Security update - December 2022 | Pearson qualifications

Security update - December 2022

Tue Dec 20 10:45:00 UTC 2022

An update on everything new within the Security and Protective Services sector.

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Update to Security Quality Assurance

Please be aware that from this academic year, 2022-2023, we have moved to a model where face-to-face visit(s) will be required for the Security sector under the following roles: 

For WBL Lead Standards Verifier (LSV) activity, we will move to a model where: 

  • Initial LSV activity will normally be face-to-face 
  • Subsequent centre support will be remote 

For sector-specific Standards Verification (SV) activity (Security sector): 

  • At least one Standards Verification (SV) activity will need to be face-to-face, usually the first activity of the academic year
  • Second Standards Verification activity will generally be remote

 
Please be aware that there is potential for unannounced Security SV visits to take place throughout the academic year. This is in line with the high-risk nature of the sector and the requirements of the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

Additionally, the Security Centre Handbook is currently being updated and will reflect the above changes. It will be made available by Friday 16 December 2022.  

Close Protection (Top Up) Delivery

The SIA has recognised that there may be some opportunities for efficiencies in the delivery of the two physical intervention units within the Close Protection (Top Up) qualification.

The knowledge elements for each of these units are separate and distinct.  The knowledge ACs for each unit must be delivered in full and do not offer any delivery efficiencies.

However there are some practical skills that are common across the units and may be mapped from the DS PI to the CP PI unit.  For example, ACs 1.2 and 1.7 in the DS PI unit contain similar learning to ACs 2.3 and 2.5 respectively in CP PI unit.   Therefore the time taken delivering ACs 1.2 & 1.7 during the DS PI unit could be mapped to their identified counterparts in the CP PI unit and avoid some duplication of delivery.

Please note that some assessment criteria appear similar, but the context and underpinning skills may be different between the two units.  In these cases, the gaps must be delivered and assessed separately.

Requirements

  • The DS PI unit must be delivered in full prior to the CP PI unit 
  • The mapping must be from the DS PI unit to the CP PI unit and not vice versa
  • The delivery model used for the DS PI and CP PI units must be the same
  • If centres wish to complete their own mapping of the two units and develop a holistic delivery model they must get written agreement from the PI provider and it must be submitted to Pearson for review and approval before it is implemented in the delivery of the centre’s Close Protection (Top Up) course.

Other delivery options to reduce face to face contact time

These are not new, but a reminder of the following:

  • Principles of Terror Threat Awareness unit can be delivered via e-learning (ACT E-learning and ACT E-learning (Security))
  • Self-study materials can be used for the delivery of the Principles of Working as a Door Supervisor for Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry unit

Depending on which combination of delivery options are used, delivery time for the Close Protection (Top Up) qualification may be reduced from 5 days to 3 or 4 days.

Reminder: Any plans to reduce the delivery time MUST be approved by the PI provider and Pearson before they are implemented.

Test Notifications: Resits

Please note that you are required to submit test notifications for all tests, including resits.  You must notify us of all test dates a minimum of 5 working days before the test date.

If you need to cancel a test that you have already notified us of, please let us know by emailing vqtestinspections@pearson.com

If you wish to offer learners a resit opportunity within 5 working days of the original test date, you should submit a test notification at the same time as you are submitting the original test notification form.  If learners do not need to resit, you should notify us that you are cancelling the test booking as soon as possible, as outlined above.

Centre Approval: additional sites

You must gain approval from us in order to offer our Pearson Security qualifications. Approval is given at centre level and then subsequently for each qualification that you wish to offer and each site you will be delivering/assessing at. 

Please note that if you wish to deliver and assess security programmes at additional sites you must gain approval for those sites prior to any delivery.

To apply for approval for an additional site you must:

  • Complete the Security Annex A Approval Form for the new site
  • Complete the Change of Centre Details form:
    • Section 4: Request to add an additional site

To request the Change of Centre Details form please contact us via the Customer Portal:

  • Issue type: Approvals and Centre Details
  • Category type: Update Details
    • Subcategory type: Change of Address

Approval of additional sites will follow the standard approval process and all approval criteria must be met.  Please bear in mind the timescales involved in the approval process (a minimum of 23 working days) when planning for delivery at a new site – delivery of training or assessment must not take place at any venue that has not been approved by us.

Key things to consider when applying for approval for additional sites:

  • The venue must be risk assessed for its suitability to deliver training and assessment
  • The risk assessment must be completed before each training course
  • If you intend to deliver tests at an additional site you must have an appropriate policy in place to support the secure transportation and storage of test materials
  • The test room must meet JCQ requirements
  • If delivering the Physical Intervention unit(s) the room intended for delivery must meet the venue requirements as outlined in the Security Centre Handbook:
    • The room should have an unobstructed area of approximately 2 x 2 metres per person to ensure learners have space to demonstrate techniques safely
    • A minimum of 3 stairs must be available for the demonstration, practice and assessment of escorting an individual up and down stairs
    • There must be safety equipment available:
      • a BS 8599-I:2019 approved first aid kit
      • ice packs
      • access to water and a telephone
  • The additional site will normally require a physical visit by an SV to confirm that it is suitable.  If it is not a premises that you own/rent/control access to, you will need to arrange access for an SV to visit and inspect the site, including all rooms intended to be used for delivery.

Please note that we will monitor test notification forms and will take action where centres are delivering tests at unapproved sites.

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