SIA Licence training course company

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Recent SIA Performance
There have been delays in our processing of licence applications and it has been difficult to get through to our contact centre. We apologise for the poor service.

The processing delays were originally due to the late delivery of a new computer system combined with various administrative difficulties as we changed from a sub-contractor in Newcastle to one in Liverpool. The situation was aggravated by two other factors. Firstly, a flood of calls and e-mails arising from the more than 10,000 letters we sent to licence holders who we were not satisfied had a right to work in the UK. Secondly, the effects of postal strikes - both the national and local Liverpool 'wildcat' action. The overall effect of all this has been a huge overload on our contact centre in recent weeks.

Two main measures have been taken to deal with the problem:

A concerted effort has been made to scan all applications onto the system, and to resolve any processing issues. Some applications received in November 2007 were affected to a greater degree: these are being processed and many have already been completed
Additional staff have been drafted into the contact centre specifically to deal with calls.

The present position is that any new applications (including renewals) will be scanned onto the system and will appear on the application status checker within a week of being received. Supporting documents will be returned within a further week, and the cases should then pass reasonably quickly through to the 'Checks in Progress' stage. In applications with a routine CRB check and without overseas criminality checks, licence decisions should be made within 6 weeks of receipt of a correctly completed application form.

Unfortunately, it will be some time before the load of telephone calls on the contact centre eases. Please do not add to the problem by making multiple calls or sending multiple letters or e-mails.

Again, we apologise for the poor service provided in recent months. We have already cleared the delayed clearances in licensing, although it will be some time before all these cases are finally decided. Similarly, we anticipate the contact centre situation improving steadily as the new arrangements take effect and as the level of calls drops off.

SIA Launches New Company Licence Checker

14 February 2008: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has launched a new online licence checker for companies.
The Company Licence Checker (CLC) is linked to the SIA's public Register of Licence Holders. The CLC allows employers to create lists of licence holders who work for their company and to check the status of those licences quickly and easily in real time. Previously, employers were only able to search and check one licence at a time.
The new facility instantly highlights any employees' licences that have been suspended or revoked.
The SIA is encouraging security companies to register and obtain a User ID and password and to start using this facility.
Companies that have already registered with the SIA (as company users) can use their existing user ID and password to start taking advantage of this service.
Notes to Editors:
Unregistered company users can register for the service by emailing details to companysponsors@the-sia.org.uk or calling the contact centre on 0844 892 0925. This number can only be used for bulk applications and company registrations.
SIA licences can be checked through the Register of Licence Holders, available 24-hours on the SIA website.