Guidance

First aid training requirement for door supervisors and security guards

Updated 6 September 2024

This document sets out the SIA’s rules on first aid training for door supervisors and security guards. It tells you what you must check if you offer SIA licence-linked training, and what you must do if you want to offer the first aid training yourself.

From October 2024 your course must explicitly cover how to respond to life-threatening bleeding and how to open airways. If you are delivering an emergency first aid at work (EFAW) course, this is in addition to the standard syllabus.

1. Check the learner has the required first aid qualifications

You must confirm that each learner for door supervision and security guarding holds a valid first aid qualification before they take the SIA licence-linked training.

Some examples of evidence you can accept are:

• their qualification certificate
• a copy of their assessment record signed by their trainer confirming achievement of a qualification
• an email from their training provider confirming that the learner has passed the qualification and the training provider has requested a certificate from the relevant awarding organisation

You must keep a copy of the evidence for at least 3 years.

2. First aid qualifications you can accept

You can accept a first aid qualification if all of the following statements are true:

1. It meets the requirements of Appendix 2, ‘Content of an emergency first aid at work (EFAW) course’ of Selecting a first-aid training provider: A guide for employers.
2. It is valid for at least another 12 months from the start of the SIA licence-linked training.
3. You have made reasonable efforts to confirm that it complies with all other requirements of Selecting a first-aid training provider: A guide for employers, particularly those listed in paragraph 14.
4. You have made reasonable efforts to confirm that the practical elements of training were delivered and assessed face to face.

Some examples of the practical elements of training are:

• CPR
• applying tourniquets
• applying haemostatic dressings – these contain chemical agents that speed up blood clotting to prevent life-threatening blood loss
• keeping airways open

Some examples of what we mean by “reasonable efforts” are:

• you have checked the information provided on the certificate
• you have researched the details of the course online
• you have contacted the organisation that delivered the course
• you have reviewed course material given to you by the learner

You must keep a record of the checks you made to satisfy points 3 and 4 above. You must keep these records for at least 3 years.

Some examples of the qualifications you can accept are:

• EFAW or First Aid at Work (FAW) qualifications awarded by any of the following:
  • an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA
  • a voluntary aid society (such as St John Ambulance, British Red Cross or St Andrew’s First Aid)
  • a training provider delivering a programme that meets HSE requirements for delivery of EFAW or FAW
• any of the following if they were awarded by an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA:
  • a First Responder Emergency Care qualification
  • a First Person on Scene qualification
  • a Casualty Care qualification

You can also accept:

• a medical degree
• a nursing or paramedic qualification

Please contact your awarding organisation for more details.

3. Delivering the first aid training yourself

If you combine first aid training and SIA licence-linked training into one training package, you must ensure that learners complete and pass the first aid training before you complete delivery of the licence-linked training.

From October 2024 your course must explicitly cover how to respond to life-threatening bleeding and how to open airways. This is required by us and by the Health and Safety Executive. If you are delivering an emergency first aid at work (EFAW) course, this is in addition to the standard syllabus.

You must comply with all of the requirements set out in Selecting a first-aid training provider: A guide for employers.

Your first aid training must comply with Delivery Standards for Regulated First Aid Qualifications.

You can deliver your first aid training through blended learning as long as you comply with Blended Learning in First Aid Quality Assurance Standards.

3.1 Assessing and certifying the first aid training you deliver

You must:

• confirm that the person you are assessing is the person who took the training
• conduct an assessment of competence – this must include a face-to-face practical assessment

Your first aid certificates must conform with paragraph 32 of Selecting a first-aid training provider: A guide for employers, and meet the requirements of explicitly delivering training on life-threatening bleeding and keeping airways open.

3.2 Reasonable adjustments

You can make “reasonable adjustments” if someone is unable to complete all of the training because of a mental or physical disability.

The learner must provide evidence that confirms they are unable to complete all of the training. You must keep a copy of the evidence for at least 3 years.

If necessary, “reasonable adjustments” may include allowing the learner to undertake a ‘knowledge only’ qualification.

Some examples of the ‘knowledge only’ qualifications you can offer or accept are:

• QN UK L2 Essential First Aid
• Red Cross First Aid for Adults

You can find guidance on reasonable adjustments for first aid training on the First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum’s website.