SSIP Guidance
Understanding SSIP Accreditation and How Courtley Can Help
With many providers offering different types of SSIP accreditation, it can be confusing to know which one is right for your business. This guide explains the options and how Courtley can support you through the process.
What is SSIP Accreditation?
Clients want proof that contractors work safely and follow the law. Instead of asking for paperwork every time, clients rely on SSIP schemes like CHAS, Constructionline, and SMAS to verify this. When you get SSIP accredited, it shows your company meets health and safety standards, helping you skip repetitive paperwork during tendering. Accreditations are renewed yearly to keep up with best practices and law changes.
Costs and Benefits
Costs depend on your company’s size and which accreditations you choose. While SSIP isn’t legally required, many clients expect it. It shows you take health and safety seriously and may support you onto tender lists.
How to Get Accredited
- Choose your SSIP provider (some clients prefer specific schemes).
- Register with them and ask for guidance.
- Tell Courtley you’re applying or renewing, so we can support you in preparing your evidence.
- You may need to have a site visit to show your health and safety practices are followed.
- Courtley can provide templates and advice to make the process easier.
- We’ll assist in gathering all the evidence you need to meet the requirements and improve your health and safety management.
It often takes a couple of submissions to successfully complete a CHAS application, so getting support early on can make the process smoother.
What Evidence is Needed?
Typical document requirements include (not exhaustive):
- Health and Safety Policy
- Construction Phase Plans (if needed)
- Risk Assessments
- Method Statements
- COSHH Assessments
- Training Records
- Equipment Records
- Subcontractor Procedures (if relevant)
- Industry-specific training certificates
- Health and Safety monitoring records
- Workforce involvement records (e.g., Toolbox Talks)
- Accident and Incident records
Courtley can help you prepare these documents, ensuring they’re up-to-date and complete.
New Requirements
Regulations, like the Building Safety Act, are routinely updated. Courtley stays informed about these changes and helps you update your policies and documents accordingly. For larger companies or higher level accreditations, additional information on environmental practices, mental health, and social value may also be required.
What is Deem to Satisfy?
Deem to Satisfy (DTS) means if you’re accredited with one SSIP scheme, you can apply to another without a full new assessment. This saves time and money.
For example, if you have SSIP certification through Once for All (formerly Acclaim), which is assessed with Constructionline, but a client wants you to have Safe Contractor certification, you can upload your Once for All certificate to Safe Contractor and this will cover much of their Health & Safety assessment, so you only need to complete a few extra sections, and you should receive a discount for this.
Submitting Your Application
Once you upload everything, an assessor will review it. This can take a few weeks, and they may ask for more information. Courtley can review your documents before submission to help avoid delays.
Contacting Courtley
- By telephone: 0151 545 0497
- By email: [email protected]
