The SIA is the security industry body, set up 20 years ago to improve standards, and turn an industry with a poor reputation into something altogether more professional. The SIA covers not only door supervisors, but also a range of associated industries such as cash in transit, security guarding and people managing and operating CCTV systems. Anyone wishing to work in one of these roles will need a SIA licence, which involves a DBS check on criminal records. So, does this mean that people with a conviction in their past are wasting their time applying?
Cost of SIA Accreditation
Getting a SIA licence doesn’t just involve the cost of your DBS check. In order to get a licence, applicants much complete a range of checks and training courses, all of which they pay for themselves. Unsurprisingly, people who have convictions are keen to understand their chances of being granted a licence before starting spending money.
Get Licensed Handbook and Criminal Record Indicator.
The SIA are clear that they don’t just consider people with a squeaky-clean criminal record for SIA licensing. There is a full and very detailed guide on how people with criminal records can get a SIA licence in the “Get Licensed” handbook, which is available on their website.
When making an application for a SIA licence, applicants will be expected to disclose all previous convictions, cautions or warnings, even if these offences are considered spent under any other circumstances. The SIA bases its decision on a range of factors including how serious the offences are, how long ago your offences took place and the sentence or fine you were given for the crime. This is all very complicated, so look at the Criminal Record Indicator tool on the SIA website. Enter the details of your offences, and the site will tell you whether or not you stand a good chance of being awarded a licence.
Mitigation
For people whose case is borderline, that doesn’t automatically mean a refusal either. The SIA call this Consideration of Additional Factors, or CAF. The SIA will write to you, asking you to submit mitigation to support your case and convince them that you are a suitable person to hold a SIA licence.
Mitigation can take a range of forms. Many applicants will submit character references from employers or other people of good standing in the community, or evidence of rehabilitation and lack of other offending after the initial offence. Character referees should state how long they have known you, that they know about the offence, and are still of the opinion that you are of good character. Evidence of rehabilitation could be details of voluntary of community projects which you have been involved in or training you have undertaken. The SIA aren’t interested in the offence or the events leading up to it; they are looking for applicants to demonstrate that they have made a positive change and taken steps to change their lives so that they are unlikely to offend again.
