e-Fill has been designed to make it easier and quicker for applicants to complete their application form.  It also has built in verification to reduce the likelihood of the form being completed incorrectly and returned to the applicant.

Applicants fill in the form online, then print, sign and post it manually along with the required supporting documents.

Users register on the SIA website and log in to use the service. If they have previously submitted an application, the online form pre-populates information such as the applicant’s name, date of birth, town of birth, email address, postcode and national insurance number. The system also allows security providers to complete the form on behalf of their staff.

SIA Director of Service Delivery Stephen McCormick said:

“We are delighted to offer this new service which makes it easier and quicker for applicants to complete their application form. Applicants can track the progress of their application and have online guidance at each stage of the process. The contact centre also has a dedicated option for those who need assistance using the new system.
The launch follows months of testing and trialling to ensure the facility is working correctly and effectively. The development of e-Fill is part of our commitment to introduce e-services and provide a modern service to our customers.”

Suzi says: This great news.  It will make it much easier to complete applications and will hopefully ensure less applications are returned for being incomplete.  As a company sponsor, we at beSmart Training welcome this new intiative.  It will make my job much easier and hopefully quicker too.  What it won’t do is ensure people provide the correct identification which is still a major problem with these applications.   beSmart offers regular SIA licensing courses for door supervision and vehicle immobilisation.  We also have just gained approval to offer the CCTV courses too and will be starting to run those towards the end of September.  For more information on any of our courses go to our website at www.besmart-training.co.uk, or call Suzi on 020 7237 6007.

Overall, feedback from the industry showed that while there was some interest in a more integrated approach, the option for a single generic licence card did not receive widespread support.

At present, SIA licence cards are specific to each sector.  Operatives working in more than one sector may need to be issued with multiple licences.

The two options set out in the consultation were:

• to introduce a single generic licence card covering all of the licensable activities that the holder is qualified to undertake; or
• to continue to issue sector-specific and multiple licences.

SIA Director of Strategy and Corporate Services, Hazel Russell said:

“I would like to thank respondents for their contributions to this informal consultation. The responses did not provide clear support for the development of a non-sector specific licence, so at present we will not be making changes to the licences that we issue.

However, we will now reconsider how we have defined the ‘manned guarding’ sectors and we will take account of the consultation responses in identifying opportunities for limiting the requirement for multiple licences and for reducing administrative burdens.  This, combined with our ongoing customer service improvements will help to ensure that any future changes will continue to be stakeholder-led.”

Suzi says: I assume that redefining manned guarding will introduce new sectors within guarding such as “retail” security and “construction site” security, etc.  Will that mean yet another day’s training I ask myself.  We shall see.  But, rest assured, we will let you know if and when it happens.

New training, available from 1st June, means that candidates now wishing to train as door supervisors will be required to pass a one-day physical intervention skills training session, as well as pass three examinations, in order to gain the qualification required for a Security Industry Authority licence to practice.

The new training is modular and brings the door supervisor training in line with Security Guard, CCTV and vehicle immobiliser training which was updated in March this year.

The door supervisor course now consists of four units:

Unit 1:        Working in the Private Security Industry
Unit 2:        Working as a Door Supervisor
Unit 3:        Conflict Management for the Private Security Industry
Unit 4:        Physical Intervention Skills for the Private Security Industry

Units one and three are common units across Security Guarding, CCTV, Door Supervision and Vehicle Immobilisation.  This means that individuals only have to take the assessment for these units once.  It will make it easier if an individual wishes to get multiple SIA licences.  For instance, if you pass all four units for door supervision, and at a future date wish to get an SIA (Security Industry Authority) vehicle immobiliser licence, you would only have to take the unit specific training for vehicle immobilisation which would be a one-day course.

As much of the legislation and operational procedures are the same across the security sectors, the SIA hope this new modular system will make the training process for SIA licences more accessible and simpler for individuals wishing to enter the industry.

Door supervision is currently the only sector which is required to undertake physical intervention skills training, and currently only new entrants are required to comply.  However, the Government are considering whether to introduce these physical intervention skills as a compulsory upgrade for existing licensed door supervisors.  However, if they are introduced it will not be before June 2011.

The physical intervention skills focus on non-violent, non-aggressive techniques which are intended to defuse conflict and violence rather than escalate situations.

It deals with:

*    Disengagement – this element focuses on basic defensive skills

• Assault avoidance and evasion
• Releases from grips and grabs
• Rescue skills

*    Holding – this element focuses on restrictive intervention

• Escorting skills
• Holding skills

All techniques are designed to be flexible, easy to learn and safe for door supervisors, customers and staff alike.

beSmart Training was instrumental in the assisting the BBC with their recent reporting of this new training.  Please see following links.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/front_page/newsid_10180000/newsid_10186100/10186122.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/10201082.stm

It has not yet been decided if physical intervention will be compulsory refresher training for licensed door supervisors, but following the consultation earlier this year, there is an announcement expected in the next few months.

Why not enrol now and be ahead of the game.  Also become trained to the same level as door supervisors WILL be trained to from June 2010 onwards.

beSmart’s physical intervention course is accepted as accredited prior learning for the new door supervisor qualification and only costs £100.00 plus VAT for the one-day course, including all handbooks and certification.

If you’re interested, please call Sue on 020 7237 6007, or book online at www.besmart-training.co.uk/physical-intervention-training/.

It is an employers legal obligation to ensure that first kits are available to all their employees and customers at all times.  So don’t delay…. check it now.  If you’re not sure what should be in your first aid kit, below is a list of minimum suggested contents:

• A guidance leaflet
• 20 adhesive dressings (individually wrapped and assorted sizes)
• 2 sterile eye pads
• 6 triangular bandages (individually wrapped and sterile)
• 6 medium sterile wound dressings (individually wrapped and unmedicated)
• 2 large sterile wound dressings (individually wrapped and unmedicated)
• 6 safety pins
• Disposable gloves

Also, if your risk assessment concludes a requirement, employers may include additional materials such as:

• Blunt tipped scissors
• Non-alcoholic wipes
• Micropore tape
• Disposable apron
• Protective equipment
• Clinical waste bag
• Special burns dressings

Remember, no creams, lotions or potions are permitted.  If you have no fresh mains tap water available, you should also consider having sterile eyewash available for the purpose of eye irrigation.  (Do not use sterile water if the seal has previously been broken, if it has already been used on another individual or if it is out-of-date.)

Whilst you’re at it, why not check that all your first aid certificates are still valid.  First Aid Certificates are valid for a maximum of three years so should be checked on a regular basis.  The Health and Safety Executive now also recommend that annual refresher training be undertaken to keep key skills practiced and up-to-date.

beSmart Training run both the one-day Emergency First Aid at Work and the three-day First Aid at Work courses at their London based training centre.   Please call Sue on 020 7237 6007 for prices and dates.

This new course will be introduced on 1st June 2010 and will replace the current qualification completely.  The new qualification is called the Level 2 Award in Door Supervision and replaces the old Level 2 National Certificate for Door Supervisors.

The new course will remain a four-day course, but will now be in four units:

• Unit One:      Working in the Private Security Industry
• Unit Two:      The Role of the Door Supervisor
• Unit Three:   Conflict Management for the Private Security Industy
• Unit Four:     Physical Intervention

There will now be three multiple-choice exams; one for each of unit one, two and three.  Unit four will be tutor assessed throughout the training.

Importantly, there is no cross over between the old door supervisor qualification and the new door supervisor qualification.  Anyone who has not yet completed the current qualfication, or has to resit examinations, has until the end of August 2010 to do so.  After that date, if they haven’t attained the old qualification they will have to do the whole of the new course.

Similarly, if you already have another qualification, you will NOT be able to just sit the relevant unit.  You will have to do the full course at least once.  Thereafter if you want to apply for another licence you will only need to do the units previously not taken.  For instance you can do the new full door supervisor course and if you wanted to then become a vehicle immobiliser you would only have to take the sector specific unit for vehicle immobilisation.

If you already hold a physical intervention qualification from the BIIAB/Skills for Security it has not yet been confirmed whether this will count as accredited prior learning for unit four of the new course.

beSmart Training will be ready to teach this new qualification as soon as its available.  Please call Sue on 020 7237 6007 if you have any queries, or check out the website at www.besmart-training.co.uk.

The article says that the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which regulates doorstaff, has agreed to take part in a Home Office campaign to crackdown on the problem.

It’s recognition that doorstaff are able to confiscate ID if they have a procedure for dealing with the documents – the question had been open to debate.

It also represents a victory for the PASS (proof of age standards) scheme because the SIA has also agreed to include awareness of the scheme on its doorstaff training courses.  PASS had previously complained that doorstaff often didn’t recognise accredited cards.

The initiative, in association with PASS, advises young people that if they are caught using fake ID, or ID that’s owned by someone else, they could have it confiscated and may be prosecuted.

The SIA is urging door supervisors to confiscate false ID and hand them over to the police, who will then return the documents to the relevant authority.

Baroness Ruth Henig, chairman at the SIA said: “We are advising licensees and door staff to help ensure fake or false IDs are confiscated and handed to the police.

“Trained and professional SIA-licensed door supervisors play an important role in creating a safe environment for the public when visiting pubs and clubs across the UK.

“Door staff can also contribute to reducing under-age drinking.  Our approved door supervisor training ensures door supervisors are made aware of the PASS scheme.”

PASS chairman Robert Humphreys added: “This campaign is timely and most welcome.

“Many underage young people often see getting past door staff or being served as something of a game, but for those responsible for enforcing the law it’s no joke – in fact a mistake can easily cost them their jobs and even get them a criminal record.

“The clarity of the message is vital – attempting to break the law is unacceptable and could get you in serious trouble.”

The fake ID posters can be downloaded from the Home Office website www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk

Suzi says: lets hope this doesn’t open a whole new can of worms.  Just because a door supervisor is licensed doesn’t make him the right person to confiscate people’s identification.  I mean, just because you have a driving licence doesn’t necessarily mean you a good driver and keep to the rules of the road, does it – it just means you haven’t been caught yet.  I hope the Home Office doesn’t get these people into a whole heap of trouble!

Paul Bartley, 25, of Plumpton Street, Wakefield, was found guilty of malicious wounding and grievous bodily harm.

The victim, a 30-year-old man, had been in the Mission nightclub toilets last August when he was approached by Bartley and asked to leave the premises.

After a row, Bartley punched the man causing serious facial injuries.

PC Amy Spencer, from British Transport Police, said: “This was a completely unprovoked, vicious assault on a member of the public who had simply gone on a night out to enjoy himself with friends.

“As a door supervisor, Bartley’s role was to ensure the safety of members of the public attending the club. He abused his position and authority and obviously thought he was above the law.”

Bartley has also had his Security Industry Authority (SIA) door supervisors’ license revoked.

Suzi says…

This is exactly the kind of door supervisor we do NOT need in the industry.  Door supervisors are employed to ensure staff and customers are safe and should be professional at all times.  Contrary to popular belief, with cetain obvious exceptions, door supervisors are no longer the thugs and bullies of yesteryear.   They are well trained professionals who are licensed by the Government to undertake a very difficult, and at time dangerous, job.   It is about time the law started punishing the old-school “bouncers” who do still think it’s acceptable to slap people around.  Perhaps then the message will get through that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable.  beSmart Training regularly runs courses for people who want to become door supervisors.  We have over fifty years experience in door supervision between us and we pride ourselves on providing good, professional and thorough training that will benefit any door supervisor in their chosen career.

Steven Hopkins, 28, of Woodward Road, Norwich, was tried at Norwich Crown Court after pleading not guilty to the charge of manslaughter which related to the death of Phillip Ward after he was pushed over outside the Chicago Rock Café in Prince of Wales Road in May last year.

But yesterday, the jury of six men and six women returned a verdict of not guilty, bringing an end Mr Hopkins’ ordeal.

The verdict was met with gasps of disbelief and tears from Mr Ward’s family, who said they had been “totally let down” by the decision.

Although the fact that Mr Ward had died as a result of Mr Hopkins’ actions was never in question, it was a matter of debate as to whether or not Mr Hopkins was acting in self defence and whether he used reasonable force in ejecting Mr Ward from the club.

The court had head that Mr Hopkins pushed Mr Ward, 46, as he was leaving the Chicago Rock Café in Prince of Wales Road, after a night out with his wife and friends.

Mr Ward fell backwards and hit his head, suffering a fatal head injury from which he never regained consciousness.

The jury heard the incident lasted no more than two or three minutes but the end result was the death of Mr Ward, from Drayton, near Norwich.

Solicitor Simon Nicholls said: “On behalf of Steven Hopkins I would like to express his grateful thanks to the jury for finding him not guilty in what was a very difficult case.

“Someone lost their life as a result of Steven’s actions and that is something he is going to have to live with for the rest of his life.

“Anyone who understands the difficult job door supervisors have must appreciate how terrible the last five months have been for Steven. He was married only two weeks before this happened. It has been a nightmare for him.

“The decision of the jury to find him not guilty has gone a little way to giving him some sort of closure on the matter and both him and his wife Rachael are incredibly relieved.

“It is understandable that Mr Ward’s family feel anger and bitterness towards him. But 12 ordinary people have heard the evidence against him and found him not guilty.”

Mr Hopkins confirmed his intention to continue working as a door supervisor.

But Mr Ward’s wife Mandy said: “How do you tell a four and six year old that their dad’s killer got away with it?  We feel totally let down,” and her eldest brother Bob Connor added: “We are devastated at the outcome of today’s trial.  Phillip’s family and friends have been dealt a life sentence from which they can never be released.

“In respect of Phillip’s memory we would like to have it emphasised that never, at any time, did he show any aggression to another person and we would like to thank both the police and the family liaison officers for all their hard work to bring this case to conclusion.

“Mandy and the rest of Phillip’s family and friends would like their privacy to be respected to continue to grieve and rebuild their shattered lives.”

The trial has thrown the amount of force used by door staff when ejecting revellers into the spotlight.

During the trial, Christopher Morgan, prosecuting, showed a Norwich Crown Court jury CCTV footage of the incident and said: “There is no dispute in this case that Steven Hopkins killed Mr Ward.” He said that Hopkins had “no right” to eject Mr Ward in the manner he did, and said that Mr Hopkins was a registered doorman and would have been trained in the correct way to eject people.

Steve Barber, owner of Norwich Security Specialists Ltd, which provides door supervisors to some of the clubs on Prince of Wales Road, said that door staff had changed their attitude since Mr Hopkins was charged and were now being more careful about the amount of force they used, regardless of the outcome of the trial.

He said: “If he had been found guilty, it would have opened up a massive can of worms and meant that door staff would have been worried about touching anyone, so might as well not be there. Although I am sad for Phillip’s family, it is the best outcome for the profession.”

Peter says…

I must agree with Steve Barber.  Whilst respecting the family must feel bitter and cheated about the outcome of the trial, it is really the best outcome for the profession.  The current door supervisor training does not teach “how to eject or evict customers”, it just teaches that door supervisors should use only “reasonable and necessary force”.  Later this year, however, the door supervisor training will be updated to include a physical intervention unit which will offer non-violent, non-aggressive way to eject from premises.  This unit will also probably be one of the options for future compulsory renewal training for currently licensed door supervisors.

beSmart Training currently offers the BIIAB Maybo Physical Intervention training course for door supervisors and security guards, as well as other Security Industry Authority approved training and personal licence courses.

For further information on all our courses go to our website at www.besmart-training.co.uk or call Sue on 0207237 6007.

According to Gideon Ben-Tovim, chairman of Liverpool Primary Care Trust, as many as 70% of all recorded accident and emergency admissions during weekends are alcohol related and asserted the consistently high levels of binge drinking in the city – which is, to some extent, a reflection on nationwide levels.

The scheme makes a clear statement to those who a prone towards aggressive behaviour during nights out in the city centres, as the recording equipment can capture and document clear evidence in the event of a crime, which door supervisors are often witness to.

Strict regulatory measures are in place which will ensure that only Merseyside Police and Security firm will have access to captured footage. Should the initiative be extended to more popular nightclubs and bars in Liverpool – or indeed other cities with high levels of alcohol related violence – this could see a definite increase of convictions as the result of incriminating evidence caught on such devices.

So far so good for Liverpool authorities as evidence from the bars where the cams have been trialled over the past few weeks, have shown that they do indeed discourage incidents of aggression in door queues.

Commenting on the effect of such campaigns, Ben-Tovim further concluded that:

“These initiatives are not about preventing people from drinking but are about ensuring people across the city can enjoy alcohol in a responsible way that does not impact on themselves or other residents.”