SIA licence-linked refresher training 

Further to the announcement from the SIA last month regarding the introduction of licence-linked refresher training (copied below for reference), please see an outline of the content of the two new Refresher qualifications: 

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors in the Private Security Industry (Refresher):  

Unit 1: Principles of Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry (Refresher) 

LO1: Know how to conduct effective search procedures 
LO2: Understand how to keep vulnerable people safe 
LO3: Understand terror threats and the role of the security operative in the event of a threat 
LO4: Know how to safeguard the public from incidents of spiking 

Assessment:  

• Multiple choice test (35 questions; 55 minutes) 
• Practical assessment of learners undertaking a search 

Unit 2: Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry (Refresher) 

LO1: Know the implications of physical interventions and their ‎use 
LO2: Know the risks associated with using physical intervention 
LO3: Know how to reduce the risks associated with physical intervention 
LO4: Be able to proficiently and safely use physical skills to protect yourself and others 
LO5: Be able to use non-pain compliant standing, holding and escorting techniques safely 

Assessment: 

• Multiple choice test (30 questions; 45 minutes) 
• Practical assessment of skills for LOs 4 and 5 
• Oral Q&A 

Pearson BTEC Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Refresher):  

Unit 1: Principles of Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry (Refresher) 

LO1: Know how to conduct effective search procedures 
LO2: Understand how to keep vulnerable people safe 
LO3: Understand terror threats and the role of the security operative in the event of a threat 

Assessment:  

• Multiple choice test (28 questions; 45 minutes) 
• Practical assessment of learners undertaking a search 

The qualification specifications will be available from October 2024.  The multiple choice tests will be available from November 2024. 

SIA announcement regarding the introduction of licence-linked refresher training 

From 1 April 2025, SIA licence holders must have a ‘refresher’ qualification before they can renew their door supervisor or security guard licence. 
  
The new refresher training will be available from 1 October 2024 and will reinforce the skills door supervisors and security guards use to keep the public safe. 
  
They must have an up-to-date Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before they can take the refresher training (read more about this). They will need to show this to their training provider when they register for the course. 
  
If they hold a door supervisor licence they can choose one of the following options: 

• Take the door supervisor refresher training and renew their door supervisor licence
• Take the security guard refresher training and switch to a security guard licence 

In either case, they must have an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification, or equivalent, before they can take the refresher training. 

Update to the SIA Requirements for First Aid Pre-Requisites for Door Supervisor and Security Officer Courses

Please be aware that last month the SIA updated their requirements for the First Aid pre-requisites for Door Supervisor and Security Officer courses: please see their announcement below. 

First aid training requirement for door supervisors and security guards 

Updated 20 August 2024 

Contents 

1. Check the learner has the required first aid qualifications 
2. First aid qualifications you can accept 
3. Delivering the first aid training yourself 

This document sets out the SIA’s rules on first aid training for door supervisors and security guards. It tells you what you must check if you offer SIA licence-linked training, and what you must do if you want to offer the first aid training yourself. 

If you provide Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) training, your course must explicitly cover how to respond to life-threatening bleeding and how to open airways. This is a requirement of the SIA and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It will come into effect on 1 October 2024. 

1. Check the learner has the required first aid qualifications 

You must confirm that each learner for door supervision and security guarding holds a valid first aid qualification before they take the SIA licence-linked training. 

Some examples of evidence you can accept are: 

• their qualification certificate 
• a copy of their assessment record signed by their trainer confirming achievement of a qualification 
• an email from their training provider confirming that the learner has passed the qualification and the training provider has requested a certificate from the relevant awarding organisation 

You must keep a copy of the evidence for at least 3 years. 

2. First aid qualifications you can accept 

You can accept a first aid qualification if all of the following statements are true: 

• It meets the requirements of Appendix 2, ‘Content of an emergency first aid at work (EFAW) course’ of Selecting a first-aid training provider: A guide for employers. 
• It is valid for at least another 12 months from the start of the SIA licence-linked training. 
• You have made reasonable efforts to confirm that it complies with all other requirements of ‘Selecting a first-aid training provider: A guide for employers’, particularly those listed in paragraph 14. 
• You have made reasonable efforts to confirm that the practical elements of training were delivered and assessed face to face. 

Some examples of the practical elements of training are: 

• CPR 
• applying tourniquets 
• applying haemostatic dressings – these contain chemical agents that speed up blood clotting to prevent catastrophic blood loss 
• keeping airways open 
• treating burns and eye injuries 

Some examples of what we mean by “reasonable efforts” are: 

• you have checked the information provided on the certificate 
• you have researched the details of the course online 
• you have contacted the organisation that delivered the course 
• you have reviewed course material given to you by the learner 

You must keep a record of the checks you made to satisfy points 3 and 4 above. You must keep these records for at least 3 years. 

Some examples of the qualifications you can accept are: 

• EFAW or First Aid at Work (FAW) qualifications awarded by any of the following: 
  • an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA 
  • a voluntary aid society (such as St John Ambulance, British Red Cross or St Andrew’s First Aid) 
  • a training provider delivering a programme that meets HSE requirements for delivery of EFAW or FAW 
• any of the following if they were awarded by an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA: 
  • a First Responder Emergency Care qualification 
  • a First Person on Scene qualification 
  • a Casualty Care qualification 

You can also accept: 

• a medical degree 
• a nursing or paramedic qualification 

Please contact your awarding organisation for more details.   

3. Delivering the first aid training yourself 

If you combine first aid training and SIA licence-linked training into one training package, you must ensure that learners complete and pass the first aid training before you complete delivery of the licence-linked training. 

Your EFAW course must include training on how to respond to life-threatening bleeding and how to keep airways open. 

You must comply with all of the requirements set out in Selecting a first-aid training provider: A guide for employers. 

Your first aid training must comply with Delivery Standards for Regulated First Aid Qualifications. 

You can deliver your first aid training through blended learning as long as you comply with Blended Learning in First Aid Quality Assurance Standards. 

3.1 Assessing and certifying the first aid training you deliver 

You must: 

• confirm that the person you are assessing is the person who took the training 
• conduct an assessment of competence – this must include a face-to-face practical assessment 

Your first aid certificates must conform with paragraph 32 of ‘Selecting a first-aid training provider: A guide for employers’, and meet the requirements of explicitly delivering training on life-threatening bleeding and keeping airways open. 

3.2 Reasonable adjustments 

You can make “reasonable adjustments” if someone is unable to complete all of the training because of a mental or physical disability. 

The learner must provide evidence that confirms they are unable to complete all of the training. You must keep a copy of the evidence for at least 3 years. 

If necessary, “reasonable adjustments” may include allowing the learner to undertake a ‘knowledge only’ qualification. 

Some examples of the ‘knowledge only’ qualifications you can offer or accept are: 

• QN UK L2 Essential First Aid 
• Red Cross First Aid for Adults 

You can find guidance on reasonable adjustments for first aid training on the First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum’s website. 

Test cancellations 

A reminder that you must ensure that dates and times of courses and tests are accurate in your test notification form, and that you must notify us if you cancel a test. 

If you need to advise us that you are cancelling or changing the details of any tests please email VQtestinspections@pearson.com 

If a test inspector arrives at your centre but is not able to carry out an inspection because there has been a change to the test timings from what you submitted on your test notification form (e.g. it has already been completed, or because you put the wrong time on the test notification form), or the test has been cancelled, and you have not given us notice of the change/ cancellation, action may be taken against your centre e.g. you may incur a charge for the unsuccessful visit and/or be referred for maladministration.