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Public consultation launched into specialist training for door supervisors

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 15 December 2009

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