What Do We Cover In This Article?
You may have heard that if you work in security in the UK you need to have a badge in order to do so. This badge is called and SIA licence and is administered by the SIA (Security Industry Authority). We detail exactly what it is, what it entails and why businesses and end users of security should care about it, after all it is a requirement under law for anyone working in security.
What is an SIA Licence?
An SIA licence has been a legal requirement in the UK since 2004 for anyone working in certain security roles. (we discuss those roles in a bit) The Security Industry Authority regulates the private security industry by putting checks and monitoring in place to make sure that security personnel meet their set standards for classroom training, professional conduct, and vetting procedures.
To get an SIA licence, security staff must pass background checks (identity, address history and criminal record checks) and complete the training set for that particular licence. This is a safeguard required under law to make sure people that work in security are fit for purpose, as they are also regularly assessed each time they renew their security licence.
For example, if you’re hiring a security guard for an event, they must hold a valid frontline SIA licence in the relevant field. They will need a Door Supervision Licence if you serve alcohol at the event. Without it, they can’t legally work at the event and hiring them will put your business at risk.
Why Should Your Business Hire SIA Licensed Security?
Hiring SIA-licensed staff is about adhering to the law and knowing that the security working have received first aid, conflict management and physical intervention training so they are competent to perform the task in a safe manner. Here is our breakdown of the top three reasons why hiring SIA security matters:
- Legal Protection: From a legal perspective, using the services unlicensed security staff from a third party provider will likely lead to heavy fines and/or a criminal record and possible jail time. Also if something goes wrong, your probably not covered by insurance either.
- Qualified Security: You know that if you hire someone with an SIA licence, they would have undergone checks. This includes background vetting, so you can trust that they are who they say they are and don’t have a criminal record that would affect their ability to work in security.
- Peace of Mind: When people are trained and professional in what they do, you generally only have to tell them once and they get on with it. Licensed security professionals in the UK have been trained to handle different situations from difficult customers to health and safety, first aid matters and basic fire safety. They will know when to escalate to a superior, how to write a report and how to preserve a crime scene. In addition to this they will also have anti-terrorism awareness training should they ever spot a suspicious bag or package.
SIA Approved Contractor Licensing Guarantees
There is a scheme called ACS (approved contractor scheme). Double Check Security Group are a member of that voluntary scheme. As such we are vetted and checked by external auditors every year for our ISO standards, health and safety practices and from a legal and compliance standpoint. There are thousands of security companies in the United Kingdom and only around 850 government approved security contractors. When you hire a government approved security company like Double Check Security Group you are basically guaranteeing that the security guards you will be assigned to your contract hold a valid SIA license and have undergone all of the relevant training to obtain the license and are fully insured and above board to conduct their duties.
What Security Roles Require an SIA Licence?
If your are running a business that needs security services then you need to know which roles require an SIA licence. Here is our breakdown of the four most common types of SIA Licenses:
1. Door Supervisors: These were traditionally called “Doormen” or “Bouncers”, now they are called Door Supervisors to give the whole persona a total refresh and overhaul with the new training and qualifications required to perform the job. It is one of the most common types of SIA licence making up about 65% of all active licenses in the UK. It gives the licence holder more flexibility and allows you to work in the night time economy and for offices/ commercial properties. Any contract security you see at a nightclub, bar or restaurant should have a Door Supervision Licence. A person with this licence can work in premises that serve alcohol and manage access control, handle crowds, and deal with conflict management.
2. Security Guards: These security guards patrol premises and respond to incidents. They often work in places like offices, warehouses and retail stores. Approximately 15% of licences issued are for “Security Guarding”.
3. CCTV Operators: People that work on a Public Space Surveillance SIA license actively monitor camera footage in public spaces to detect and track suspicious activity. They often work in town centre control rooms and liaise with emergency services when they spot a crime in progress. It is quite a demanding job as you always need to be switched on and actively navigate through often 100’s of different cameras.
4. Close Protection Officers: Sometimes referred to by the general public as bodyguards, these select few have undergone the most rigorous of SIA training for them to be able to offer personal security to high-profile individuals like celebrities or executives.
Front Line vs Non-Front Line Licences
Not all security roles are public or end user facing. There are two main types of SIA licences:
- Front Line Licences: This type of license is for someone who want to working in security roles like door supervision or CCTV monitoring as we discussed earlier. They need to carry their licence when on duty and display it.
- Non-Front Line Licences: These type of licenses don’t get issued as a badge but a number on a piece of paper. They are for managers, directors, or supervisors who oversee the security operation but aren’t directly involved in the actual delivery of the duties. For example, if you just manage a security team but don’t patrol or monitor yourself, this is the licence for you.
What Happens if You Hire Unlicensed Staff?
Hiring security staff without an SIA licence is illegal. If this act is discovered or reported it will be investigated by a special SIA Investigations team and can lead to:
Your business could face heavy penalties if you are caught using unlicensed security staff. Not only that but if there is an incident and it turns out the security team wasn’t licensed, it could harm your business’s reputation as it often gets reported via media outlets. Clients and customers trust that you’re taking safety seriously, and using unlicensed personnel will send the opposite message. Last but not least, as it is a legal requirement to hold a valid SIA licence if something does goe wrong and your staff aren’t licensed, your insurance might not cover any damages.
You can avoid the risk of using unlicensed security staff by requesting the persons SIA licence number and running it through the register of licence holders. https://services.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/rolh or utilise the services of a approved contractor like we mentioned earlier.
Practical Steps for Businesses To Stay SIA Compliant
Here are some of our simple tips to ensure your business is compliant and safe:
- Check SIA Licences: Always verify that the security personnel you hire have a valid SIA licence. Use the link we gave you above, it is easy to check on the SIA website.
- Hire Through Reputable Security Agencies: If you’re using a security firm, just sure they are part of the SIA’s Approved Contractor Scheme. This means the company has been assessed and met required standards to competently deliver the service.
- Stay Informed: Laws and regulations can change so sign up for informational newsletters to keep up with any updates from the SIA and ensure your business stays compliant.
Final Take: Why SIA Licensing Matters
If you hire security staff they need to be SIA Licenced by law. By putting in basic checks and measures and uses a SIA approved contractor like Double Check Security you will have that peace of mind knowing your business is safe and compliant with a security team in place that is trained, vetted, and prepared to handle any situation.
Need help with your security needs? Reach out to discuss how licensed security professionals can make a difference for your business.
