Securi-Check launched: an alternative solution to BS 7858

The Securi-Check screening standard developed by The Security Watchdog “offers guidelines for the robust security screening of individuals to be employed in an environment where the safety and security of people, goods and property is a requirement of the employer’s operation.” It covers all levels of staff, including those on TUPE transfer arrangements.

Prepared in conjunction with contractor Securiplan – who’ll be screening staff against Securi-Check’s standards from 1 February – following consultations involving Camberford Law, Groupama, QBE Insurance and Sutton Specialist Risks, the standard is an alternative to BS 7858 for contractors involved in the SIA’s licensing roll-out, which began on 10 January.

“There are many clients who want much faster corporate screening than BS 7858 can offer in its present form,” said Watchdog director Susie Thomson, who looks after the screening for Securiplan’s officers. “Securi-Check offers that. This doesn’t mean it’s less rigorous, though.”

Securi-Check includes a criminality and financial probity check (hitherto not a requirement of BS 7858), proof of residence and identity checks, a right to work in the UK check and a thorough examination of the past three years’ employment references.

A matrix of acceptable and unacceptable risks has been defined according to the check and the issue involved. For example, if an officer has been prone to erratic address movements, anything up to three changes of abode in one year would be an acceptable risk, backed by a full (documented) explanation. Anything over that number of moves with no reason as to why would be deemed an unacceptable risk.

The Watchdog is insistent that the screening controller should operate a systematic administrative system which ensures that key stages are continually reviewed for each provisional employee throughout the eight-week screening period. Key stages are recommended as being the fourth day of training, after one week and six weeks of provisional employment and then again at eight weeks of screening.

‘Credibility Calling’ is the title for this year’s Security Watchdog annual seminar (and luncheon) which takes place at Globe House – the London hq of British American Tobacco – on Tuesday 8 March.

There’s an excellent line-up of speakers, among them SIA chairman Peter Hermitage who’ll be talking about credibility through the eyes of the regulator. Training and development issues are being touched upon by SITO director Stefan Hay before Securiplan’s Caroline Demoulpied explains why the company is fully endorsing the

Securi-Check screening model devised alongside The Security Watchdog.

JSIC chief executive Richard Childs and Andy Drane (deputy chief executive of the SIA) offer their views on how security contractors can continue to gain police confidences before City of London Police assistant chief commissioner Mike Bowron launches into a description of Operation Griffin (a crime reduction project to be covered in-depth in a forthcoming edition of SMT).

Michael Hallowes ends the morning session with an overview of identity fraud and organised immigration crime issues.

Douglas Greenwell (marketing director at Group 4 Securicor), David Evans (the managing director of Legion) and Lynx Security Services md Craig Pickard will look at how their organisations are coping with regulation before Wilson James’ Stuart Lowden discusses the role of The Security Institute in raising standards.

The BSIA’s role in the regulatory process will then be espoused by its chief executive, David Dickinson, and IPSA member companies’ progress reviewed by chairman Patrick Somerville.

The event is neatly rounded off by a Question and Answer session where SIA chief executive John Saunders will be in the ‘hot seat’.

A limited number of delegate places are still available at a cost of £80 per person. Call Jacki Chapman at The Security Watchdog on 01428 728706 for further details.