SAFE Ltd

SIA publishes proposals for future regulation

The SAFE Admin Team — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:27:03 +0000

In the recent SIA update published on the 31st of January 2012, the Security Industry Authority have published a factsheet outlining their proposals for future regulation of the private security industry. No changes are to be implemented before London Olympics 2012, with the key changes proposed being :

industry regulation will continue in the future
businesses operating in designated areas of the private security industry will require annual licensing
registration of employees to confirm identity, address history, right to work, qualifications and criminal record checks are to continue, with responsibility of the registration and application process to transfer to the business through a more automated online approach
development of training standards to be transferred to a suitable industry skills body
no changes are proposed to the ACS voluntary scheme for the time being

SAFE seek new General Manager/Managing Director Designate

The SAFE Admin Team — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:28:11 +0000

SAFE is seeking a new General Manager/Managing Director Designate to replace its former MD, who has moved to head Industry Qualifications. The role involves taking full P+L responsibility for the business and leading the business to a position where it works across a wider range of sectors. This is a key role and requires a person that is able to take an established and successful business to a new level.

We are seeking a person that:

Is able to think and operate strategically, developing and implementing plans capable of driving diversification and growth
Numerate and with experience of developing and working to budget
Has strong leadership skills, able to inspire a team and develop the public profile of SAFE
Is familiar with SFA and YPLA contracting and able to lead the SAFE submission, should it seek direct contractor status
Familiar with the Ofsted inspection regime
Committed to quality provision and developing appropriate QA platforms
Is entrepreneurial and possess demonstrable capability to develop new business

Reporting to a small board which includes the former MD, the new employee will have considerable scope to stamp their authority on SAFE and significantly enhance its position in the market.

For further information, please contact Raymond Clarke at r.clarke@safe-training.com

Business Licensing in the Security Sector by 2013

The SAFE Admin Team — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:54:50 +0000

In the House of Commons Debates on the 6th of February 2012, Lynne Featherstone (a minister from the Home Office) clarified the position of the Home Office in response to a question regarding changes to the regulation of the private security industry.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the regulation of the private security industry in each of the next two years; and if she will make a statement. [93372]

Lynne Featherstone: As announced in October 2010, there will be a phased transition to a new regulatory regime for the private security industry, with no significant changes until after the Olympics. Work on the transition is under way, and as many changes as possible will be made using secondary legislation. This will mean that the key components of the new regime, including business licensing, will be in place by the end of 2013. Primary legislation will be required at the end of the process to abolish the Security Industry Authority and formally set up its successor.

The full transcript is available from the parliament website.
Reported by IPSA News - ipsanews@ipsamail.org.uk

SAFE first to offer IQ Assessor’s Qualification

The SAFE Admin Team — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:02:34 +0000

SAFE have become the first provider to adopt the new Level 3 Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (QCF) award offered by Industry Qualifications (IQ). The qualification, which is the replacement for the Assessor A1 award, is available through IQ from the 1st July.

IQ is the new mutual awarding organisation that was approved by qualifications regulator Ofqual in March, which has been designed to provide an inclusive, high quality approach to assessment. The organisation has received approval from the SIA to offer license linked awards, and expects to offer these awards from August.
Linda Affleck-Drimer, Operations Manager at SAFE said ‘SAFE is pleased to be the first centre to be approved for the new Assessing Competence in the Work Environment award with IQ. We are one of the first centres to offer this new national qualification for assessors in the security industry, and I understand that IQ is one of the first awarding organisations to gain approval for the new award from Ofqual.’

The first programme offered by SAFE will involve one day of structured training, on site assessment and a further day’s standardisation meeting. The first day of the programme is planned for the 5th July, followed by a standardisation meeting on the 9th August. The programme costs £450 + VAT including training, assessment, standardisation meeting and certification. Limited places on the course are still available, to register interest please contact Linda.

Clarke steps down as Managing Director of SAFE

The SAFE Admin Team — Sun, 22 May 2011 14:47:46 +0000

Raymond Clarke has stepped down as Managing Director of SAFE on a full time basis to take on the role of Chief Executive of the new mutual awarding organisation IQ. He will continue as a director of SAFE, with responsibility for advising on strategy, but day to day responsibility for operation will rest with Stephanie Loke (Development Manager) and Linda Affleck-Drimer (Operations Manager). Raymond will spend some 80% of his time with IQ and 20% with SAFE, transferring to IQ on a full time basis in January.

‘IQ is now developing at a significant pace’ said Clarke. ‘Qualifications are already approved in hospitality, security, and the education sectors, with awards in the manufacturing, safety and management sectors due shortly. IQ is rapidly becoming a full time role and it is a reflection of the quality that now exists within the SAFE management team that the operational management of IQ can be left in such capable hands. IQ belongs to a range of organisations and it is important that I dedicate my time to making a success of what we believe will rapidly become a quality, international awarding brand working in a variety of industry sectors’.
SAFE is one of a number of founder members of IQ which also include FE colleges, and has been located in offices adjacent to SAFE in Telford during its development phase. The company will be moving South of Birmingham towards the end of the calendar year and is currently searching for suitable accommodation. ‘As a founder member, SAFE has played an important role in the development of IQ. Operationally, SAFE are a centre like every other centre, and IQ looks forward to working with a wide range of organisations delivering license linked training in the security industry,’ said Clarke.

To read more about IQ, please see the info4security article about IQ.