Top Up Training

You must have one of the new qualifications or take top-up training before you can apply for a door supervisor and security guard licence – this includes renewals

How long will it take to do the top-up training?

It depends on which licence you want to apply for:

• Door supervisor = 2 days
• Security guard = 0.5 days

In both cases you will need to complete first aid training (Emergency First at Work or equivalent) before you take the top-up training. The first aid training is 1 day.

What is included in the top-up training?

An Emergency First Aid at Work qualification (or equivalent) must be completed before taking the top-up training.

Door supervisors:

• use of equipment
• updated terror threat awareness
• physical intervention skills refresher training (knowledge and practical)
• Knowledge around critical incidents eg. where to access government guidance on pandemic responses

Security guards:

• knowledge of physical intervention
• updated terror threat awareness
• Knowledge around critical incidents eg. where to access government guidance on pandemic responses

Why do I need to do top-up training?

The private security industry is increasingly recognised as providing an important role in the protection of the public. This recognition brings scrutiny, and it is more important than ever that the industry maintains and improves its standards.

We have updated our qualifications to reflect the current risks that a licensed security operative may come across in their work. It is important that all licence holders have the knowledge and skills to deal with common risks, especially in safety critical areas.

A key element of our role as the regulator is to work with the industry to raise standards in private security. The new requirements will help to achieve this.

The new licence-linked qualifications and top-up training reflect what we have learned from extensive research, consultation, and engagement. This took into account the views of approximately 6,000 respondents, and also included:

• views from front line staff and security businesses on working practices, environments, and emerging technology
• input from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure to develop counter terrorism training
• advice from experts in specialist areas like physical intervention
• recommendations from coroner’s inquests following deaths involving security operatives

For more information please visit SIA website or the following link – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-sia-licence-linked-training-your-questions-answered/changes-to-sia-licence-linked-training#top-up-when.