Press release

SIA publishes sector profile on recruitment and retention in the door supervision sector

The SIA has today published a 'snapshot' profile of the door supervision sector. The report looks at employment issues in the sector. It draws on findings from recent surveys and past research conducted by the SIA. It also uses data from the SIA licensing system.

Data from the SIA licensing system shows that the number of door supervisor licences and licence applications is the highest it has been in the last 10 years.

Responses to surveys undertaken by the SIA suggest that some companies within the sector have found it difficult to recruit and retain door supervisors.

Responses indicated that the main barriers to retention are:

  • some door supervisors have found alternative work during the pandemic and are reluctant to return to the sector;
  • some who have previously worked as door supervisors are reluctant to come off furlough pay.

Responses to surveys undertaken by the SIA also indicated that barriers to recruitment and retention are:

  • low pay
  • unsociable hours
  • job insecurity
  • high levels of physical and verbal abuse, training costs
  • the licence application fee (application or renewal)

The full findings and data from this research can be found here.

The report is the first in a series of private security industry profiles undertaken by the SIA. Further sector profiles will be published in due course.

Note to editors:

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities, and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

The SIA is not the employer of licence holders.

For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit www.gov.uk/sia. The SIA is also on Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (SIAuk).

Updates to this page

Published 20 July 2021