Kent’s Outsourced Compliance Manager
SSIP Accreditation Kent: Take the Paperwork Off Your Plate
Take SSIP accreditation completely off your plate, dedicated support for small businesses across Maidstone, Medway, Tonbridge and Mid Kent.
What is SSIP Accreditation?
SSIP stands for Safety Schemes in Procurement. It is an umbrella framework that recognises health and safety assessment schemes used by clients and principal contractors to check that their suppliers and subcontractors meet minimum health and safety standards.
The most common SSIP-recognised schemes in the UK are:
- CHAS – Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme
- SafeContractor – one of the most widely recognised schemes across the UK
- Acclaim Accreditation – issued by Fortius, recognised across many sectors
- SMAS Worksafe – commonly required in construction and facilities management
- Constructionline – includes health and safety assessment as part of broader supplier vetting
The good news is that once you hold one SSIP-recognised scheme, the Deem to Satisfy rule means you can often use it as evidence toward another without going through a full reassessment. I can advise on which scheme best fits your business and your clients’ requirements.
Why Small Businesses in Kent Need SSIP
For most small businesses in Kent, SSIP accreditation isn’t optional, it’s a condition of being considered for contracts. Whether you work in construction, facilities management, surveying, engineering, manufacturing or any trade where you work on client sites, you will almost certainly be asked for it.
Principal contractors, local authorities, housing associations and large private sector clients all use SSIP-recognised schemes to pre-qualify suppliers. Without it, you simply don’t get on the list.
The challenge for small businesses is that the application process can feel overwhelming, particularly the health and safety questions, which require specific documentation and evidence that many small businesses either don’t have in place or don’t know how to present properly.
That is exactly what I help with.
With Next Step Compliance you get one dedicated outsourced compliance manager in Kent who knows your business, visits you on-site, manages your compliance throughout the year and is there when you need them, at a fraction of the cost of a full-time employee, with none of the employment risk.
Outsourced Compliance Manager support for small businesses in Kent
You work directly with Jeanette Wessen and Tim Thompson, a husband and wife team based in Mid Kent. No rotating consultants, no being passed around. Always the same two people.
Since 2022 I have supported businesses across Maidstone, Medway, Tonbridge and Mid Kent through ISO 9001 certification and ongoing compliance with a 100% pass rate.
I hold Lead Auditor qualifications for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, a NEBOSH Health and Safety qualification and am registered with the International Register of Certified Auditors.
Tim brings expertise in manufacturing and precision engineering environments. Two specialists. One partnership. Everything covered.
Case Study – A Kent Electrical Contractor Who Got ISO 9001 Right Second Time
An electrical contractor in Kent with around twelve employees came to me after a difficult experience with a previous ISO consultant. They needed ISO 9001 to satisfy their clients and stay competitive for the contracts they wanted, but their previous experience had left them disillusioned with the whole process.
They felt they had not been listened to. The system they had been given did not reflect how their business actually worked and the whole thing had felt more like being told how to run their company than being supported through a practical process.
We started from scratch together. I visited them on-site, took time to understand how they actually operated and built a quality management system around that, not around a generic template. The approach was collaborative throughout and the system we built together was one they understood, could manage and that stood up at audit.
They are now certified. More importantly they have a system that works for their business rather than against it.
If you have had a bad experience with ISO consultancy before, I understand why you might be cautious. That is exactly the kind of situation I work well in.
How I Support Small Businesses with SSIP Accreditation in Kent
I support businesses through SSIP applications and renewals across all major schemes including CHAS, SafeContractor, Acclaim and SMAS. Whether you are applying for the first time or managing a renewal, I handle the process alongside you so nothing gets missed.
First-time applications
I review your existing health and safety documentation, identify any gaps and work with you to make sure everything is in place before submission. For businesses that don’t have formal health and safety policies or risk assessments in place, I can help you put the right documents together, documents that reflect how your business actually operates, not generic templates downloaded from the internet.
Renewals
SSIP accreditation typically needs renewing annually. I review what has changed in your business over the past year, update your documentation accordingly and manage the renewal submission so it doesn’t get forgotten or left to the last minute.
Multiple schemes
If your clients require different SSIP schemes, I can advise on the most efficient route, including making use of Deem to Satisfy where applicable, so you are not paying for or completing more assessments than you need to.
Whether you’re based in Maidstone, Medway, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks or nearby, support can be on-site or remote, whatever works best for your business.
What to expect when we first start working together
Every business is at a different stage with SSIP. Some are applying for the first time, others have a renewal coming up or need to add a second scheme for a new client.
Typically I will visit your business to talk to you face to face after our initial phonecall or email. My work is done on site rather than remotely so I can get to know your business.
Step 1 – Understanding what you need
We start with a conversation about which scheme your clients require, where your business currently stands with health and safety documentation and what needs to happen to get you ready for submission.
Step 2 – Getting the documentation right
I review your existing paperwork, identify any gaps and work with you to make sure everything is compliant and properly evidenced before you submit.
Step 3 – Submission and follow-up
I support you through the submission process and am on hand to deal with any queries the scheme raises, so nothing stalls at the last minute.
Step 4 – Ongoing support
For businesses that want ongoing support, I can manage your SSIP renewals year on year so accreditation never lapses and you are always ready when a contract opportunity comes up.
I provide outsourced compliance manager support for small businesses in Kent with a 100% SUCCESS RATE
Client Feedback
Next Step Compliance deliver an excellent, professional service from start to finish. Their expertise in Health & Safety and ISO standards made the whole process smooth and straightforward. They offer clear guidance, practical solutions, and help us improve our compliance quickly and confidently. Highly recommended for any business looking to strengthen its safety culture and meet ISO requirements.
Working with Jeanette over the past couple of years has been a pleasure. Jeanette’s professionalism, knowledge and advice have been integral to Locks 4 vans retaining our ISO certification. Jeanette has assisted in carrying out Internal Audits as part of our internal audit schedule as well as performing last minute audits, without any fuss, and gave us insighful feedback.
I would highly recommend Jeanette to anyone seeking ISO certification from 1st Stage audits to Recertification.
Areas I cover in Kent
I regularly work on-site with businesses across these areas and will cover all of mid Kent: –
Maidstone
Medway
Tonbridge
Tunbridge Wells
Sevenoaks
Gravesend
FAQ
How much does SSIP accreditation cost in Kent?
The cost of SSIP accreditation has two parts; the scheme fee paid directly to the accreditation body and consultant support if you use one.
Scheme fees vary depending on which scheme you choose and the size of your business. Sole traders and very small teams typically pay between £99 and £250 plus VAT per year. Smaller businesses of around 2 to 15 employees can expect to pay between £400 and £1,000 plus VAT per year. SafeContractor starts from £425 plus VAT per year for small contractors.
Consultant support for CHAS preparation typically costs between £500 and £1,500 depending on how much health and safety documentation your business already has in place. For businesses starting from scratch, more work is involved. For those with documentation already in place, support is more straightforward.
Get in touch for an honest conversation about what’s involved for your business specifically. Scheme fees are indicative and subject to change, always check directly with the accreditation body for current pricing.
How long does SSIP accreditation take?
For businesses with documentation already in place, the process can move quickly, typically 2 to 6 weeks from application to certificate, sometimes faster depending on the scheme. For businesses starting from scratch with health and safety documentation, allow 4 to 8 weeks to get everything properly in place before submission. The sooner you start, the more straightforward it is.
Which SSIP scheme should I choose?
The right scheme depends on what your clients require. CHAS and SafeContractor are the most widely recognised across the UK. If you are working predominantly in construction, Constructionline is also commonly required. I can advise on the most appropriate scheme for your business and your client base, and where the Deem to Satisfy rule applies, help you avoid paying for more assessments than you need.
I already hold one SSIP scheme, do I need another?
Not necessarily. The Deem to Satisfy principle means that holding one SSIP-recognised scheme can be used as evidence toward another without a full reassessment. Whether this applies depends on the specific schemes involved and the requirements of your client. I can advise on the most efficient route.
Do you support SSIP renewals as well as first-time applications?
Yes! Renewals are just as important as first-time applications. SSIP accreditation lapses if it is not renewed on time, which can cause problems if a contract opportunity comes up unexpectedly. I manage renewals for businesses across Kent so accreditation stays current without it becoming something else on your to-do list.
Get in contact with Next Step Compliance
Looking for ongoing compliance support for your business in Kent? Want someone to take the management system off your plate? Need to get your ISO system back on track before your next surveillance visit?
Fill in the contact form for a conversation, or use the button below to contact us via WhatsApp.
We can also support you with your ISO 9001, 45001 and Food Safety needs.