The Screening Bureau is headed up by The Watchdog's very own in-house lawyer, Jane Pryke, and will actively screen candidates to British Standard 7858. "The outsourcing of screening reduces company overheads, and enables management to focus on its core business, confident that such a vital process lies in professional hands," said Pryke.
"We will regularly appraise senior management of the screening status of their staff within the parameters of the Data Protection Act 1998, and the stipulations laid down in BS 7858." Gold Award member Trident Safeguards has already committed itself to future use of the Bureau, emphasising the importance the company places on this vital function.
The Watchdog intends to bring a new dimension to screening within the manned guarding industry by offering the service to end users. In other words, the Bureau screens the contract staff – on instruction from the client and authorisation of the contractor – and keeps both parties aware of the progress of each member of the team in relation to British Standard 7858. This is particularly useful during any contract changeover involving TUPE staff.
Clients should realise that, by involving an independent screening bureau, the chances of the contractor employing unvetted subcontract staff are virtually eliminated. Meantime, the contractor is free to concentrate on the task of recruiting and training quality staff.
The Watchdog's Screening Bureau follows hard on the heels of the Government's announcement of licensing for contract staff, just one aspect of the Private Security Industry Bill. It will be seen as a very positive development on the long road towards raising public perceptions about the manned guarding industry.
Not only that, the Screening Bureau should see The Security Watchdog well placed to take a major role in the licensing function when the Private Security Industry Authority is established.
Perhaps of more immediate concern, though, is the worrying trend of unvetted subcontract labour being used by certain companies to make up shortfalls in their manning levels. It's in this area in particular that The Security Watchdog's Screening Bureau could have the greatest impact, in particular when it's combined with regular visits by The Watchdog's audit team.
Source
SMT
Postscript
The Security Watchdog currently has a membership of 60 manned guarding companies, as well as a growing Client Consortium and Associate Membership.
