Baroness was honest enough to admit that, at this point in time, she doesn’t really know how the whole scheme might be implemented. “We are determined to make sure that we safeguard and maintain the quality of the processes we’ve established to date, not to mention the high standards of service delivery that we now achieve on a regular basis.”
There is a definite realisation at 90 High Holborn that no-one wishes to see a return to the unacceptable problems experienced in late 2007 and early 2008. “We shall do everything we can,” said the Baroness, “to keep our services running smoothly and to high specifications. We also want to deliver the improvements to the system that we have promised in order to help those who use it.”
Private investigators and bailiffs on the radar
The licensing of private investigators has been under consideration for many years. Slowly, matters are beginning to move forward. “There will be further policy and procedural developments in this coming year to prepare the way ahead for the licensing of this sector.”
As far as the licensing of bailiffs (aka enforcement agents) is concerned, in the coming year the Regulator is scheduled to work with the Minister of Justice to define the scope of the overall project as well as formulate the associated business case for introducing regulation.
The Baroness stated: “One area here requiring particular care will be the establishment of a strong complaints system under the aegis of the Ministry of Justice. We do not want to repeat the problems we experienced with the licensing of vehicle immobilisers, where we were not able to deal with a range of complaints about their behaviour and mode of procedure.”
Last but by no means least, the Regulator is due to extend licensing to Northern Ireland from December of this year (the in-house door supervisor sector follows on in April). Roadshows were held across Northern Ireland and they were, by all accounts, well received with support from the industry, relevant partners and the police.
Bringing regulation into line across the UK
“This process is going to bring regulation into line across the whole of the UK,” enthused the Regulator’s chairman. “It will help to raise standards and enhance the levels of public protection in Northern Ireland.”
The Baroness signed off prior to Professor Chris Kemp’s discourse on career pathway development with a very important message. “What I am even more strongly convinced of now than when I started in 2007 is that your input and collaboration will be crucial to our success. The stronger the partnerships we can establish to deliver regulation, the more effective that regulation will be.”
In a similar vein, the Baroness concluded: “We all share the same agenda. We differ in opinion as to the best way of delivering that agenda, but it’s obvious that we all have an important role to play.”
