Close Protection Companies - How do you complain?

[mally]

following other threads, does anyone know the official procedure for complaining about Close Protection companies that offer training


I understand they should be registered with the sia and suppose they should/must have guidelines and complaint procedures.

I hope to make this known on the website for all to be aware.

thanks

Mally

[co19]

Each company should have a complaints procedure, so that should be your initial start point, then your next step should be the SIA.

[littlewoman]

Companies do not need to register with the sia as companies don't need a licence only individuals do. I have reported a security company (that did say they did CP but have now removed that from its website) to the SIA, as apart from being run by someone with no SIA licence and a criminal record, they claimed they had ACS status when they did not and claimed they were ISO accredited when they were not. They also claim all their staff are trained to SITO standards and SITO doesn't exist any more. Whilst the company have removed their claim about ACS they are still operating and no-one has been prosecuted.

In short there is little that the SIA can do about companies unless they are ACS registered or are employing unlicensed people. Even then they seem to do very little.

[mally]

The sia have a page which shows UK Close protection training Providers ( shown at http://www.closeprotectionworld.co.u...iders-sia.html )

I wonder how company's get on that list. ( Training Providers - Security Industry Authority )


I've also seen the following on the sia website.


The SIA, our awarding body partners and the qualifications regulatory authorities take malpractice* issues around training very seriously.

We work closely together to resolve them through agreed processes and protocols for sharing information. If you suspect that malpractice has taken place within a training centre a report should be sent to the relevant awarding body and qualifications regulatory authority (details are provided below). Their compliance departments will undertake an investigation and, if appropriate, take action. Individuals can be confident that any reports will be treated with confidence.

Any information we receive concerning training malpractice will be forwarded to these organisations.


In order for the awarding bodies and qualifications regulatory authorities to investigate they need a certain amount of information. It is helpful if the following details are provided:

• Who - names of any individuals suspected of involvement
• What - a description of the alleged malpractice
• Where - the training provider suspected of involvement and the location of any training / assessment sites (some have multiple sites)
• When - times and dates associated with the alleged malpractice

Close Protection Awarding Bodies

• Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College
• City & Guilds
• Edexcel

Qualifications Regulatory Authorities

• England - Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) Information regarding suspected malpractice can also be sent via email - please use 'Compliance' as the subject header.
• Scotland - Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
  Information regarding suspected malpractice should be sent to the Business Manager, SQA Accreditation Unit.
• Wales - Department for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DELLS)

While it is impossible to prevent malpractice it is reassuring to know that the majority of allegations that are investigated turn out to be unfounded. The number of cases of malpractice is no higher on average than any other sector. Where cases have turned out to be genuine, appropriate action has been taken. Some licences have been revoked and centre approval has been removed from a small number of training providers.

The sia, the qualifications regulatory authorities and awarding bodies see protecting the integrity of the licence and the credibility of the related qualifications as crucial to realising the benefits both bring to individuals, customers and employers.


*Malpractice is defined as any deliberate activity, neglect, default or other practice that compromises the integrity of the assessment process and / or the validity of certificates.

[littlewoman]

You can complain about training providers.
There is no mechanism for complaining about companies who only provide security and not training.
I didn't realise the initial question was referring to training providers.

[mally]

Agh sorry, yep I'm looking more at training providers at this instance as I keep hearing about training related issues. I've modified the first post to add training.

[hippy]

All training providers provide their training in accordance with a national organisation, such as City & Guilds and have to prove to that organisation that their training is up to the required standard. So find out who and complain to them..

[lufc67]

Hi Guys,

New to the forum and came across this topic, training providers DO NOT have to be approved by one of the awarding bodies i.e. Edexcel, BCUC, NOCN or C&G etc.

If they are delivering licensing courses in most of our cases CP courses, the delegate who is undertaking the training must ensure the training provider is approved and accredited to one of the awarding bodies, the course must be at level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and approved by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA). Only when this criterion is met and upon successful completion will a delegate be able to apply for their licence.

The sia will only be interested in training providers who have approval to deliver SIA courses, the complaints procedure is quite simple; find out who the awarding body is or is alleged to be, and report malpractice directly to them not to the SIA. Info can be found on this link:
Training Malpractice - Security Industry Authority

Training providers who are offering CP courses will not always inform delegates that their course is not approved; they are getting away with it because prospective delegates are not asking the correct questions:

1. Who is the awarding body?
2. What qualification will I get?
3. How long is the course? (The guide is 150 hours; this should be the minimum class contact time)
4. Do I get my First Aid at work Certificate? (Mandatory requirement)
5. What is the background of the instructors?

The list can go on and on, before you part with your hard earned cash invest some time in finding out information about the provider, there is a vast amount of experience on this forum - use it guys!

Hope some of this has been helpful.

[Gabi]

If the complaint is about a Training Company, then complain to their awarding bodies or association who accredit their courses, regardless whether they are sia approved courses. Most courses unless it is the Company's own certificate, normally would be accredited by some academic body or association.

Any Security company providing CP services or services which have to be Licenced, all of the Directors of that company have to have a non frontline licence and have to go through similar checks as frontline. The company in question, find out who the Directors are and see if they hold a licence by going onto the SIA website. If they don't then complain to the SIA. Companies house will tell you who the main Director/Shareholder is.

In many cases the awarding bodies/SIA won't do much unless there are several complaints about the organisation.

Alternatively try sorting out the problem with the company in the first place by going to the head honcho.

If it is with regard to certificates, there has been some problems with City and Guilds and Edexcel recently. Some people have been waiting months for them. If it is to do with Certificates I would go to the awarding body direct and if no joy, go to either the Dean or Chairman, if you get no satisfaction with the person you are dealing with. Not all problems may be the actual training providers fault, so be aware of that.

I hope this helps

Gabi C.
Nemesis Group

[eddyedwards41]

I am no expert

Try your local citizens advice burro or even training standards. It really depends on what you want to complain about if you want to make a meal out of it try Watch Dog you now the people from the telly.