Home Page
Contract Quality Marque
The Contract Quality Marque is a unique scheme that has been
developed to show customers that specific security guarding
contracts have achieved a higher standard than those currently
recognised in the industry.
The scheme criteria incorporates and builds on standards already
required for security guarding companies working to ISO 9001,
British Standards and the Security Industry Authority's (SIA)
Approved Contractor Scheme. In addition, the CQM requires
security guarding companies to go that "extra mile" and deliver
professional and motivated officers through the benefit of improved
employment terms and conditions, training and staff development
programmes.
The scheme is open to any security guarding company that can
meet the CQM criteria and is not restricted to NSI approved
companies.
The CQM is supported by the British Security Industry
Association, Skills for Security and leading security companies and
customers.
Who Benefits?
The Customer
The customer is reassured that the contract guarding company is
providing the best possible service for their specific
contract. The CQM can also provide a benchmark for tender
documents and provides assurances that contracts are being set to
the highest standards available.
The Security Company
The security company can confidently demonstrate to its
customers that it is working to the highest industry standards
relevant to their contracts. They can also demonstrate they
are prepared to have unannounced inspections of their on-site
service delivery.
The Security Officer
The security officer will be motivated to perform efficiently
and effectively by benefitting from improved terms and conditions,
training and development opportunities.
How does it work?
The CQM is awarded for individual customer contracts with the
agreement of both the customer and the security guarding
company.
The CQM is valid for the duration of the contract subject to
both the contracted security company and the contract conditions
continuing to meet the qualifying criteria.
After the initial assessment of the contract by NSI, annual
inspections will be conducted to ensure both the security company
and the contract conditions continue to meet the scheme criteria.
In addition, unannounced visits will provide reassurance that
security officers are competent and doing what they are contracted
to deliver.
What are the Qualifying Criteria?
Specific enhanced customer contract criteria
must be evidenced in order to qualify for the CQM, which
include:
- working conditions that have been agreed with the customer in
advance and include a standard working week not exceeding 48 hours,
shifts not normally exceeding 12 hours, a lunch break of 30 minutes
and two additional 15 minute breaks
- security officers trained to meet the requirements of the
contract, including induction, on-site training and paid
developmental training in the current and subsequent years of 32
and 16 hours respectively
- personal development plans for security officers
- the security guarding company agreeing with the customer the
frequency for check-calls, supervisory and management visits to the
site. Checks must include the officer's alertness/awareness,
appearance, the condition of the officer's working location and
other welfare issues
- employer pension contributions on completion of any
probationary period
- prescribed minimum sick pay, death-in-service insurance,
payment for injury on duty, an employee assistance programme and
legal representation
Security guarding companies wishing to achieve the CQM for its
customer contract(s) must already:
- be operating an ISO 9001 Quality Management System, which is
independently assessed and registered with a UKAS accredited
certification body
- maintain approval with the SIA's Approved Contractor Scheme for
the relevant sectors for the duration of the CQM contract
- comply with the appropriate British Standards
View Full Copy of the
Qualifying Criteria
What Next?
The Contract Quality Marque must be applied for by
the security guarding company.
Download Application Form