SIA ACS Support for UK Security Companies
The SIA Approved Contractor Scheme is the mark of quality that serious security businesses in the UK cannot afford to be without.
Not sure what the scheme involves? Read our complete guide to SIA ACS accreditation to understand the requirements, process and benefits before you apply.
Certified
SIA ACS
Quality Management
Main Benefits of SIA ACS Certification.
SIA ACS accreditation demonstrates that your security business meets the Security Industry Authority’s highest standard for operational competence, staff management, and service delivery. It opens doors to contracts that are simply not available to non accredited businesses and positions you as a serious and professional operator in the UK security market.
Recognised Mark of Quality
ACS status tells clients, staff, and the market that your business operates to the highest standard in the UK private security industry.
Access to Higher Value Contracts
Many public sector bodies, local authorities, and major commercial clients will only engage SIA ACS accredited security companies.
Improved Business Processes
The ACS assessment process drives real improvements in how your business is managed, from staff vetting and training to contract management and client communication.
Competitive Advantage
Stand out from the significant number of security companies that do not hold ACS status and position your business as the professional choice.
Why SIA ACS is Essential for UK Businesses Today.
CONTRACTS REQUIRE IT
An increasing number of public sector contracts, framework agreements, and private sector clients specify SIA ACS accreditation as a minimum requirement. Without it your business is excluded from consideration before the evaluation even begins.
IT DRIVES REAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
The SIA ACS assessment is built around seven core criteria that evaluate every aspect of how a security business operates. Working toward accreditation with ESC Support does not just get you a certificate—it establishes an audit-ready operational framework that wins higher-value commercial tenders.
Our SIA ACS Support Promise.
Complete Application Management
We manage every part of the ACS application process on your behalf, from initial gap analysis through to submission and assessment.
Built Around Your Business
Every policy, procedure, and management system we produce is written specifically for your business, not copied from a template.
Full Assessment Support
We prepare you thoroughly for your ACS assessment and remain actively involved on the day to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Ongoing Surveillance Support
We provide continued support for your annual ACS surveillance visits and reassessments so your accreditation stays current and secure.
Essential ACS Documentation.
We produce and implement a complete set of ACS compliant documentation tailored to your security business, covering every requirement across the 7 core criteria. See how we build and implement your ACS management system
What your consultancy scope includes
ACS eligibility and gap review, management system preparation, self-assessment evidence, worker-file checks and assessment-readiness support. We agree the precise deliverables before work begins.
What we need from your business
Please provide the activities requiring approval, operating history, workforce model and existing compliance records. Your team remains responsible for accurate records, implementing the agreed controls and approving submitted information.
Fees, timing and next steps
Scope and timing depend on business size, sites, current evidence, document gaps and the deadline. Tell us these details when requesting a quote. Consultancy fees and any assessor, certification-body or membership charges are separate; the written scope explains what is included. Assessment availability and any corrective actions also affect completion.
ESC Support provides consultancy and preparation. The relevant certification body or scheme assessor makes the independent approval decision.
Useful guidance and related support
Request a scoped consultancy quote or book a free initial consultation.
- Quality Policy and Business Objectives.
- Staff Vetting and BS 7858 Screening Records.
- Training and Development Plans and Records.
- Contract Management Procedures and Client Communication Records.
- Health and Safety Policy and Risk Assessments.
- Management Review Records and Continuous Improvement Actions.
Our Accreditation Process.
01
Gap Analysis and Initial Review
We carry out a thorough review of your current business against all 7 criteria, 33 sub-criteria and 78 indicators, identifying exactly what needs to be put in place before your assessment.
02
Documentation and System Development
We produce all required policies, procedures, management systems, and supporting documentation, tailored specifically to your security business and its operations.
03
Internal Audit and Readiness Check
We conduct a full internal audit against the ACS criteria, addressing any gaps and making sure your business is completely prepared before the official assessment takes place.
04
Assessment Support and Accreditation
Our hands-on SIA ACS consultancy ensures your management systems, compliance records, and staff are thoroughly prepared for the assessing body’s on-site audit. Talk to one of our specialists today.
SIA ACS questions: what it is, cost, timeline and assessment
What is SIA ACS?
The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is the Security Industry Authority’s voluntary quality scheme for private security companies. It approves the business, not individual officers, so every officer still needs their own SIA licence. Buyers, councils and principal contractors often ask for ACS in tenders because it shows the company has been independently assessed against the ACS standard by an SIA-approved assessing body.
Who can apply for SIA ACS?
You must supply contracted security services in SIA-regulated activities. Current eligibility rules require at least 12 months of contracted security-industry trading before you apply. Our SIA ACS guide explains the full eligibility criteria.
How much does SIA ACS cost?
There are three parts to the cost:
- SIA application fee, based on licensable staff: £400 (up to 10), £800 (11–25), £1,600 (26–250) or £2,400 (more than 250).
- Annual registration fee: £25 per licensable individual deployed, from 1 June 2026.
- Assessing body fees: day rates set by your chosen assessor for in-person or remote assessment.
On top of that is the time it takes to prepare your evidence, whether that is done internally or with consultancy support. Our consultancy fees are quoted separately after we have scoped your requirements.
How long does SIA ACS take?
It depends on how far your records are from ACS-ready. Once the SIA confirms eligibility, new applicants currently have six months to complete the assessment and close any improvement needs, so most of the preparation should be done before you apply. A gap review is the quickest way to find out where you stand.
How will my company be assessed?
You complete the ACS self-assessment workbook first. The assessor then reviews your documents and management system, and may visit your office, control room and operational sites, interview staff and speak to customers. They are checking that what your procedures say matches what actually happens.
What documents and evidence do I need?
Typically: BS 7858 screening files, SIA licence checks and expiry monitoring, training records, contracts and customer reviews, complaints and incident records, your policies, and management review and improvement records, all with evidence that they are used day to day. See our ACS assessment preparation guide for the full checklist.
Ready for the Next Level?
Talk to one of our SIA ACS consultants today. No obligation, just straightforward expert guidance on achieving accreditation and positioning your security business for growth.