The revised Code of Conduct will be introduced on 1 January 2017. Paul Wilkins, Chair of the ACAI, explains what the changes mean for Approved Inspectors
As Chair of the ACAI and Chief Executive of the Butler & Young Group, I welcome the publication of the revised CiCAIR Code of Conduct for Approved Inspectors.
The Code of Conduct (the Code) was last reviewed in June 2011, and a fresh review was necessary to ensure that it remained fit for purpose and was brought up to date.
How was the review carried out?
The review was led by a working group which consisted of 8 members – an independent Chairman, three Approved Inspector representatives, three construction professionals and one representative from Local Authority Building Control (LABC).
Two consultations took place. The first sought general views on the old version, where improvements should be made and what focus these improvements should take. CICAIR received 193 responses to this consultation. The second consultation sought views on the proposed new Code, and this received 65 responses. The responses from both consultations were discussed by the review working group and amendments were made where they added value to the documents.
The Code review is one of several initiatives that CICAIR are taking to support the ongoing conduct of Approved Inspectors complementing other initiatives such as annual monitoring, the rolling programme of audits of Approved Inspectors and the auditing of new Approved Inspectors shortly after approval to ensure they are operating appropriately.
What changes were made?
The key change to the Code is a move away from detailed, prescriptive clauses towards a principle based approach which sets out the fundamental principles of behaviour and the standards of professional conduct and practice expected of Approved Inspectors. This is in line with other regulators and is seen as best practice in professional regulation. This principles-based Code is supported by guidance notes which have been produced to assist Approved Inspectors to comply.
As part of the process, the opportunity was also taken to review, strengthen and increase the transparency of how CICAIR investigates complaints and take disciplinary action. Sitting alongside the Code and the guidance notes will be a suite of publicly available protocols which will guide complaints handling, disciplinary proceedings and appeals against disciplinary decisions. The sanctions available to CICAIR remain unchanged at the current time.
When will the new Code of Conduct come into force?
The new Code will be introduced on 1 January 2017 with a two-month transitional arrangement:
For projects with Initial Notices dated on or before 28 February 2017 the old June 2011 Code of Conduct will apply and complaints lodged with CICAIR will be assessed against this version of the Code.
For projects with Initial Notices dated on or after 1 March 2017 the new March 2017 Code will apply and complaints lodged with CICAIR will be assessed against this version.
The June 2011 Code of Conduct is effectively withdrawn from 1 January 2017. Approved Inspectors will have until 30 December 2016 to confirm to CICAIR that they have read, understood, and communicated the new Code and protocols to staff and consultants and that they agree to abide by the Code of Conduct and protocols.
These changes ensure that we continue to have robustly regulated and effective private sector delivery of building control.
Paul Wilkins
Chief Executive
Butler and Young Group
Chairman
Association of Consultant Approved Inspectors (ACAI)
http://approvedinspectors.org.uk
