Update on SIA licence training – The Changes in place for April & October

With the requirements for security staff under close review by the Security Industry Authority (SIA), changes are sometimes necessary to ensure those in the industry are working to the highest standards. As we have covered previously, the SIA announced in September 2020 that a public consultation was scheduled for proposed changes from October 2021, with new top-up training required for all security staff. The SIA has now published details on what changes are due to come into effect this year, the first of which will be on 1 April 2021 followed by the last of the new changes on 1 October 2021.

SIA Licence Training Changes from 1 April 2021

Here is what has been proposed first:

• Updated qualifications for all sectors (except close protection) from 1 April 2021.
• A first aid qualification is required before undertaking training for a door supervisor or security guard licence from 1 April 2021.

The first aid training that will now be required is for anyone that is applying for an SIA licence for the first time, or for those where it has been longer than 3 years since holding a licence for that activity. The SIA announced the first aid training must be an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification or equivalent that complies with guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. This could be a First Aid at Work (FAW), First Person on Scene (FPOS) or First Response Emergency Care (FREC) certificate – you can find more information about first-aid training providers here.

SIA Licence Training Changes from 1 October 2021

From 1 October 2021, the proposed changes are:

• Updated close protection qualifications
• The new qualifications are required before applying for a door supervisor and security guard licence, including renewals. Existing personnel will need to take top-up training to do so.

For those applying for a close protection licence, it is already expected by the SIA that they will complete a first aid qualification before their licence training.

Reasons for SIA Licence Training Changes

For both 1 April and 1 October changes, the updated qualifications will ensure anyone working in the private security industry keeps public safety at the highest standard. It will ensure new working practices are understood and actioned, as well as recent changes to the law, and ensure new technology is used where relevant. Part of the changes to the course material will ensure all security operatives have terror threat awareness training and more on dealing with emergencies. There will also be sector-specific changes that cover physical intervention for close protection, use of equipment such as body-cams and breathalysers for door supervisors, and CCTV operational procedures and personal security to name a few.

At 1st Class Protection, we ensure all of our security personnel are fully compliant with the SIA licence training changes and welcome the addition of further practical assessments. If you have any questions regarding our security personnel or would like to find out more about our London security services, please get in contact with the team today. You can find out more about the SIA licence training changes here.