Why licensing exists

The private security industry is regulated by the Security Industry Authority (SIA), set up under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The aim is to raise standards, cut out criminality, and protect the public. Working as a door supervisor without a valid licence is a criminal offence.

Who needs a licence

Anyone doing licensable door supervision activity - controlling access to premises, guarding against disorderly behaviour, searching people, or manned guarding at licensed venues - needs an SIA licence, whether employed or self-employed. In-house staff and contract staff both need one; there is no exemption just because you work directly for the venue.

Getting licensed

To qualify you must be at least 18, pass the required identity and criminality checks, hold the relevant training qualification (the Door Supervisor course, including physical intervention), and pay the licence fee. Licences currently run for 3 years (some renewals can be issued for 1 year in certain cases - always check current SIA guidance, as fee structures and durations are reviewed periodically).

Wearing and displaying the badge

The SIA badge must be worn visibly at all times while working, front-facing, so it can be checked by police, licensing officers, or the public. Lending your badge to someone else, or working on someone else's badge, is a serious offence for both parties.

Licence conditions and criminality

Certain criminal convictions - particularly violence, dishonesty, drugs, and sexual offences - can result in refusal or revocation of a licence. The SIA carries out ongoing checks, not just at application stage, so a conviction after licensing can also lead to removal.

Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)

This is a voluntary quality standard for security companies (not individuals) who meet performance criteria. It is separate from individual licensing but often mentioned alongside it in questions about industry regulation.

Regulator relationships

The SIA works alongside the police and local licensing authorities. Licensing authorities (under the Licensing Act 2003) control premises licences and conditions such as ID scanners, capacity limits, and Challenge 25; door supervisors must know and follow these conditions as well as their own SIA duties.

Common mistakes

• Confusing 'licensable activity' with 'any security-related job' - only specific activities are licensable.
• Thinking self-employed or casual bar staff doing door duties are exempt - they are not.
• Forgetting that badge display is mandatory even indoors or in a booth.
• Mixing up the SIA (individual licensing regulator) with the licensing authority (premises licensing, local council).

Why conflict management matters

As a door supervisor your main job is to prevent conflict escalating, not to prove you are right. Most incidents can be defused with good communication before physical intervention is ever needed. The exam expects you to know the stages of conflict, communication skills, and how to keep yourself and others safe.

The conflict cycle

Conflict usually builds through stages: trigger (a comment, refusal, or perceived disrespect) - arousal (emotions and adrenaline rise) - crisis (behaviour becomes irrational, shouting or aggression) - recovery (emotions slowly settle) - depression/post-crisis (person is drained, may be embarrassed). You must recognise which stage someone is in and adjust your approach - during crisis, reasoning does not work, so your priority is safety and space, not logic.

Communication skills to defuse conflict

• Use open, non-confrontational body language - hands visible, relaxed stance, not squared up or too close (respect personal space, usually an arm's length or more).
• Keep your voice calm, low, and steady - do not match their volume or tone.
• Use active listening - nod, use their name, repeat back what they have said to show you understand.
• Ask open questions to get them talking rather than shutting them down with yes/no demands.
• Avoid closed, aggressive stances such as crossed arms, finger pointing, or invading personal space.
• Give options where possible - people who feel they have a choice are far less likely to escalate.

The IPADE and other models

You may be asked about structured decision-making models such as IPADE (Interpret, Predict, Assess, Decide, Execute) or similar conflict resolution frameworks - the point is always the same: assess the situation, consider the risk, choose the least intrusive option, then act, then review the outcome.

Environmental and situational awareness

Always consider exits, lighting, other people nearby, alcohol or drug influence, and whether backup is needed before engaging. Never get boxed into a corner or let a customer get between you and the exit.

Use of force as a last resort

Physical intervention is always the last resort, only used when de-escalation has failed and it is necessary, reasonable, and proportionate. You must be able to justify every action taken.

Common exam mistakes

• Thinking conflict management means talking someone down with logic during the crisis stage - it does not, safety comes first.
• Confusing assertiveness with aggression - assertive is calm and clear, aggressive is confrontational.
• Forgetting that body language and tone carry more weight than the actual words used.
• Not recognising withdrawal/disengagement as a valid, often best, tactic.

Searching people

Door supervisors have no special legal power of search beyond what any citizen has - searches at a licensed premises are done with the person's genuine, informed consent, as a condition of entry set by the premises. If someone refuses a search, you refuse them entry - you cannot force a search on them.

• Always explain why you are searching and what you are searching for before you start.
• Search in a designated area, never somewhere isolated or out of view of CCTV/colleagues.
• Same-gender searching is best practice; if unavailable, ask another member of staff to witness.
• Use a consistent, methodical pattern every time (for example top to bottom, front and back) so nothing is missed and your actions are defensible.
• Never put your hands into pockets - ask the person to empty them themselves.
• Record what was found, when, and what action was taken in the incident log.

Finding weapons or drugs

If you find a weapon, do not handle it more than necessary - isolate the area, keep people back, and call police. Preserve it as evidence; do not pass it round or let others touch it.

If you find suspected drugs, the general approach is: confiscate, bag and seal, log it (who, what, when, where), and hand to police or store securely for police collection. Do not taste, smell-test or handle drugs to identify them. Refuse the person entry and consider whether the venue's zero-tolerance policy needs a formal incident report.

Citizen's arrest (Police and Criminal Evidence Act / Criminal Law Act framework)

Door supervisors can make a 'citizen's arrest' for an indictable offence, but only when it is necessary (for example to prevent the person causing injury, causing loss/damage, or escaping) and only while a constable is not readily available to do it instead.

• Use reasonable force only - the minimum needed to control the situation.
• Tell the person what offence they are being arrested for and why, as soon as practicable.
• Call police immediately and hand the person over to them as soon as possible - you cannot detain someone indefinitely.
• Wrongful or unreasonable arrest can lead to civil claims (false imprisonment) or criminal liability (assault), so only arrest as a last resort.

Drugs awareness

Know the visible signs of common drug use (dilated/pinned pupils, excessive sweating, glazed eyes, erratic or overly familiar behaviour, slurred speech) so you can identify problems early and act on venue policy (refuse entry, remove, or call an ambulance if the person is unwell).

Common mistakes

• Searching without explaining why, or without consent.
• Handling seized drugs or weapons more than necessary.
• Arresting when police were readily available, or using excessive force.
• Not logging searches, finds, and arrests properly - the paperwork is your legal protection.

Why this topic matters

Door supervisors are often first on scene at a medical emergency, fire, or suspicious incident. The exam tests that you know your limits, follow procedure, and protect yourself and others while waiting for the right professionals.

First aid awareness (you are NOT a paramedic)

• Your role is DRABC-style basic support: check Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, then call 999 and get a qualified first aider or ambulance.
• Only act within your training - the SIA licence itself does not include a first aid qualification, though many venues require one (eg Emergency First Aid at Work).
• If someone is unresponsive but breathing, put them in the recovery position and monitor continuously.
• If not breathing normally, start CPR immediately - 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute, depth of 5-6cm on an adult.
• Use a defibrillator (AED) as soon as one is available - it will only shock if needed and talks you through it.
• Never move a casualty with a suspected spinal injury unless they are in immediate danger (eg fire).
• Record everything - time symptoms started, actions taken, and handover details for paramedics.

Fire and evacuation

• Know your venue's fire evacuation plan, assembly point, and fire panel location before your shift starts.
• Never use lifts during a fire evacuation.
• A phased or progressive horizontal evacuation may be used in large or multi-storey venues - move people to a place of safety, not necessarily outside.
• Keep fire exits and escape routes clear at all times - this is a legal requirement, not just good practice.

Counter-terrorism: the core doctrine

• Follow the UK national counter-terrorism messaging: RUN, HIDE, TELL - run if you can, hide if you can't, tell police (call 999) when it's safe.
• Suspicious items: follow HOT protocol - Hidden, Obviously suspicious, Typical or not (does it belong here?). Do not touch, use radios/mobiles nearby, or assume it's a hoax.
• The current national threat level is set by MI5's Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) - know it changes and affects your alertness, not your procedures.
• ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) awareness: report suspicious behaviour, don't investigate it yourself.
• CONTEST is the UK's counter-terrorism strategy - four strands: Prevent, Pursue, Protect, Prepare. Door supervisors mainly support Protect and Prepare through vigilance and venue security.
• If an attack is in progress, prioritise RUN and HIDE for yourself and patrons before anything else - your life matters, you cannot help others if you become a casualty.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Trying to give medical treatment beyond your training - stick to basic life support and call for help.
• Approaching or moving a suspicious item 'just to check'.
• Forgetting to secure the scene and preserve evidence after an incident (don't let people trample a crime scene unnecessarily).
• Freezing instead of following RUN, HIDE, TELL.
• Not knowing where the nearest AED and fire assembly point actually are.

Queue Management

A well-run queue keeps everyone safe, cuts conflict and protects the venue's licence. Door supervisors must plan for weather, capacity limits and vulnerable people (lone females, intoxicated persons, under-18s) before doors even open.

• Use barriers, signage and lighting to control flow and prevent crushing.
• Keep queue lines away from roads, fire exits and neighbouring premises.
• Communicate wait times honestly - frustration escalates faster with silence.
• Prioritise vulnerable individuals (medical needs, disability, distress) for early entry where safe.
• Never let a queue block a fire exit, pavement or emergency vehicle access - this breaches the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Capacity and Admission

Every licensed venue has a maximum occupancy figure set by the fire risk assessment and licence conditions. Door staff must use a clicker or till-based counting system and refuse entry once capacity is reached - this is a legal duty, not a judgement call.

• Refusal grounds: intoxication, aggressive behaviour, weapons, drugs, gang colours/insignia (venue policy), being under the admission age, or already being barred.
• Always give a reason for refusal where safe to do so, stay calm and polite, and log the refusal.
• Searching on entry must follow venue policy and be consistent - never target people by race, gender or appearance alone (Equality Act 2010).

Ejections

Ejection is a last resort after de-escalation has failed. The power used must be reasonable, necessary and proportionate under the Criminal Law Act 1967 s.3 (reasonable force) - excess force can lead to civil or criminal liability for the supervisor personally.

• Always use minimum force, for the minimum time, and stop as soon as it's safe to do so.
• Never eject someone into a dangerous situation (traffic, a hostile group, extreme weather) - duty of care continues after ejection.
• Two staff should be present for an ejection wherever possible, one lead and one witness/support.
• Report every ejection: time, reason, force used, witnesses, and outcome, in the incident log (SIA and venue require accurate records).
• Call police for any assault, weapon, hate crime or when force beyond reasonable control is needed.

Venue Operations

Door supervisors are part of the licensed premises' overall management, working to the Licensing Act 2003 conditions and the venue's own policies.

• Know your Personal Licence holder / Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) and escalation chain.
• Maintain the incident log, refusals log and search log - these are evidence if challenged later.
• Communicate constantly with colleagues via radio, using clear codes agreed in briefing.
• Common mistake: treating refusal/ejection as personal rather than policy-based - always frame decisions around venue rules and public safety, not opinion.
• Common mistake: forgetting continued duty of care once someone is outside the venue.

Physical intervention: the legal basis

Physical intervention is always a last resort, never a first response. You must exhaust conflict management (talking, de-escalation, distraction, negotiation) before you touch anyone. Any force used must be lawful, proportionate, necessary, and reasonable in the circumstances you honestly believed to be true.

The legal grounds you can rely on are self-defence, defence of another person, prevention of crime, or making a lawful arrest (citizen's arrest). There is no special 'door supervisor' power beyond the powers any citizen has.

The key tests: proportionate, necessary, reasonable

• Necessary: was there no other realistic option left?
• Proportionate: does the level of force match the level of threat? Never escalate beyond what the situation demands.
• Reasonable: would a sensible person, knowing what you knew at the time, agree your actions were justified?
• Force must stop the moment the threat ends. Continuing to restrain a compliant or subdued person turns lawful force into an assault.

Duty of care during intervention

You owe a duty of care to the person you restrain, to bystanders, and to colleagues. Watch for positional asphyxia risk — never restrain someone face-down for a prolonged period, especially under bodyweight pressure on the back or neck, and never obstruct someone's airway or breathing. Monitor breathing, colour, and consciousness throughout. If someone becomes unresponsive, floppy, or stops struggling suddenly, release the restraint, check breathing, and call an ambulance immediately.

Recording the incident

Every use of force must be recorded, no matter how minor it seemed at the time. Records protect the venue, the supervisor, and the customer, and can be the deciding evidence in a complaint, civil claim, or criminal investigation.

A good incident report includes: date, time and exact location; names and descriptions of everyone involved; what led up to the incident (trigger); what physical intervention was used and for how long; injuries to any party; witnesses (staff, customers, door staff) with contact details; police involvement/reference number if called; CCTV reference if available; and the reporting supervisor's name, SIA licence number and signature.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using force as a first option instead of a last resort.
• Continuing to hold someone after they've stopped resisting.
• Vague reports ('there was a scuffle') instead of factual, timed, detailed accounts.
• Forgetting to note injuries or refusing medical attention offered.
• Not preserving CCTV promptly — footage can be overwritten.
• Delaying the write-up: write it as soon as possible while memory is accurate.