This article was produced by Peter French, of SSR Personnel, and Richard Flenley, RAF Associates, both Fellows of the TSI.
An aspiration of The Security Institute has always been to provide the security professional with the opportunity to achieve chartered status and where desired appropriate qualifications.
Why not previously?
Various associations and institutes have found it hard to stay financially solvent, or have just never had the foresight to see chartered status as a key stage in the end-to-end development of the security professional. Some may have considered that their target constituents could not be drawn into continuing professional development to the extent which achieving Charter requires. This is not a criticism but an illustration of how difficult it can prove, even for small groups of driven people, to dynamically impact a profession, particularly one as diverse as security, without the wider community involved.
What makes it feasible now?
While some may consider the SIA as just a regulator of the lowest common denominators in the security industry, there is a genuine desire and ability to eventually see an enhanced professionalism extended across the root and branch of the multifarious sectors which make up the industry. The arrival of SIA and Skills for Security and the continued progress of TSI provide a unique opportunity for the security profession. Together they are in a strong position to challenge historic preconceptions as to the value of security to the national economy and consequently are thereby able to elevate the role and importance of the profession to the private and public sectors. However a closely related question is how to develop the leaders of today and tomorrow with the foresight, energy and tenacity to consolidate this effort and take it forward? The achievement of Charter accords the highest level of professional status, credibility and recognition to an organisation, and where relevant, individuals. It signifies pre-eminence, stability and permanence in its particular field.
What is a Chartered Body?
There are 400 or so chartered bodies. A Royal Charter is a way of incorporating a body that transforms it from a collection of individuals into a single legal entity. A body incorporated by Royal Charter has all the powers of a natural person, including the power to sue and be sued in its own right. Royal Charters were at one time the only means of incorporating a body. The granting of new charters is comparatively rare. Royal Charters are these days reserved for eminent professional bodies or charities which have a solid record of achievement and are financially sound. In the case of professional bodies, they should represent a field of activity which is unique and not covered by other professional bodies.
What are the benefits?
The granting of a Charter can be to an organisation alone or to an organisation and its individual members. Automatically the added value of being Chartered is not tangible in the material sense, but to be so undoubtedly accords the highest level of professional status, credibility and recognition to an organisation, and where relevant, individuals. It signifies pre-eminence, stability and permanence in its particular field.
What are the first steps?
An application for a Royal Charter takes the form of a Petition to The Sovereign in Council. Since Charters are granted very rarely these days, a body applying for a Charter would normally be expected to meet a number of criteria. Each application is dealt with on its merits, but in the case of professional institutions, the main criteria are:
The institution concerned should comprise members of a unique profession, and should have as members most of the eligible field for membership, without significant overlap with other bodies.
Corporate members of the institution should be qualified to at least first-degree level in a relevant discipline, plus an appropriate period of practical experience.
The institution should be financially sound and able to demonstrate a record of accomplishment of achievement over a number of years.
Incorporation by Charter is a form of Government regulation as future amendments to the Charter and By-laws of the body require Privy Council (i.e. Government) approval. There therefore needs to be a convincing case that it would be in the public interest to regulate the body in this way.
Support must be provided to members in the form of continuing professional development, so that they maintain the currency of their skills.
The organisation must hold a national profile within business and education.
The organisation must uphold standards of professional conduct and practice.
There must be recognition of the place and standing of the organisation, as expressed by Ministers in the key government lead departments.
It should be stressed that appearing to meet these criteria does not mean that a body will automatically be granted a Charter.
Who will head this initiative?
The TSI have asked that a working committee be established that will produce a business plan and project map that can identify the necessary resources to underwrite the possible progress towards Royal Charter. The committee will be drawn from commerce, government, professional bodies and security practitioners. The preliminary budget for this initiative is in the region of £100,000 over five years. If you feel that your or your organisation can provide assistance please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
