Welcome to SiLC
The Specialist in Land Condition (SiLC) register scheme is a professional body that provides the highest level of accreditation for chartered individuals working in the land condition sector. A registered SiLC is a senior practitioner who has a broad awareness, knowledge and understanding of land condition issues, providing impartial and professional advice in their field of expertise. SiLC exists to promote the highest standards of professional competence for those engaged in professional work relating to land condition.
The scheme was originally launched by the UK Government’s Urban Task Force in 1999, to recognise the skills of those working in the broader land condition sector. Since its launch in January 2017, SiLC has also been the only approved awarding body for Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) able to sign-off land contamination reports under the National Quality Mark Scheme. The registration process involves making an application and passing an open book examination and interview, with two rounds held each year. Successful candidates become registered as a SiLC and an SQP. See more information here.
The SiLC Register is run and administered by the Board of Directors and the Professional and Technical Panel (PTP) supported by a Secretariat, Forum Court Associates. The PTP is led by a Chair and Deputy Chair and includes representatives from the eight supporting organisations (seven professional bodies plus AGS) and a small number of ‘co-opted’ members. The PTP is responsible for the maintenance of the SiLC and SQP Registers, develops and implements the examination process (through a sub-group), maintains the SiLC Criteria and Code of Practice, ensures the continuing professional development (CPD) of SiLCs, and supports the promotion and value of the SiLC register.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a core cultural behaviour embedded into the SiLC Register. SiLC has a vision to provide and promote an inclusive culture where everyone belongs and can be their true self. SiLC recognises that it must provide and promote inclusive opportunities to all practitioners regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and circumstance if it is to meet the needs of our whole society – see further information here. We have a subgroup that considers relevant issues in this area and advises the PTP on actions to take or aspects to consider.
SiLC is actively involved in championing quality in the provision of advice on land condition issues, promoting better regulation – such as application of the CL:AIRE Definition of Waste: Code of Practice (DoW CoP) – and responding to areas of societal concern, for example climate and sustainability considerations for brownfield development. We work closely with our supporting professional bodies on these matters, with other stakeholders and industry leaders, such as CL:AIRE, and actively participate in the National Brownfield Forum.
