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Job summary

The SIA is the organisation responsible for the regulation of private security. It is an independent, arm’s length body (ALB) of the Home Office, reporting to the Home Secretary, under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s purpose is protecting the public through effective regulation of the private security industry and working with partners to raise standards across the sector. Its regulatory remit covers the whole of the United Kingdom.

The SIA has two main duties: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry and the management of a voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed criteria.

SIA licensing covers security operatives who are in guarding, door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, and public space surveillance using CCTV, vehicle immobilisation (in Northern Ireland) and key holding. Licensing ensures that private security operatives are fit and proper persons who are properly trained and qualified to do their job.

Job description

Are you someone who enjoys analysing information, making fair and balanced decisions, and contributing to work that genuinely protects the public?

We're looking for Decisions Officers to join our Licensing & Service Delivery team. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding standards across the private security industry by making evidence-based licensing decisions that have a real impact on public confidence and safety.

As a Decisions Officer, you'll manage a varied caseload, carefully reviewing applications and assessing complex information to reach impartial, well-reasoned decisions. Every decision you make must be supported by evidence, clearly documented, and capable of standing up to scrutiny, including appeals through the courts.

No two days are the same. You'll respond to applicant enquiries, draft high-quality decision letters, work closely with colleagues across customer support, intelligence and investigations, and identify cases that require further action. You'll also help prepare evidence for legal proceedings and ensure all decisions are made in line with legislation, policy and regulatory best practice.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in casework, investigations, compliance or another role where sound judgement, attention to detail and objectivity are essential. You'll need to be confident managing competing priorities, communicating complex decisions clearly, and working both independently and collaboratively to meet performance targets.

You'll join a supportive, professional team where your development matters. We encourage continuous learning, provide opportunities to broaden your skills across different areas of licensing, and offer a collaborative environment where colleagues are committed to delivering high-quality public service.

We're looking for people who have:

• Experience in casework or another role involving impartial decision-making.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess evidence objectively.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• The ability to manage workloads effectively and meet deadlines.

• An understanding of, or experience within, a regulatory or public sector environment.

Experience representing an organisation in court or as a witness would be an advantage, but isn't essential.

If you're motivated by making fair decisions, solving complex problems and delivering work that makes a genuine difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us and help ensure the highest standards across the private security industry while building a rewarding career in regulation and public service.

Person specification

Essential

• Experience of casework or similar type of function involving the need for impartial decision making.

• Proven knowledge of understanding the policies and procedures in relation to the decision-making process for individuals.

• Capable of prioritising workflows in order to meet targets and achieve results.

• Demonstrable ability to act under own initiative and constantly strive to deliver excellence in work.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and a capacity to work with a wide range of people, as well as excellent team working skills.

• An understanding of, or experience in, a regulatory body or public sector processes.

Desirable

• Experience of attending court as a witness or representative for either a private or public sector body.

• An understanding of, or experience in, a regulatory body or public sector processes.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,451, Security Industry Authority contributes £8,531 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A welcoming and innovative work environment.

• Continued support and development opportunities.

• Access to training for attainment of recognised qualifications.

• Flexible working arrangements.

• Annual leave entitlement will be 27.5 days, rising by one additional day for every two years of service up to a maximum of 32.5 days.

• A variety of discounts including Gymflex.

• Civil Service Pension Scheme – employee contribution between 4.60% and 7.35% and employer contribution between 26.60% and 30.30%.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

The SIA does not use Success Profiles - please disregard any information below in relation to this.

After submission of the first stage of your application, you will be invited to complete two online Civil Service Tests - Verbal Reasoning and Work Strengths. If you successfully pass the tests, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). The closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 29th July 2026. If you fail to complete the online tests before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Note that after passing the tests, you will be required to complete the rest of the application before the closing deadline, so please allow yourself adequate time to complete the full application.

Guidance for the tests will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.

Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between 4pm and 7pm on Sunday July 19th. You will be unable to access tests during this period.

If you are in the middle of a test when the maintenance begins, your progress will be paused. You will be able to resume your test from where you left off via your application centre once the downtime has ended. Please note that you will not be able to launch any new tests while the system is offline.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and 500-word personal statement. Further details around guidance for this is listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to outline why you believe you would be an ideal candidate for this role. Please highlight your relevant skills, experience and achievements that align with the essential job requirements.

To help us assess your suitability for the role, please complete the CV incorporated into the application form by providing as much information as possible about your previous work experience and achievements.

Should we receive a large number of applications, they will be sifted on personal statement only.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview details will be provided to successful candidates prior to their interview taking place.

Sift and Interview Process:

Sift will take place from 30th July.

Interviews will be held on the 11th & 12th of August.

Interviews will be held in person at our London office. You will be required to complete a scenario-based exercise - guidance for this will be provided at the start of your interview.

Further Information

A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for a maximum of 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Visa sponsorship

We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.

If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.

You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.

For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via sia.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs

• Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Criminal Record Check

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.

If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

National Security vetting

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for CTC is 3 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : SIA Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@sia.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : sia.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Complaints should be submitted to recruitment@sia.gov.uk. If, after investigation by the SIA, the complainant remains dissatisfied, they may bring their complaint to the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

JD Decisions Officer Opens in new window (pdf, 146kB)