Security and Protective Services update - February 2022
An update on everything new within the Security and Protective Services sector.
Close Protection Update
As you know, the current Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry has a last registration date of 31 March 2022. From 1 April 2022 new learners will need to be registered on the new qualification: Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry.
Please find below an update on the key changes within this new qualification.
Structure
There are a number of new units in the new qualification. The new structure is as follows:
- Principles of Working as a Close Protection Operative in the Private Security Industry
- Working as a Close Protection Operative in the Private Security Industry
- Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry
- Principles of Terror Threat Awareness in the Private Security Industry
- Knowledge of Door Supervision Responsibilities for Close Protection Operatives
- Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry (Close Protection)
- Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry
All units are mandatory.
Assessment
The new qualification includes a combination of knowledge and practical assessments. The table below details the assessments for each unit.
| Unit | Knowledge Assessment | Practical Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Working as a Close Protection Operative in the Private Security Industry | MCT Workbook |
Workbook, Portfolio of Evidence |
| Working as a Close Protection Operative in the Private Security Industry | Workbook | Workbook, Portfolio of Evidence |
| Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry | MCT | Practical scenario |
| Principles of Terror Threat Awareness in the Private Security Industry | MCT | N/A |
| Knowledge of Door Supervision Responsibilities for Close Protection Operatives | MCT | N/A |
| Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry (Close Protection) | MCT Q&A |
Externally set, internally assessed observation |
| Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry | MCT Q&A |
Externally set, internally assessed observation |
Delivery Time
The delivery time for the qualification has increased in-line with the inclusion of the new units:
- Total Qualification Time: 235 hours
- SIA Minimum Contact Time: 194 hours
- SIA Minimum Number of Days: 18
The table below details the SIA Total Learning and Assessment Time, SIA Minimum Contact Time, SIA Permitted Self-Study and the Total Unit time for each unit.
| Unit | SIA Total Learning and Assessment Time | SIA Minimum Contact Time | SIA permitted self-study | Ofqual Total Unit Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principles of Working as a Close Protection Operative | 68 | 68 | 0 | 75 |
| Working as a Close Protection Operative | 70 | 70 | 0 | 94 |
| Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry | 11 | 11 | 0 | 13 |
| Knowledge of Door Supervision Responsibilities for Close Protection Operatives | 10 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
| Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry | 13 | 13 | 0 | 17 |
| Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry (Close Protection) | 20 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Principles of Terror Threat Awareness in the Private Security Industry | 2 | 2* | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 194 | 194 | 3 | 235 |
Virtual Learning
We have identified where virtual learning is acceptable within the new qualification.
Any training provider wishing to use virtual learning must be approved to deliver in this way. The attached document SIA Requirements for Using Virtual Learning outlines the criteria for centres wishing to deliver via virtual learning. It is also available on our website here:
SIA requirements for using virtual learning
Please see the table below for an overview of what can be delivered by virtual learning and what must be delivered face to face:
| Unit | Notes |
|---|---|
| Principles of Working as a Close Protection Operative | This unit can be delivered by virtual learning, with the exception of AC12.5 which must be delivered face to face |
| Working as a Close Protection Operative | The following must be delivered face to face:
The remainder of the unit may be delivered by virtual learning |
| Knowledge of Door Supervision Responsibilities | This unit can be delivered by virtual learning |
| Application of Conflict Management | The following must be delivered face to face: AC4.4, AC4.5, AC4.6 The remainder of the unit may be delivered by virtual learning |
| Application of Physical Intervention Skills | The following must be delivered face to face:
|
| Application of Physical Intervention Skills (Close Protection) | LOs 8 – 13 must be delivered face to face. |
| Principles of Terror Threat Awareness in the Private Security Industry | This unit can be delivered by virtual learning |
Tutor / Trainer Requirements
There are a number of new requirements for those who wish to deliver the training for the new qualification, in particular for those wishing to deliver the Physical Intervention units. Please see the table below for an overview of the requirements:
| Requirement | Level 3 CP trainers* | L3 DS PI trainers | L3 CP PI trainers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years CP front-line operational experience in the last 5 years | X |
X |
|
| Level 3 Award for Deliverers of Physical Intervention Training | X | ||
| Current licence from an approved Level 3 Physical Intervention programme provider to deliver the approved Level 2 PI programme | X | ||
| Level 3 Award for Deliverers of Physical Intervention Training (Close Protection) | X | ||
| Current licence from an approved Level 3 Physical Intervention (Close Protection) programme provider to deliver the approved Level 2 PI (CP) programme | X | ||
| Level 3 Award in Education and Training or equivalent (see spec for full details) | X | X | X |
| Level 3 Award in The Delivery of Conflict Management | X |
X |
X |
| 40 hours relevant CPD activity (see spec for full details) | X | X | X |
| ACT e-Learning and ACT e-Learning (Security) Training (must be completed annually) | X |
*those delivering the following units:
- Principles of Working as a Close Protection Operative
- Working as a Close Protection Operative
- Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry
- Knowledge of DS Responsibilities for CPOs
- Principles of Terror Threat Awareness in the Private Security Industry
Centre Approval
The inclusion of Physical Intervention units within the new Close Protection qualification means that centres will have to meet additional approval criteria in order to be approved. Approval will be applied as follows:
| Current Centre Approval Status | Approval requirement |
|---|---|
| Pearson CP centres with approval to deliver the Pearson Door Supervisor and/or Pearson Door Supervisor Top Up qualification | Auto approved |
| Pearson CP centres with approval to deliver another AO approved licence linked Door Supervisor and/or Door Supervisor Top Up qualification | Evidence of Door Supervisor approval held with another AO |
| Pearson CP centres with no approval to deliver any licence linked Door Supervisor qualification |
|
| Application of Physical Intervention Skills (Close Protection) | LOs 8 – 13 must be delivered face to face. |
| Principles of Terror Threat Awareness in the Private Security Industry | This unit can be delivered by virtual learning |
** It is best practice to provide a realistic work environment for the training and assessment of any required practical activities. Those training and assessing physical intervention must provide an environment with a minimum of 3 stairs for the demonstration, practice, and assessment of escorting an individual up and downstairs.
As a guide, an unobstructed area of approximately 2 x 2 metres per person, (including the trainer) provides the necessary room for movement and activity for physical intervention training. For example a maximum class size of 12, plus trainer, needs a floor area of approximately 52 square metres.
Please note that approval may be withdrawn and sanctions applied if any details provided are found to be false, misleading or significantly inaccurate.
** Insurance documentation must state cover for ‘training in physical intervention’ under ‘business activity’. Centres are responsible for ensuring that their insurance remains valid and up to date. This level of insurance cover is mandatory for approved training centres and individual trainers delivering physical intervention training at the approved training centre. If an individual trainer does not hold their own cover, the approved centre must ensure its insurer is aware of this and secure extended cover. The insurance schedule should clearly detail the cover for trainers.
An Approval Form will be circulated to existing approved Close Protection centres to complete to confirm how they meet approval requirements outlined above.