We are delighted to announce that ibex gale has once again been awarded the prestigious British Standard 102000, the highly regarded Code of Practice for the Provision of Investigative Services. The rigorous and comprehensive audit was undertaken by certification body SSAIB who provide independent scrutiny and nationally recognised validation in line with the highest industry standards.
We believe that regulatory oversight in the investigations industry is essential, and we welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that our services meet the high standards of the BS102000, where ethical conduct and accountability, alongside the highest level of operational standards and professionalism, are essential to achieving the accreditation.
What is BS102000?
British Standards are developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI), the UK’s National Standards Body. BS102000 is specifically designed to provide a comprehensive set of procedures to ensure that investigative providers are adhering to industry best practice. The accreditation also sets high standards for the conduct, management, staffing and operational accountability for the provision of investigative services. This British Standard was first introduced to address a growing problem of unscrupulous activity among private investigators and sets out guidelines and specifications for investigators to demonstrate their accountability.
BS102000 covers the following key areas:
- Responsibility and accountability
- Honesty and integrity
- Conflicts of interest
- Compliance with the law
- Authority, respect, and courtesy
- Equality
- Confidentiality
- General conduct
- Challenging and reporting improper conduct
Why BS102000 is important to ibex gale
Given that workplace investigations can have a serious impact on the lives of those being investigated, it is surprising that the investigation industry remains a largely unregulated sector. Whilst we are acutely aware that our investigations and outcome reports are subject to rigorous scrutiny from various stakeholders including decision-makers, the subjects of the investigation, trade unions, lawyers, and external regulators and judicial bodies, adhering to industry standards remains optional for investigators.
As an organisation that is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, quality and transparency in investigations, we welcome external scrutiny and regulation of our work, and at present, BS102000 is the highest British Standard available within the investigations industry. We received our first BS102000 accreditation in 2022 and have undergone an independent, rigorous audit annually ever since.
Achieving BS102000
To achieve the BS102000 accreditation, ibex gale has demonstrated the following:
- Our systems and protocols align with the codes of practice of the Association of British Investigators (ABI).
- We have a sound knowledge and understanding of relevant investigative legislation.
- We take a structured, impartial and secure approach to investigative services from receipt of initial enquiry through to provision of final report, including how quality standards are maintained throughout the process.
- Our business has all the necessary financial and insurance supports that the standard requires.
- We have defined Ethics and Standards and Modern Slavery statements, we work to a Code of Conduct, and we have a process driven complaints system.
- We are registered with the ICO and have secure levels of data security evidenced by our robust IT systems and Cyber Essentials accreditation.
- We have a defined organisational structure and effective management in place. All our employees undergo high level screening and vetting procedures that align to the requirements of the BS7858 Code of Practice.
- We give our employees clear guidance on policies and procedures across all aspects of the business and provide regular training to ensure their skills and knowledge in Investigations are of the highest standards possible.
During the independent assessment, ibex gale received a particularly high score in the training category. The assessor remarked that we provide our team with regular and high-quality training, both collectively to enhance their ability to deliver investigations, and on an individual level to support their personal development.
Receiving this important and highly regarded industry accreditation is a testament to the outstanding calibre of our investigations team who bring a wealth of expertise from legal, HR/ER and law enforcement backgrounds, and who combine professional rigour with a people-centric approach that enables them to handle highly sensitive investigations with empathy and compassion. We are incredibly proud of our shared commitment to achieving and maintaining the very highest ethical and professional standards possible and to seeking out external scrutiny of the work that we undertake.
For further information about ibex gale, or if you would like to discuss how we could support your workplace investigation, please get in touch at contactus@ibexgale.com or on 0117 251 0566
