WHEN DO YOU WANT THE SECURITY TO TAKE PLACE?
Decide on the hours you require security cover Monday to Friday days covering standard working hours, Nights and weekend hours covering when the premises is closed or 24hours a day.
HELP WITH MAKING THAT FINAL DECISION
If your decision is between two companies, there is a wealth of additional information you can request that will assist you in determining whether you are comparing apples with apples. The following should help you with this.
COMMUNICATION
How the Company communicates with you should be your choice. Either face to face, emails, texts, phone, or a combination of all.
ABSENCE COVER
The recent pandemic that the unexpected always happens and this is especially true in a service industry. Without fail there will be an unplanned absence during your service contract. The difference is, how your Security provider will address this.
EMERGENCY AD-HOC PROVISION
The unexpected works both ways so it is advisable to ask the security provider what notice they require to have extra additional staff on site.
INSURANCE
It is imperative that you make sure your service provider has sufficient insurance to cover legal liability and professional indemnity.
TYPES OF PRODUCTS
Ensure that the security provider can supply the service you require and are fully accreditated to do so, static guarding, door supervision, alarm response and alarm monitoring, CCTV monitoring, close protection operations.
REGULARITY OF MANAGEMENT VISITS
Your security contractor should visit your site at least once a month to check on the welfare of their staff and to monitor standards. They should also meet with you once a month to ascertain client satisfaction and to proactively plan changes and discuss additional services for the proceeding months.
METHOD OF PAYMENT
Most companies have 30-day payment terms and will charge interest for late payment.
IT SUPPORT IN CONTRACT PROVISION
There are many IT programmes that assist in the delivery of a security service. This software monitors staff presence and loan worker contacts and allows for shift changes to be recorded. In addition software programmes allow for security ACS audits to be conducted and the results emailed directly to yourself for information.
AUDITING
A security audit should be done once a month to check on the welfare of staff and to ensure staff licensing standards are being maintained.
HOW WILL THE COMPANY MONITOR STANDARDS - QUALITY ASSURANCE
Your security contractor should hold the Accredited Company Scheme (ACS) accreditation. This is an externally assessed accreditation by a government appointed external auditor to ensure the service meets the standard set by the government and the insurance companies.
TRAINING
All staff should receive induction training when new to the company. Thereafter a programme of CPD should be available to ensure optimum service levels. Training should involve H&S, Safe Systems of Work (SSOW), patrol routes, alarm systems, visitor and contractors' processes and procedures as well as your policies and procedures.
ACCREDITATIONS
Accreditations are externally marked and demonstrate a high level of intent on optimum service delivery by the contractor. At the minimum, they should include the following: ACS, ISO 9001 - Quality Assurance, ISO 14001 - Environmental, CHAS - Health & Safety.
ESCALATION PATH/ACTIONS
As previously mentioned, sometimes things do not go to plan. It is therefore important that you know where to go to get problems addressed and to ensure there is no repeat. Your contractor should be able to provide a 24-hour Help Desk and dedicated Control Room that will deal with out of hours emergencies. you should also be provided with the telephone numbers of the Account Managers, Operations Director and the MD who should be available 24 hours a day to address your queries. It isn't necessarily what goes wrong, but how it is remedied that is.
CHANGE TO CONTRACT
You should make sure that there are no penalty clauses for changing the level of cover that you have contracted for in case your circumstances change. Most companies will have a 3 month notice period of contract end as they have to arrange for alternative employment for their staff.
UNIFORM & PPE
Security contractors supply their staff with uniforms, however, some clients like the uniforms to be in their own Company's brand. In addition the security contractor is responsible for issuing all necessary PPE for their staff to undertake their jobs safely.
RECYCLING OPPORTUNITIES
Wherever possible, your contractor should follow all your sustainability initiatives and provide assistance with the recycling of waste.
COMPANY POLICIES
Your contractor should be able to provide you with all their essential policies, by publishing them on their website.
H&S
H&S is imperative within the security industry. Your contractor should hold an accreditation that demonstrates that they have been externally assessed as competent.
DBS CHECKS
All security officers must hold a Security Industry Authority License to work which states the role they can be employed to carry out and have been government cleared to do so.
EQUIPMENT
Although most equipment is standard, there are additional items that may be of benefit for you to have on your premises, such as an alarm system, patrol reporting devices, radios and mobile phones. Your contractor should be able to advise you on this. The equipment should be PAT tested every 48 months and replacement equipment supplied if items are found to be faulty.
WHO IS YOUR LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE GOING TO BE?
Your security contractor should appoint a manager as your liaison with the Company. You should have their telephone number so that you can contact them 24/7. If you are not satisfied with the manager you have been appointed, your contractor should be able to offer you alternatives.
WORK SCHEDULES
Check the security schedule and monitor the hours worked to ensure fatigue management is being used and monitored and which staff are being used.
LONGEVITY OF COMPANY
The longevity of your security contractor is an indication of their professionalism and ability to deliver security services to an acceptable level.
HISTORY OF COMPANY
The history of the security contractor can give an indication as to whether this is the type of company that you feel you could work with.
ASSOCIATIONS
Knowing other companies that have selected the same contractor as yourself can provide confidence and reassurance of your choice.
REFERENCES
You should ask for a couple of references from other clients that your contractor currently works for to give you confidence in your selection.
HOW DO THEY VET THEIR EMPLOYEES AND ENSURE RIGHT TO WORK?
All staff must be SIA licensed which covers an individual's training, right to work, criminality checks, and residency. All checks are carried out by government agencies, SIA Licence has to be reissued every 3 years.
For additional advice on any of the above, or for a no-obligation quotation, please contact Ryan Stillwell on 01702 713100.