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The Security Industry Act 2001 (security licensing law) makes it compulsory for everyone working in the security industry to complete training and hold a valid SIA licence. To gain an SIA licence, candidates must show they have successfully completed the required courses.
From 1 April 2021, new regulations came into effect increasing guided learning hours. Door Supervisor training is now a 4-unit course. You must complete:
- Unit 1 – Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry
- Unit 2 – Principles of Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry
- Unit 3 – Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry
- Unit 4 – Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry
Pre-requisites
Identification
Approved Highfield centres may accept the following, in line with SIA requirements:
One document from Group A and two from Group B.
- At least one document must show your current address.
- At least one document must show your date of birth.
Group A documents
- Signed, current, valid passport
- UK DVLA photocard driving licence
- Northern Ireland DVA photocard driving licence (with paper counterpart if applicable)
- UK original birth certificate issued within 12 months of birth
- UK biometric residence permit card
Group B documents
Confirms identity and address unless stated otherwise. Two of the same type will not be accepted.
- Bank or building society statement (last 3 months)
- Utility bill (gas, electric, telephone, water, satellite/cable) (last 3 months)
- Credit card statement (last 3 months)
- Council tax statement (last 12 months)
- Mortgage statement (last 12 months)
- Letter (last 3 months) from HMRC, DWP, Jobcentre Plus, or a local authority
- P45 or P60 (last 12 months)
- Paper UK driving licence
- Northern Ireland DVA photocard (not the paper counterpart)
- Pension, endowment or ISA statement (last 12 months)
- Valid UK firearms licence with photo
English functionality
Minimum language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) equivalent to one of:
- B2 level on the Home Office recognised list
- B2 CEFR
- ESOL Level 1 (England, Wales, NI)
- ESOL SCQF Level 5 (Scotland)
- Functional Skills Level 1 (English)
- SQA Core Skills Communication SCQF Level 5
This will be requested on booking. If you don’t already hold one of the above (or equivalent) you must obtain it before booking.
First Aid
You must hold a valid First Aid certificate with at least 12 months remaining. Accepted qualifications:
- Emergency First Aid
- First Aid at Work
- First Person on Scene (FPOS)
E-learning First Aid is not accepted. We can arrange First Aid prior to your security course.
Bookings for SIA courses will only be taken once pre-requisites are met.
Course contents
Unit 1 – Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry (17 hours; 8 hours distance learning)
- Industry overview and purposes
- Relevant legislation
- Arrest procedures
- Safe working practices
- Fire procedures
- Emergencies and emergency procedures
- Effective communication
- Record keeping
- Terror threats and operative roles
- Safeguarding vulnerable people
- Post-incident management
Unit 2 – Principles of Working as a Door Supervisor (11 hours)
- Crimes relevant to door supervision
- Search procedures
- Drugs legislation, issues and procedures
- Preservation of evidence
- Licensing law
- Queue management and venue capacity
- Equipment use
Unit 3 – Application of Conflict Management (11 hours)
- Principles of conflict management
- Recognise, assess and reduce risk
- Problem-solving techniques
- Communication to de-escalate
Unit 4 – Application of Physical Intervention Skills (13 hours)
- What physical intervention is and implications
- Risks and how to reduce them
- Protecting yourself and others
- Non-pain-compliant standing, holding and escorting techniques
How is my qualification achieved?
Usually a 6-day classroom course with blended and/or distance learning.
Please note: results normally take 2–3 weeks to process, plus SIA processing time.
Assessments
Unit 1 – Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry
- MCQ exam: 72 questions, 110 minutes, 70% pass mark
- Practical: evidential statement, 100% pass mark
Unit 2 – Principles of Working as a Door Supervisor
- MCQ exam: 50 questions, 75 minutes, 70% pass mark
- Practical: observation of searching and use of comms devices, 100% pass mark (each practical visually recorded; ~15 mins per learner)
Unit 3 – Application of Conflict Management
- MCQ exam: 20 questions, 30 minutes, 70% pass mark
- Practical scenario with observation sheet, 100% pass mark (visually recorded; ~15 mins per learner)
Unit 4 – Application of Physical Intervention Skills
- MCQ exam: 30 questions, 45 minutes, 80% pass mark
- Practical: observation of all techniques + Q/A on critical PI knowledge, 100% pass mark (visually recorded; ~15 mins per learner)
Course cost
£330 + VAT per person
£385 + VAT if First Aid is required.
If you require First Aid training, contact the office to book.
Group discounts available on request.
Contact
Aberdeen 01224 51 61 71 | Dundee 01382 60 40 60 | Edinburgh 0131 610 9112 | Glasgow 0141 432 2018
Email: claire@f1train.co.uk | lisa@f1train.co.uk
Upcoming dates
- Aberdeen: 17–22 Nov 2025; 15–20 Dec 2025
- Dundee: 8–13 Dec 2025
- Edinburgh: 15–20 Dec 2025
- Glasgow: 17–22 Nov 2025; 8–13 Dec 2025
