Guidance

Changes to the rules for issuing LDNs

Published 21 November 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-sia-rules-for-ldns-your-questions-answered/changes-to-the-rules-for-issuing-ldns

1. Changes to the process

Questions in this section:

1.1 Why is the SIA changing its rules on issuing licence dispensation notices?

The rules on licence dispensation have remained largely unchanged since we introduced our Approved Contractor Scheme in 2006. By contrast, the private security industry has changed a lot since 2006, as have the risks to public protection. We are updating our rules to reflect those changes.

Our new rules mean LDNs can only be issued to applicants who held an active SIA licence when they submitted their licence application. This will ensure that anyone working on an LDN has undergone a criminal record check within the last 3 years.

1.2 How will the new process for issuing LDNs work?

From 24 February 2025, you will issue LDNs through your SIA business account. You will not need to be linked to an applicant to issue them with an LDN. You will still be able to issue the first LDN to an applicant without checking with us beforehand.

To issue an LDN, you will enter the applicant’s details into an online form. Our system will check if the applicant qualifies for an LDN and (if they do) will automatically issue the LDN. It will send the LDN to you, pre-populated with the applicant’s details and those of your company.

Any subsequent LDNs for that person will need to be approved by us, as is the case now.

1.3 If the applicant is applying for an additional sector, can we issue an LDN?

Yes, you can, providing both of the following points apply:

  • they held an active licence when they submitted their application
  • their application is at ‘checks in progress’

1.4 Is 5 weeks enough time for the SIA to complete all its licensing checks?

We process most applications in less than 5 weeks. If necessary, you can request a second or subsequent LDN.

Licences can be renewed up to 4 months prior to expiry. We encourage you and your staff to renew as soon as possible. This gives us more time to process the application. We will add any time left on the current licence to the new one.

1.5 What happens if the SIA does not make its licensing decision within 5 weeks?

You may ask for another LDN, using the same online form. If we agree, the LDN will be issued through our system.

2. Training on the use of LDNs

Questions in this section:

2.1 Do we need to complete any training before we can issue LDNs?

Yes. Anyone who will be issuing LDNs must complete our new ‘Use of licence dispensation’ e-learning course, which will be available early next year.

When you complete the course, we will issue you with a digital certificate of completion. The certificate is valid for 1 year whilst you work for the same company. If you go to work for a different approved contractor, you will need to complete the course again before you issue any LDNs for your new employer.

You must re-take this training every year to keep your permission to issue LDNs.

2.2 Is there a limit to the number of people who can take the LDN training?

Our new ‘Use of licence dispensation’ e-learning course will be available for free to anyone with an ‘SIA Learn’ account.

3. Assessing your use of LDNs

Questions in this section:

3.1 Will the ACS assessment process check our use of LDNs?

Yes. Your ACS assessor will check that:

  • we have authorised your company to issue licence dispensation notices
  • anyone nominated to issue LDNs meets our criteria, including the requirement to have completed our ‘Use of licence dispensation’ e-learning course within the last 12 months
  • each nominated person has read our guidance on the use of licence dispensation
  • any LDNs issued by your company have been issued correctly

4. Other matters

Questions in this section:

4.1 Will I be able to see all the LDNs my company has issued?

Yes. You will be able to see the full list of LDNs issued by your company by logging into your SIA business account.

4.2 Will the SIA publicly identify which approved contractors are authorised to issue LDNs?

Yes. We will show this on our register of approved contractors.

4.3 How many nominated people can we have?

You can have as many nominated people as you like, providing they all meet our criteria.

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