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Any business selling alcohol, including small pubs, retailers, large nightclubs, cafés, restaurants, hotels and sports facilities may need trained security staff qualified as door supervisors who hold an SIA licence. A level 2 award for door supervisors in the private security industry qualification is required by law for an individual to apply for a SIA licence to work as a door supervisor.
Highfield is the leading provider of regulated compliance qualifications in the UK, certificating over 350,000 learners a year, and qualifies more door supervisors each year than any other awarding organisation. We’re extremely proud to be a Highfield-approved centre and offer industry-recognised qualifications that will enhance learners’ career prospects.
To register for this qualification, learners must be aged 18 and over. Learners will need to show that they hold a current and valid First Aid or Emergency First Aid certificate* that meets the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981. It is an SIA requirement that training centres must confirm that each learner is sufficiently qualified in First Aid or Emergency First Aid. Learners should present their First Aid or Emergency First Aid certificate* to their training provider before they start training. This certificate* must be valid for at least 12 months from the course start date.
Security operatives are likely in the course of their work to be required to make calls to the emergency services, or for example communicate to resolve conflict. It is essential that security operatives can communicate effectively. To ensure that each learner is sufficiently competent in the use of English and/or Welsh language, All initial language assessments must be conducted in the medium of English and/or Welsh as appropriate.
Learners should, as a minimum, have language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening equivalent to the following.
Training centres must retain this information for all learners against all four competencies for a minimum of three years in line with the retention of assessment evidence requirements.
Minimum contact time is stipulated by the SIA
Unit No. | Unit Reference | Unit Title | Minimum Contact Time | GLH |
1 | J/617/9686 | Principles of working in the private security industry | 9*/17 | 17 |
2 | J/617/9687 | Principles of working as a door supervisor in the private security industry | 11 | 11 |
3 | J/617/9688 | Application of conflict management in the private security industry | 11 | 11 |
4 | J/617/9689 | Application of physical intervention skills in the private security industry | 13 | 13 |
Learning Outcomes | Assessment Criteria |
The learner will | The learner can |
1. Know the main characteristics and purposes of the private security industry | 1.1 Identify the key purposes of the private security industry 1.2 State the aims and functions of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) 1.3 Recognise the required standards of behaviour of a security operative 1.4 Identify the benefits of community safety initiatives 1.5 Recognise how assignment instructions support the security operative role 1.6 Recognise how each security operative role may use CCTV 1.7 Identify the limitations of CCTV within the security operative role 1.8 State the purpose of the Approved Contractor Scheme |
2. Understand legislation as it applies to a security operative | 2.1 Identify the differences between civil and criminal Law 2.2 State the main aims of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 2.3 Identify key legislation relating to promoting equality and diversity in the workplace 2.4 Identify licensable roles under the Private Security Act 2.5 Identify how data protection regulation impacts on the security operative |
3. Understand arrest procedures relevant to security operatives | 3.1 State the meaning of arrest 3.2 Identify offences for which a security operative can make an arrest 3.3 Identify the limitations to a security operative’s powers of arrest 3.4 State procedures to follow when making an arrest 3.5 State why an arrest should only be made as a last resort 3.6 State procedures following an arrest 3.7 State what is meant by ‘reasonable’ and ‘necessary’ force |
4. Understand the importance of safe working practices | 4.1 Identify responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 4.2 Identify the risks of lone working within the private security industry 4.3 Identify typical workplace hazards and risks 4.4 State how to minimise risk to personal safety at work 4.5 Identify safety signs and signals 4.6 State procedures to be followed for recording and reporting accidents and health and safety incidents 4.7 Identify ways to keep personal information safe |
5. Understand fire procedures in the workplace | 5.1 Identify the elements that must be present for fire to exist 5.2 State the actions to be taken upon discovering a fire 5.3 Identify basic fire safety controls 5.4 Identify classifications of fire 5.5 Identify the different types of firefighting equipment 5.6 Identify the role of a fire marshal in the event of an emergency |
6. Understand emergencies and the importance of emergency procedures | 6.1 Identify the key emergency terms 6.2 Identify different types of emergencies within the workplace 6.3 Recognise how people react when emergencies occur 6.4 Identify actions to be taken in an emergency situation 6.5 Identify the role of the security operative in relation to first aid incidents 6.6 Recognise evacuation principles |
7. Understand how to communicate effectively as a security operative | 7.1 Identify the different types of communication 7.2 State the importance of effective communication 7.3 Identify the benefits of teamwork in the private security industry 7.4 State the principles of customer service 7.5 Recognise diverse customer needs and expectations |
8. Understand record-keeping relevant to the role of the security operative | 8.1 State the importance of accurate record-keeping 8.2 Identify the types of records that may need to be completed 8.3 Identify what information to include in records 8.4 Demonstrate the accurate completion of an evidential statement (Section 9 Statement) 8.5 State the process of attending court to give evidence |
9. Understand terror threats and the role of the security operative in the event of a threat | 9.1 Identify the different threat levels 9.2 Recognise the common terror attack methods 9.3 Recognise the actions to take in the event of a terror threat 9.4 Identify the procedures for dealing with suspicious items 9.5 Identify behaviours that could indicate suspicious activity 9.6 Identify how to respond to suspicious behaviour |
10. Understand how to keep vulnerable people safe | 10.1 Recognise duty of care with regard to vulnerable people 10.2 Identify factors that could make someone vulnerable 10.3 Identify actions that the security operative should take towards vulnerable individuals 10.4 Identify behaviours that may be exhibited by sexual predators 10.5 Identify indicators of abuse 10.6 State how to deal with allegations of sexual assault 10.7 State how to deal with anti-social behaviour |
11. Understand good practice for post-incident management | 11.1 Identify sources of post-incident support available 11.2 State why accessing support following an incident is important 11.3 State the benefits of reflecting on incident 11.4 Identify why it is important for security operatives to contribute to improving practice |
Learning Outcomes | Assessment Criteria |
The learner will | The learner can |
1. Understand crimes relevant to door supervision | 1.1 Recognise the types of crimes against a person that a door supervisor may come across 1.2 Recognise common crimes against property and premises that a door supervisor may come across 1.3 Identify an offensive weapon |
2. Know how to conduct effective search procedures | 2.1 State the different type of searches carried out by a door supervisor 2.2 Identify a door supervisor’s right to search 2.3 Identify the different types of searching equipment 2.4 Recognise possible hazards when conducting a search 2.5 State the precautions to take when carrying out a search 2.6 State the actions to take if an incident or an accident occurs 2.7 Demonstrate how to search people and their personal possessions 2.8 Identify the reasons for carrying out a premises search 2.9 Recognise actions to take in the event of a search refusal 2.10 Identify reasons for completing search documentation 2.11 Identify actions to take if a prohibited or restricted item is found during a search |
3. Understand drug-misuse legislation, issues and procedures relevant to the role of a door supervisor | 3.1 Identify relevant aspects of drug-misuse legislation 3.2 Identify common types of illegal drugs 3.3 Recognise the signs and symptoms of drug use 3.4 Identify the signs that may indicate drug dealing 3.5 State the procedure for dealing with individuals found to be in possession of drugs 3.6 State the procedures for handling and storing seized drugs 3.7 State how to dispose of drug-related litter and contaminated waste |
4. Understand preservation of evidence relevant to the role of a door supervisor | 4.1 State reasons for recording and preserving crime scenes 4.2 State actions to take to preserve evidence after an incident 4.3 Identify circumstances when a door supervisor should call the police 4.4 Identify how different types of evidence can be obtained at a crime scene |
5. Understand licensing law relevant to the role of a door supervisor | 5.1 Identify the licensing objectives 5.2 State the law in relation to refusing entry and ejecting customers 5.3 Identify police powers regarding licensed premises 5.4 State the rights and duties of licensees and door supervisors as their representatives 5.5 State the role of the designated premises supervisor (DPS)/premises manager (PM) 5.6 State the law regarding children and young persons on licensed premises 5.7 State conduct that is unlawful under licensing, gaming and sexual offences legislation 5.8 Identify acceptable forms of proof of age |
6. Understand queue management and venue capacity responsibilities relevant to a door supervisor | 6.1 State the responsibilities of a door supervisor when controlling queues 6.2 Recognise the benefits of queue control 6.3 Identify the importance of following dispersal procedures 6.4 State why communication is important throughout the queuing process 6.5 State the responsibilities of a door supervisor in relation to crowd capacity regulations 6.6 Identify how and when to monitor a queue for potential safety issues 6.7 State the factors to consider when ejecting or refusing entry to a person who may be vulnerable |
7. Know how to use equipment relevant to a door supervisor | 7.1 Recognise equipment used to manage venue capacity 7.2 Recognise the different types of personal protective equipment relevant to the role of a door supervisor 7.3 State the purpose of using body-worn cameras (BWC) 7.4 Identify how to communicate effectively using relevant equipment 7.5 Demonstrate effective use of communication devices |
Learning Outcomes | Assessment Criteria |
The learner will | The learner can |
1. Understand the principles of conflict management appropriate to the role | 1.1 Identify situations that can lead to conflict 1.2 State how positive and constructive communication can be used to manage conflict 1.3 Recognise why it is important to be familiar with policies and procedures relating to workplace violence 1.4 Identify the stages of escalation in conflict situations 1.5 Recognise the stages of the attitude and behaviour cycle |
2. Understand how to recognise, assess and reduce risk in conflict situations | 2.1 Recognise the potential risk posed in a conflict situation 2.2 Identify factors that can trigger or inhibit a range of responses in self and others 2.3 Identify a range of responses to conflict situations 2.4 Recognise the stages in de-escalating conflict 2.5 State the importance of positioning and exit routes |
3. Understand the use of problem-solving techniques when resolving conflict | 3.1 Recognise how to use empathy to resolve conflict 3.2 Identify the benefits of using problem-solving techniques 3.3 Recognise how win-win approaches work to resolve conflict situations |
4. Be able to communicate to de-escalate conflict | 4.1 Recognise verbal and non-verbal communication techniques 4.2 Explain how to deal with communication barriers in conflict situations 4.3 Identify different behaviour types 4.4 Demonstrate approaches to take when addressing unacceptable behaviour 4.5 Demonstrate ways to de-escalate conflict situations 4.6 Demonstrate working with colleagues to de-escalate conflict situations |
Learning Outcomes | Assessment Criteria |
The learner will | The learner can |
1. Understand physical interventions and the implications of their use | 1.1 State the legal implications of using physical intervention 1.2 State the professional implications of using physical intervention 1.3 Identify positive alternatives to physical intervention 1.4 Identify the differences between defensive physical skills and physical interventions |
2. Understand the risks associated with using physical intervention | 2.1 Identify the risk factors involved with the use of physical intervention 2.2 Recognise the signs and symptoms associated with acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) and psychosis 2.3 State the specific risks associated with positional asphyxia 2.4 State the specific risks associated with prolonged physical interventions |
3. Understand how to reduce the risks associated with physical intervention | 3.1 State the specific risks of dealing with physical intervention incidents on the ground 3.2 Identify how to deal with physical interventions on the ground appropriately 3.3 Identify ways of reducing the risk of harm during physical interventions 3.4 State the benefits of dynamic risk assessment in situations where physical intervention is used 3.5 State how to manage and monitor a person’s safety during physical intervention 3.6 State the responsibilities of all involved during a physical intervention 3.7 State the responsibilities immediately following a physical intervention 3.8 State why it is important to maintain physical intervention knowledge and skills |
4. Be able to use physical skills to protect yourself and others | 4.1 Demonstrate stance and positioning skills 4.2 Demonstrate skills used to evade and protect against blows 4.3 Demonstrate methods of disengagement from grabs and holds 4.4 Demonstrate non-aggressive intervention methods to stop assaults or fights 4.5 Communicate professionally throughout the physical intervention |
5. Be able to use non-pain compliant standing, holding and escorting techniques | 5.1 Demonstrate how to physically prompt a person 5.2 Demonstrate low-level restrictive standing holds that can be used to escort an individual 5.3 Demonstrate low-level restrictive standing one and two-person holds that can be used to escort an individual 5.4 Demonstrate transitions between disengagement techniques and escorting techniques 5.5 Demonstrate how to escort an individual on stairways 5.6 Demonstrate how to disengage safely 5.7 Demonstrate how to manage risk immediately following disengagement |
The Level 2 Award in Door Supervision is assessed by three straightforward multiple-choice exams.
The vast majority of our candidates pass at their first attempt, but there is no limit to the number of times you can resit the exams. We have trained over 10,000 candidates in this qualification and have a 96% pass rate. DSTO offers 2 free resits per candidate subject to our terms and conditions.
(Please note – You MUST be 18 or over to both attend the training and apply for your SIA License.)
On receipt of your exam results, the information is uploaded by our awarding body within 48 hours. First-time applicants must apply online for their licence. Renewals can only apply by phone. Delays are often caused by:
You can track how your application is proceeding by going to the Application Status checker on the SIA Website