SIA signposts “significant activity” to crack down on training malpractice

An update issued by Pete Easterbrook (interim director of inspections and enforcement) reflects the collaborative effort with the UK qualification regulators and the qualification Awarding Organisations to remove any training malpractice in the private security sector.

In the last three months the SIA has:

*conducted 35 unannounced visits to training providers situated around the country, 12 of those visits being the direct result of information received suggesting training malpractice had taken place

*collaborated with Awarding Organisations who withdrew their approval to deliver licence-linked qualifications from five Training Centres in response to reported malpractice and mismanagement

*issued 81 action points in total to a number of training providers where the SIA has identified that improvement needs to take place

*met with CEOs from the six Awarding Organisations and agreed new procedures to prevent training providers from switching Awarding Organisations after they have had sanctions put in place or approval withdrawn due to malpractice or mismanagement

*explored several new innovations in collaboration with the Awarding Organisations and Ofqual to combat training malpractice

*delivered a training package to all regional investigators to ensure that they have the right resources to assist with any reports of malpractice in a timely, robust and effective manner

*conducted unannounced visits to training providers in Manchester with colleagues from the Public Protection Unit of the Home Office (these visits provided valuable insight for the Sponsorship Department into the important work the SIA continues to deliver to improve quality and reduce training and examination malpractice in the sector)

East London provider

At the end of April, and acting on intelligence and working in conjunction with an Awarding Organisation, the SIA carried out an unannounced visit at a training provider based in East London.

During the inspection process, the SIA uncovered malpractice that led to the provider swiftly being suspended from delivering licence-linked qualifications. SIA enquiries are still ongoing to discover the extent of the malpractice.

Easterbrook observed: “Where we have a suspicion that malpractice has taken place, we will not hesitate to take action. This activity represents the effectiveness of a more streamlined and joined-up approach to tackle malpractice or mismanagement.”

In conclusion, Easterbrook noted: “We all need to be confident that those who hold SIA licences receive the correct entry-level qualification. We will continue to provide updates on our progress as and when appropriate.”