SIA Consultation: Have Your Say
27 April 2010
The SIA is consulting on whether there is a need for existing licence-holders to update their skills with top-up training, when they next renew their licences.
Background
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) licenses those working in designated sectors of the private security industry, including door supervisors. The possession of a licence shows that the holder has no recent serious criminal convictions, has a right to work in the UK, and has a basic qualification appropriate to the licensable role involved. A basic standard of training is required to obtain a licence. The SIA sets training standards through its ‘Core Competency Specifications’. It has recently refreshed these specifications to reflect the skills and knowledge currently need to work in the private security industry.
A recent review conducted by the SIA (August 2008-June 2009) has highlighted the need for additional skills and knowledge by Door Supervisors, including:
- Physical Skills (physical interventions)
- First Aid Awareness
- Understanding how to eject and/or refuse entry to those aged 14-18
- Awareness of the threat of terrorism
These areas will be added into the ‘Core Competency Specifications’, and will form part of the licence-linked qualification for new entrants to the private security industry who are seeking a door supervisor’s licence for the first time from June 2010.
The SIA believes there is also a need for existing licence-holders to update their skills with top-up training, when they next renew their licences. The consultation document refers only to top-up training that would be required by existing licence-holders for them to renew their licence and continue to work in the industry.
If top-up training is to be introduced as a result of this consultation, the SIA proposes that the requirement should be implemented from May 2011.
The Proposals
To introduce an enhanced training requirement for door supervisors when they renew their licences. This will ensure they have the up to date skills, knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities in the security industry.
All Door Supervisors wishing to renew their licence after May 2011 who hold a qualification gained before June 2010 (when the additional training will be included for new applicants) would need to take the top-up training.
The Options
- Do nothing
- ‘One-off’ compulsory top-up training (likely between one and two days’ duration) applicable before issue of next licence after May 2011
- Compulsory top-up training plus compulsory renewal training in Physical Intervention Skills every three years before renewing their licence.
The Government believes that option 3 offers the most effective approach and is keen to receive the views of the public and the industry. Other proposed solutions are welcomed.
