Public
consultation launched into specialist training for door supervisors
Plans to raise standards by introducing additional training for
UK door supervisors will form part of a Home Office consultation
launched today.
The aim of the new proposals is to
protect the public by raising standards of training across the
industry. Additional training will include physical intervention,
first aid, special considerations when dealing with young people
and awareness of the threat of terrorism.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has already included
the additional training elements as part of the new qualifications
being introduced from June 2010.
The 14-week public consultation proposes making the additional
skills a requirement for existing door supervisors in the form of
top-up training that must be taken before renewing their licence.
This would also apply to those who have an existing qualification
and want to apply for a licence for the first time.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said:
"Door supervisors deal directly with members of the
public, often working in difficult situations where conflict can arise.
"It is vital that they are properly equipped to carry
out their role and meet the challenges they face to better protect
the public.
"These proposals aim to improve public safety and raise
standards of training for door supervisors."
Bill Butler, SIA chief executive, said:
"We welcome these proposals, many of which were
suggested by the Industry. They understand the challenges faced by
door supervisors and the skills needed to carry out their duties
professionally, whilst protecting the public.
"We are encouraging those working in the door
supervision sector, training providers and stakeholders to
contribute to this important piece of work."
If the decision is made to implement the proposals, top-up
training will be compulsory for all door supervisors from May 2011.
The SIA will work with awarding bodies to ensure training is
available from October 2010.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The consultation document and impact assessment can be found
on the Home Office and SIA websites at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/
and http://sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/home.
2. The consultation document and impact assessment set out three
options for training for existing door supervisors:
- do nothing;
- introduce top-up training for door
supervisors as a requirement
for licence renewals; and
-
as above, but with an additional requirement for refresher
training (in physical intervention) each time door supervisors
renew
their licences subsequently.
3. The consultation paper puts forward option three as the
preferred option. This will improve public safety in situations of
conflict where door supervisors are involved. The draft impact
assessment sets out the costs and benefits identified in taking
forward this option.
4. The SIA issues licences for door supervision, as one of the
categories of licensable conduct under the Private Security
Industry Act 2001. Before door supervisors can obtain a licence,
they are required to have an approved training qualification.
5. A recent review by the SIA identified four new areas (physical
intervention, first aid, dealing with young people, and awareness
of the threat of terrorism) which should be covered in future to
ensure public safety in the current environment. The SIA will be
including these in its competency standards for new applicants
from June 2010. The Home Office consultation is on whether to also
make top-up training a requirement for existing door supervisors
when they renew their licences, to ensure they have been trained
to the same standard as new
entrants.
6. For all media enquiries on the Home Office consultation call
the Home
Office Press Office on 0207 035 3535.
248/2009
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk