FYI - SIA CHANGES IN THE TRAINING OF SECURITY OPERATIVES - MAKE SURE YOUR SECUIRTY OPERATIVES ARE FULLY TRAINED
The SIA has made some changes to the training Security operatives need to take before they can get a front line SIA licence.
The changes are:
- The introduction of new, updated qualifications for all sectors except close protection and vehicle immobilisation
- All operatives must have a first aid qualification before they can take the training required for a door supervisor or security operative licence
They also advise that they will be making more changes in October 2021:
- on 1 October 2021, the SIA will introduce updated close protection qualifications
- from 1 October 2021, operatives must have one of the new qualifications or take top-up training before they can apply for a door supervisor and security operative licence – this includes renewals
What are the reasons behind these changes?
The SIA (Security Industry Authority is the statutory organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. It was established as a non-departmental public body in 2003, the SIA reports to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
The two duties of the SIA are to regulate the compulsory licensing of individuals who undertake designated activities within the private security industry and to manage a voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security service suppliers against independently established assessment criteria.
As part of their role, the SIA believes that they need to make sure that people working in the private security industry can:
- keep the public safe
- follow new working practices
- understand recent changes to the law
- make the best use of new technology
Keeping the Public Safe - First aid training
Applicants for a close protection licence are already expected to to complete a first aid qualification before taking their licence-linked training. Now, however, the SIA expect applicants for a door supervisor or security operative licence to do the same.
Security operatives will need to do this if either of the following apply:
- they are applying for a licence for the first time
- it has been longer than 3 years since they last held a licence for that activity
From 1 October 2021, security operatives will also need to do this if you are renewing their licence. An SIA Security operative Licence is valid for 3 years. Once it expires, operatives need to reapply and take another course.
The qualification must be an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent.
The SIA believe that the requirement for first aid training will improve their skills as an SIA licence holder. It will not change the obligations operatives have when responding to an emergency.
What is meant by “equivalent”?
The SIA will accept other qualifications that comply with the relevant guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. For example:
- First Aid at Work (FAW)
- First Person on Scene (FPOS)
- First Response Emergency Care (FREC)
operatives should check with their training provider for more information.
Follow new working practices - top-up training for some licence holders
From 1 October 2021, operatives must have one of the following before they can apply for, or renew, a door supervisor or security operative licence:
- one of the new qualifications set in place in April 2021
- one of the older licence-linked qualifications and a ‘top-up’ qualification
This applies to any applications submitted on or after 1 October, including renewals. If operatives submit their application before this date, they will not need to take additional training.
For holders of a door supervisor licence
From 1 October 2021, if a operative holds a door supervisor licence, they can choose one of the following options:
- take the door supervisor top-up training and renew their door supervisor licence
- take the security operative top-up training and switch to a security operative licence
In either case, they must have an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before they can take the top-up training.
The security operative top-up training is shorter than the door supervisor top-up training, so is likely to be cheaper. However, operatives should consider the day-to-day duties of the job that they do. If their job involves operativeing licensed premises (such as a pub or a club) they will need to renew their door supervisor licence.
Other changes
More relevant course material
The SIA has moved training that is critical for all sectors to the ‘common unit’ (taken by all security operatives). This includes new training on:
- terror threat awareness
- dealing with emergencies
Theyhave introduced new sector-specific content – for example:
- the close protection course includes new material on physical intervention
- the door supervision course includes new material on the use of equipment such as body worn video recorders and breathalysers
- the public space surveillance (CCTV) course includes new material on CCTV operational procedures and the law
- the security operativeing course includes new material covering personal safety
More practical assessments
The SIA has increased the number of practical elements in the training to help learners reinforce their knowledge. The practical assessments include:
- searching
- dealing with conflict
- report/statement writing
- using communications devices
The SIA has kindly created a flowchart to explain what the changes mean for people applying for a door supervisor or security operative licence and also for employers of security operatives.
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