BSIA welcomes 'top-up training' for door staff

09 Jan 10

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has welcomed the Government’s consultation paper on the proposed introduction of additional training for door supervisors.

By Brian Sims

Launched in December 2009, the consultation aims to make new skills – in physical intervention, First Aid, dealing with young people and awareness of the threat of terrorism – a basic requirement for all door supervisors either renewing an existing licence or those new entrants applying for one for the first time.

BSIA Leisure Industry Section chairman Tony Clarke told SMT Online: “Door supervisors deal with a real cross-section of the public, so it’s important that they have sufficient training in order to reduce the potential for conflict and protect both themselves and others.”

Clarke went on to say: “At the BSIA, we’re pleased to see that the Home Office has taken on board some of the suggestions put forward by the security industry, and recognised the commitment to industry Best Practice that this proposal represents. Door supervisors already play a vital role in the night-time community, and this further training will only enhance their ability to protect the public in challenging situations.”

View the consultation paper

The additional training requirements will form part of the licence application process for new door supervisors from as early as June 2010, with top-up training for existing licence holders introduced from May 2011 should the consultation be approved.

The consultation paper can be viewed on the Home Office website (a dedicated link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)

Meanwhile, Ian Fox of the Institute of Conflict Management has been representing the National Doorwatch Steering Group in warning of the inherent dangers when it comes to the introduction of physical intervention skills training, which he refers to as a "hugely important subject".

Fox commented: "The objectives of this training have been well thought out and, with proper and consistent delivery, the instruction will be beneficial. In this regard, the SIA has provided excellent leadership, but the Regulator does not control the commercial training sector." As a consequence of this, Fox feels there is potential for the training provided to lack consistency.

Could there be a lack of consistency?

"The training will not be consistent in terms of the techniques or terminology used," explained Fox. "It will also vary dependent on the training provider, the trainer and the package they teach. Neither will it be consistent in terms of its implementation. This requirement will, initially, only apply to new door supervisors – it will not apply to existing door staff until March 2011 at the earliest."

According to Fox, what this means is that it will be possible for door supervisors to be on duty with either no training at all or several different styles of training dependent on the package promoted by a particular Awarding Body. "This must inevitably lead to confusion, and will put the safety of all involved in a physical struggle in danger."

He continued: "To ensure consistency, everyone needs to be speaking the same language and using the same techniques. This particular aspect of a door supervisor's work cannot be left to those whose commercial interest is in creating differences that don’t need to exist. If this training is about improving public safety, then profit cannot be allowed to dictate the training programme."