SIA training specifications and licence suspension criteria
Published 2 May 2024
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1. Request
I have had a look at the following guidance: Knowledge and Skills Specification: Door Supervision.
Please can you confirm if the guidance is still in scope in 2024, and where I can find more information? I want something more specific relating to Section 2: Searching. At the minute, it is just bullet points with a wide scope. Is it up to the individual training providers to deliver this training, and to what extent, or is there another SIA centralised document somewhere?
In addition, can you please confirm what basis is used when an SIA licence is suspended? Is there a detailed SIA handbook or code of conduct? I see Draft code of conduct for SIA licence holders and licence applicants still has DRAFT watermarked on it. Has this been approved and published officially yet?
2. Response
I can confirm that the SIA does hold this information. A response to each part of your query is outlined below.
2.1 SIA training specifications
The SIA is required to set or approve standards of training, and this is done by creating and publishing specifications for learning and qualifications. These specifications are used by awarding organisations recognised to offer assessment and quality assurance for nationally recognised qualifications. The training is delivered by training providers who are in turn approved and audited by one or more awarding organisations.
For all SIA licence-linked training specifications, please visit this section of our website: Read the specifications for SIA licence-linked training.
Here you can find the most up-to-date training specifications. I can confirm that the last update was made in April 2021.
2.2 More specific searching guidance
The SIA does have more specific guidance on our search procedures. However, we are preparing this guidance for publication, so we are not required to disclose it at this time. The information is exempt because we are holding it with a view to its future publication. For more detail, please refer to Section 22 (1) (a) of the Freedom of Information Act.
Once we publish the more detailed guidance it will be available on our website immediately.
2.3 SIA criteria for suspending a licence
For the criteria used by the SIA when suspending a licence, please go to page 60 of ‘Get Licensed’: SIA: Get Licensed.
Every licence we grant has conditions attached to it. These conditions must be adhered to by all licence holders. For further information on licence conditions, please go to page 53 of ‘Get Licensed’.
The SIA has a list of behaviour standards which must be observed by security operatives. This list can be viewed here: Standards of behaviour for security operatives.
[Reference: FOI 0497]