Security update - November 2025

URGENT ACTION REQUIRED: SIA ‘Search for a Training Provider’

It is mandatory for all approved centres to complete the Security Centre Details to SIA for inclusion on the list of approved centres on the SIA ‘Search for a Training Provider’ facility on their website.

The SIA have advised that any centre not appearing on the list of approved centres on their website will be deemed by them to be unapproved.  They will be asking AOs to remove approval from centres that do not appear on the SIA website.

If you have not previously done so, please complete the form ASAP.

Security Centre Details to SIA form

2025-2026 Security Centre Management 

The Security Centre Management Handbook is being updated for 2025-2026 and will be available on our website shortly.

SIA Strategic Review of Qualifications

The SIA has recently announced the start of the strategic review of licence-linked security qualifications. 

To support this, they will be announcing three dates for webinars which will be held at the end of November. One of these dates will be particularly relevant to those individuals delivering vocational education and training. 

The webinars will provide a brief overview of the project, with instructions on how individuals can participate further, primarily by engaging with the surveys that the SIA will be sending out. 

The webinars will take place on the following dates: 

• Friday 21 November 12:00 -12:45  
• Monday 24 November 15:30 -16:15 
• Friday 28 November 12:00 -12.45 (relevant for those involved in delivering vocational education and training). 

Register below for the webinar(s) you would like to attend and to be included in the consultation and survey activities.  

Register for SIA webinars

JCQ Instructions for Conducting Examinations (ICE) 2025 – 2026

As you know, the JCQ ICE document is updated annually, and you are required to have the current copy available in your centre.  The 2025 – 2026 version is now available to download from the JCQ website.

Download ‘ICE’ – Instructions for conducting examinations

Updates are highlighted in yellow.

There will be a grace period for centres to implement any changes as required by the updated ICE document.  We will write to centres with more details about any changes shortly.

Secure Storage

A reminder that centres wishing to deliver paper-based tests must comply with the secure storage requirements as set out in the JCQ ICE document.  The requirements are also detailed in the Security Centre Management Handbook.  If you wish to use a room other than the one originally approved for secure storage as part of the centre approval process, it must meet the secure storage requirements.  Approval to use a room for secure storage may be withdrawn if it becomes apparent that the requirements are not being adhered to.  Please note that a general office that is accessed by multiple staff and/or learners does not meet the requirements:

• The secure room should only be accessed by exams office staff
• The secure room should only be accessible to 2-6 exams staff.

Should the secure storage at your centre be deemed to no longer meet the requirements as outlined in the Security Centre Management Handbook we may remove your approval to deliver paper-based tests, and you will only be able to deliver on-screen tests.

Invigilation

A reminder that responsibilities of invigilators are outlined in the Security Centre Management Handbook.  The full requirements are detailed in section 12 of the JCQ ICE document.  It is the responsibility of the Head of Centre to ensure that invigilators are appropriately trained in their duties.

Download ‘ICE’ – Instructions for conducting examinations

A quick guide to the responsibilities of invigilators can be found in the Teaching and Learning Materials section of each of the qualification pages.

Select a BTEC Specialist Security qualification

IQA Training

Through our SV activity, we are increasingly finding that the internal quality assurance activity carried out in centres is insufficient and as a result, SVs are highlighting errors and issues with assessment that should have been picked up by IQAs.

The WBL Assessment team will shortly be sending out  an internal quality assurance training exercise to all centres.  This training is mandatory for all IQAs and must be completed.  If you have any queries about the internal quality assurance process please speak to your SV.

Information about this training can also be found in the 2025-2026 Security Centre Management Handbook.

Close Protection Top Up

The last registration date for the Close Protection (Top Up) qualification was 31st October 2025.  Learners must be certificated by 31 January 2026.  

You should ensure that all outstanding registered learners have completed their assessments by mid-January at the latest to ensure they can be certificated before the last certification date.  

From 1 April 2026 anyone applying to renew their Close Protection licence must have the Close Protection (Refresher) qualification – as such, it is important Top Up learners are aware that they must complete their licence renewal application before 31 March 2026 in order to avoid their application being rejected

Test Notifications

A reminder that you are required to submit test notifications for tests associated with all the licence-linked qualifications, including the Refresher qualifications.  

Centres found to be claiming certification for cohorts of learners that they have not submitted any test notifications for may be referred for maladministration and/or malpractice.

New SharePoint Site

From 17 October 2025, a new Pearson SharePoint site for security qualifications was introduced. You were provided with new login details, and upon gaining access, you are now required to commence using the new site immediately to upload student evidence. 

Further information about the new SharePoint site can be found in the 2025-2026 Security Centre Management Handbook.

Get Training

Please be advised that the SIA has recently updated their Get Training document to remove references to the expired Top Up qualifications and add references to the new Refresher qualifications.   The up-to-date version is available on the our security subject page. 

View the Pearson Security Subject page

The summary of changes is as follows:

SIA Identity Documents Requirements

A reminder that learners must provide 1 Group A identity document and 2 Group B identity documents at registration.  

SIA ID Verification Process Update 

 A reminder that the SIA recently issued an update on the status of residents permits as a form of Group A identity documentation as a result of the fact that the Home Office has stopped issuing these and replaced them with e-visas.  E-visas cannot currently be used as a form of Group A identity documentation.  The DBS has provided the following advice:  

“While people transition to the online e-visa, DBS will accept some Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Residence Card (BRCs) as part of the ID verification process. In the case of BRPs, there are two types of BRP. One shows limited leave to enter or remain which expires when the BRP expires, and the other shows indefinite leave to remain/enter, or ‘no time limit’ leave. The second type of BRP also has an expiry date, but this is not related to the expiry of the applicants leave to remain in the UK. The second type of BRP can be used for DBS ID purposes up to 18 months past the expiry of the BRP. DBS will be publishing refreshed manual ID guidance shortly, and the use of expired BRPs will be included in this.”

 This means that BRPs that show indefinite leave to remain / enter (this may also appear as settlement), or “no time limit” leave, can be accepted 18 months after the expiry date of the BRP as a Group A identity document.