Guidance

Changes to the delivery of SIA licence-linked training

Updated 9 March 2021

This guidance was withdrawn on 1 April 2021

This page has been withdrawn. Up-to-date versions of these documents can be found on the following pages:

• Teaching SIA licence-linked training courses
• Read the specifications for SIA licence-linked training
• SIA licensing: first aid training requirement

1. New licence-linked qualifications

Questions in this section:

1.1 Can we deliver the new qualifications before 1 April 2021?

No.

1.2 Will there be any changes to the trainer requirements in order to deliver security qualifications?

Yes. These include:

• an assessor qualification and yearly counter-terrorism training from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO)
• an increased continuing professional development requirement for current trainers (now 40 hours)
• new trainers will need 5 years’ experience (not the current 2).

You can read more about these changes in our ‘Get Training’ document.

1.3 Will physical intervention trainers need to upskill, or is this covered in the yearly refresher?

We are not requiring any upskilling for physical intervention for door supervisor trainers apart from their annual refresher.

1.4 How can we deliver the new qualifications?

You can deliver the new qualifications using a mixture of self-study, virtual classroom, and face-to-face training. Your awarding organisation can give you more details on delivery methods.

You must deliver the practical elements of physical intervention face-to-face.

1.5 Have you considered that the increase in course length will increase the costs for training providers?

Yes. We did a full impact assessment, which was approved by the Home Office.

1.6 What other skills do learners need to have before they take the new qualifications?

You can find the pre-requisite requirements for students in our ‘Get Training’ document.

You are responsible for ensuring that your learners are competent in English and/or Welsh.

1.7 How long will the new training take?

Qualifications	New, with self-study	New, without self-study	Old, with self-study	Old, without self-study
Cash and Valuables in Transit	24 hours over 4 days	27 hours over 4 days	Not applicable	28 hours over 4 days
Close Protection (unchanged)	139.5 hours over 12 days	140 hours over 12 days	139.5 hours over 12 days	140 hours over 12 days
Door Supervision	44 hours over 6 days	52 hours over 7 days	32.5 hours over 4 days	45 hours over 6 days
Public Space Surveillance (CCTV)	22 hours over 3 days	30 hours over 4 days	23 hours over 3 days	32 hours over 4 days
Security Guarding	30 hours over 4 days	38 hours over 5 days	18.5 hours over 3 days	28 hours over 4 days

1.8 Why are the security guard and door supervisor courses a day longer than they were?

There are more practical assessments in the new content, which take longer. Everyone will need to do at least one physical search. We have added more content including personal safety, knowledge of physical intervention for security guards, and knowledge of door supervision equipment for door supervisors. We have removed any repeated content.

1.9 Does the SIA have a strategy to reduce the potential gaps in training between existing licence holders and new licence holders?

Yes. The purpose of the top-up training that takes effect from 1 October is to bridge the gap for existing holders of Door Supervisor and Security Guard licences.

1.10 Will the contact hours be the same for blended learning as for face-to-face learning?

The contact hours will be the same but you should allow additional time for any training that is delivered remotely, as you will need to allow for screen breaks, problems with the technology you are using, and so on.

1.11 Can trainers deliver all of the new CCTV and security guarding qualifications remotely?

The new CCTV and security guarding training can be delivered using a blended delivery - so, not delivered entirely remotely or face to face. We may change our approach depending on the course of the pandemic.

2. Top-up training

Questions in this section:

2.1 Do we need to film practical assessments? If so, how long must we keep the digital content?

Yes, you must record practical assessments in a way that makes clear who is being assessed. There must also be a clear distinction between training and assessment. The recordings must be stored securely for 3 years.

We provide more detail about this in our ‘Get Training’ document.

2.2 Who needs to do the top-up training?

We explain this on our Changes to the training you need for an SIA licence page.

2.3 How long will it take to do the top-up training?

It depends on which licence the learner wants to apply for:

• Door supervisor = 2 days
• Security guard = 1.5 days

In both cases they will need to complete first aid training (Emergency First at Work or equivalent) before they take the top-up training. The first aid training is 1 day.

2.4 What is included in the top-up training?

An Emergency First Aid at Work qualification (or equivalent) must be completed before taking the top-up training.

Door supervisors:

• use of equipment
• updated terror threat awareness
• physical intervention skills refresher training (knowledge and practical)
• knowledge around critical incidents eg. where to access government guidance on pandemic responses

Security guards:

• knowledge of physical intervention
• updated terror threat awareness
• knowledge around critical incidents eg. where to access government guidance on pandemic responses

2.5 How can we deliver the top-up training?

You can deliver the new qualifications using a mixture of self-study, virtual classroom, and face-to-face training. Your awarding organisation can give you more details on delivery methods.

You must deliver the practical elements of physical intervention face-to-face.

2.6 How will the top-up training be assessed?

The security guard top-up training will be assessed by an exam. The door supervisor top-up training will be assessed by 2 exams (door supervisor knowledge and physical intervention knowledge) plus a practical physical intervention assessment.

3. General

Questions in this section:

3.1 Where can I find training materials for theoretical and practical training/assessments or equipment such as body worn video camera and breathalyser requirements?

Your awarding organisation will provide you with training materials.

3.2 We have seen guidance that suggests the practical assessments must be recorded for 15 minutes each. Is this recording in addition to contact hours?

The recording is within the contact hours. We expect that some training providers might combine the searching and conflict management practical assessments. We suggest a duration of 15 minutes.