Why do I need to top up and what is involved?
Everybody who took their original SIA training before 1st April 2021 will need to take a ‘Top-Up’ course before they renew their licence. This is provided they either have an active SIA Door Supervisor or Security Guard licence or are within the 3-year renewal period after the licence has expired. For those whose licence expired more than 3 years ago, they can’t do the Top-Up course and will need to start again (I.e., full course).
Both courses have a pre-requisite of having to have a current First Aid qualification (such as the EFAW, or equivalent or above) with (a minimum of) 12 months validity remaining from the start date of your course enrolment.
We run the First Aid course as part of the Door Supervisor Top-Up training course.
Both courses also require you to take (and pass) a basic English Assessment which includes reading, writing and ‘face to face’ communication – We are aware that you already hold a badge – but as malpractice within the SIA training sector has historically been common, this is an extra (insisted) check to ensure people have (at least) a reasonable grasp of the English Language.
Door Supervisors have 2 options when it comes to renewing:
Option 1: Take the Door Supervisor Top-Up that consists of 2 days classroom + some pre-course ‘self-study’.
Option 2: Transfer to a Security Guard licence by taking the Security Guard Top-Up training that consists of completing online learning then either a short session remotely using Virtual/Live learning or a short ‘face to face’ session with a tutor, before then attending either a classroom to take your exams or by doing them online by proctored exams.
You need to think carefully before making the decision to transfer as once you do it, you can’t go back. As in, if you change your mind and want to be a DS again, you will need to start the whole process from the beginning (i.e., the full 6/7 days).
So, unless your 100% sure you will never work on a premises (where alcohol is consumed on the premises), then keep / renew your Door Supervisor badge. Many people just see the DS’s as working on pubs and clubs, but the reality is, licensed premises also include theatres, cinemas, hotels, restaurants, holiday parks, events etc + even if you don’t (immediately) see yourself working at any of these, it is also important to note that many employers pay more (per hour) for DS than SO.
Course content and assessment (DS – Top-Up) Both options include the completion of Counter Terror training. The SIA have permitted training providers to either deliver the CT modules ‘face to face’ or by completion of both ACT modules. Therefore, to keep costs and contact hours down, many training providers (including us) will opt for the SIA ACT modules as pre-course.
If you want access to these modules now (independently):
Both Counter Terror Modules are available free of charge. All you need to do to get an access code is email the SIA at: CTcode@sia.gov.uk
If you decide to do it yourself (independently), then when you book your Top-Up training, you will not need to re-complete these units.
Door Supervisor Top-Up (Content & Assessment): The focus of the Door Supervisor Top-Up is: ‘use of equipment’ (how to use clickers, radios, PPE, BWC’s etc), ‘Counter Terror’ (the 2 x ACT modules) a micro unit on global incidents and Physical intervention.
Assessments are: 5 MCQ exam (10 min) on use of equipment + a 5 min video assessment of using a radio properly. The video must show you using professional etiquette, call-signs, pro-words, NATO Alphabet, and correct pronunciation of numbers etc.
10 MCQ exam (20 min) on Counter Terror.
30 MCQ exam (45 min) on Physical Intervention, a videoed Q&A session around the risks of PI and a 15 min video assessment of you demonstrating all the PI Skills.
Security Guard Top-Up (Content & Assessment): The focus of the Security Guard is: ‘Minimising personal risk’ (this unit is made up of 12 assessment criteria so covers everything from personal responsibilities to usage of PPE, BWC’s, what to do in Physical Intervention situation, conflict management to reflecting on incidents) (so a capture all basically), and the same micro unit on global incidents and the same ‘Counter Terror’ (the 2 x ACT modules)
Assessments are: 16 MCQ exam (25 min) on ‘Minimising personal risk’.
10 MCQ exam (20 min) on Counter Terror.
