It’s no secret that the security sector is highly competitive. From service delivery to price point, and everything in between, there’s much to be said about comparing the UK’s extensive range of providers to find the one that resonates for you.
While that can be time-consuming (and so often left until the last minute), there are measures in place to ensure that – even if you’re struck by last-minute security woes – you’re always able to secure the right solution. Much of that stems from the overarching governmental body, the SIA (Security Industry Authority).
With their pioneering ACS (Approved Contractor Scheme) initiative, they forefront some of the sector’s best performers, and ultimately rubberstamp the level of quality a provider can offer. That’s something we’re intimately familiar with here at Churchill Support Services, and our latest article seeks to delve into the nuances of that scheme and what it means for you.
We’ll explore what the ACS accreditation in security means for those who use one of Britain’s most integral industries, and the key benefits of opting for a provider who’s gone the extra mile to secure Approved Contractor status.
The Approved Contractor Scheme (often shortened to the ACS Scheme or simply ACS) is a concrete indicator of the level of service quality, competency and training that a security provider offers.
It’s an entirely optional initiative started by the SIA (Security Industry Authority) back in 2006, and in its 19-year lifespan thus far, it’s proven to be one of the body’s most popular decisions. It seeks to separate the metaphorical wheat from the chaff and allow consumers to make a more informed decision on the security company they choose.
Any security company seeking to achieve ACS accreditation has to undergo one of the most stringent auditing procedures sector-wide. While we’ve explored this process in much greater depth with our full explanation of the ACS’s importance, the condensed version is that it’s an audit that covers every single aspect of how the business is run, and how the service is managed, delivered and maintained.
Think of it almost like the SIA’s answer to OFSTED inspections of schools, or the Food Standards Agency monitoring restaurants. Only the very best achieve that mark of quality, and that’s what the ACS accreditation represents for those in the security sector.
All ACS-accredited security companies undergo those same processes, conducted by experienced and meticulous auditors. But while those businesses go to those upper echelons of quality for that ACS accreditation, it’s not quite as clear for the end user what that means for them.
Let’s look at the key benefits of choosing an ACS-approved security company over one that’s not achieved that optional yet highly sought-after accreditation.
Arguably the biggest benefit of the ACS scheme to both consumers and security providers is the gravitas that accreditation carries with it. We compared it previously to OFSTED rankings, and that holds – it’s an “Outstanding” rating for those who operate in the security sector, and offers that additional reassurance to potential clients.
It’s also a great way to immediately narrow down a list of prospective providers. Think of it this way – while the ACS accreditation is completely optional (and no plans in the pipeline to change that), it goes to show how committed a company is to delivering a consistently excellent service.
As a consumer, you can then easily distil your options down to those who proudly display that ACS-approved logo, which looks like this:
This not only helps distinguish easily between companies that have and those that haven’t achieved that accreditation, but it’s also a great way to understand how that connects with the wider Security Industry Authority, and how it’s a scheme that’s reserved for only the very best the industry has to offer.
While the ACS status is a badge of exceptional quality in and of itself, the scheme would be remiss if it didn’t provide the scope to expand. For those who’ve proven to be the best of the best, there’s an additional level to reach – the ACS Pacesetters Award.
Given to only the top 15% of all providers that have undergone that ACS auditing process, the Pacesetters title is only given to companies that consistently demonstrate a commitment to both the betterment of the service they provide to consumers, and to the wider industry.
From a customer’s perspective, that’s a further assurance of what you’re receiving. You’ll be able to immediately recognise that logo, and distinguish it from those who’ve not achieved ACS status at all, and those that haven’t made the cut as a Pacesetter. It looks like this:
You’re also partnering with a company that’s got the future in mind. The Pacesetters Award is exactly that – it’s given to those who are setting the proverbial pace for the security sector, and choosing a company that’s achieved that only paves the way for a successful and productive future.
On the flip side of that is the opportunity and growth that it provides to businesses. The Pacesetters award means you’ve got plans in the pipeline or in the near future that are set to further the security industry and break new ground on what consumers can expect, which only serves to reinforce that forward-thinking mindset.
Couple that with the better service and more all-encompassing packages you’re subsequently able to provide to clients, and it’s easy to see why there’s a growing number of ACS-approved security companies.
While we’d always advise doing your own research wherever you can, there’s little substitute for the opinion of an expert. The ACS accreditation is exactly that. We’ve already touched on the rigorous and thorough monitoring that any company seeking ACS approval goes through, but it goes far beyond that.
Each audit is measured across a multitude of different factors – many of which we won’t ever consider when choosing between security providers – that range from employee training processes and materials to environmental compliance and fair and ethical hiring procedures. It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s one of security’s most watertight inspections.
There’s no chance of bias, either. Each yearly audit is conducted by a different auditor each time, all of whom have the same intrinsic knowledge of the sector, the direction it’s going in, and what makes a good security provider in 2025.
Ultimately what this says to a customer is that, outside of reviews and testimonials, there’s external proof of the claims a security company makes. We all naturally want to represent our business in the best way possible, and what the ACS accreditation does is offer a guarantee that those claims are substantiated in the right way.
The security industry is a complex web at times. Beneath the surface we see as clients is a beating heart of different departments, all of which mesh together to create the package and the service you’ll become accustomed to when you opt for an ACS-approved security provider.
Within that are partnerships, all of which will have no doubt been fostered over multiple months and years. It’s crucial to have these in the security sector – they facilitate larger networks of expert security officers, offer opportunities to create a more stable security presence, and ultimately provide the right level of cover.
For those who aren’t part of that exclusive Approved Contractor Scheme, the wrong kind of partnership can often prove to be detrimental to service delivery or misrepresent quality. There’s no danger of that with an ACS security company.
ACS-approved security companies are only able to work alongside others who have that status. It’s a necessity in an industry that’s constantly expanding and further serves to reinforce the quality and expertise that a security business under the ACS seeks to uphold.
Security partners are usually only used as a last resort – the cream of the crop will always seek to provide their own officers as a commitment to consistency, excellence and putting their name to a service they’re truly proud of. But when they do, it’s crucial they follow the same level of quality, and the ACS is the ideal metric by which to measure that.
Compliance in the security sector is, as you might imagine, absolutely integral. The right regulations ensure that security companies can operate safely (in the case of accreditations like SafeContractor), sustainably and with integrity.
It’s also essential in ensuring that they’re cooperating with the latest guidance passed down from the government, wider authorities (such as the Ministry of Defence) and the SIA themselves. A great example of that is the recently introduced Martyn’s Law, which we’ve discussed in much more depth with our in-depth piece following its ascension.
Compliance with the much-needed legislation is soon to become mandatory for all security companies, but for those accredited by the ACS, it’s long been on the horizon, especially given the tragic events that inspired its creation. Ensuring a compliant security business is also massive in other regards, too.
Chief among these – and one of the growing concerns for clients and customers across the UK – is environmental commitments. This has long been a part of the ACS’s modus operandi, and as this shifts to become more of a focus on a local and global scale, choosing a security company that’s already ahead of the eco-curve takes on renewed importance.
Plus, as an additional benefit for those with premises that have stricter or more specific health and safety guidelines (such as construction sites or factories), an ACS-approved security company must understand those guidelines too. That not only informs their service but allows you to better relate to the security you’re receiving.
While we’ve sought to be objective in this exploration of the ACS and its importance for customers looking to choose a security company, the fact of the matter remains that there’s a company that stands head and shoulders above the rest. That’s Churchill Support Services, and it’s a title we’re proud to shout about.
For the last two years, we’ve been the UK’s standalone #1 under the ACS audit, and for 2 years before that, we shared the top spot with one or two of our competitors. We don’t take the honour lightly and have consistently strived to deliver a service from the ground up that reflects our league-leading standing.
By choosing us, you’re ticking every single one of the boxes we’ve mentioned throughout this article, and a thousand others besides. Our audits are characteristic of our year, and we take the time to both celebrate the people who make it possible and to reflect upon how we can retain that title long into the future.
That’s only set to continue as we venture forth into 2025 and to new and exciting frontiers as leaders and pioneers in our sector. Get in touch with our in-house experts today to discuss how we’ve achieved that lofty position as the ACS’ best security company, and how we can provide exceptional quality time and time again.
