The Property Care Association is encouraging landscape professionals to help shape a competency framework which will provide a clear, evidence-based approach to demonstrating legal compliance in the management of invasive non native plants.

The Management of Invasive Non Native Plants Competence Steering Group, chaired by the PCA, was established to develop the framework in order to comply with legislation put in place in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.

As well as defining the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours required for key job roles involved in invasive non native plant management the group will also agree how competence requirements should be implemented, evidenced and maintained.

Daniel Docking, Technical Manager at PCA said: “The investigation into the Grenfell Tower tragedy recognised systemic failure, where individuals were undertaking safety critical work without a consistent or defensible way of demonstrating competence.

“The framework we are developing is designed to ensure that those working within the built environment can show they have the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours required to undertake their roles safely and responsibly.

“Individuals and businesses concerned with the management of invasive non native plants routinely operate on live construction and infrastructure sites, directly influencing development decisions and land value as well as undertaking activities that carry clear legal duties.

“Biosecurity, waste handling, environmental protection and the use of pesticides are all subject to statutory control and assumptions of competence are no longer sufficient.

“The aim is to move away from informal or inconsistent interpretations of competence to an approach that will enable individuals and employers to demonstrate legal compliance, defend professional decisions and clearly evidence competence when challenged.”

The Management of Invasive Non Native Plants Competence Steering Group is one of dozens of groups working to establish competency frameworks across the built environment under the umbrella of the Competence Steering Group (CSG), which is supported by stakeholders across construction and allied sectors including the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

PCA Chief Executive Sarah Garry said: “The requirement for those operating in the built environment to be able to demonstrate competence and compliance is now embedded within the Building Safety Act 2022.

“The Management of Invasive Non Native Plants Competence Steering Group is seeking feedback from people working across the landscape sector on the proposed competency framework to help ensure that the standards put in place are fit for purpose, practical and impactful.”

To view the framework document, contact PCA Technical Manager, Daniel Docking: daniel@property-care.org.