Please visit: www.haventraining.com for more info.

Staff training is one of the most important tasks for us at Haven, not only does it ensure that the officers working on our customers behalf have the correct skills and knowledge for the job, but it also makes sure that they stay motivated and feel comfortable in the role that they are doing and that they stay loyal and committed and have the drive and dedication to do well for their employers, their peers and their customers.

Regulation of the Scottish Private Security Industry
SIA licensing will be introduced into Scotland in 2007.

Background

A consultation exercise conducted by the Scottish Executive in September 2001 found that regulation of the private security industry in Scotland was widely supported by the police, local government, the public and the industry itself. Rather than set up a Scottish regulatory body, the Scottish Executive chose to adopt SIA licensing. This was because a Scottish regulatory body would be prohibitively expensive to set up and maintain given the (relatively) small licensable population, and because it would disadvantage Scottish private security firms by preventing cross-border working.
The SIA 'Licensing Scotland' project board will be responsible for authorising each stage of regulation implementation. The Board comprises three permanent members (including a senior representative from the Scottish Executive) and one non-permanent member.

Key Dates

February 2007
The SIA will be accepting licence applications.

November 2007
It will become illegal to work in certain designated roles in Scotland without a licence.

The roles that will require an SIA licence are:

o Security Guards working in relation to licensed premises
o Security Guards supplied under a contract for services;
o Cash and Valuables in Transit operatives supplied under a contract
o Public Space Surveillance CCTV operatives supplied under a contract
o Close Protection operatives supplied under a contract for services;
o Key Holders supplied under a contract for services;
o Private Investigators supplied under a contract for services (subject to outcome of a Regulatory Impact Assessment).

Required Training

To get the SIA qualification for door supervisors, you will need to attend a two part training course and take and pass two exams. The course may be delivered over 4 days or during weekends and/or evening sessions. The total training time will always be 30 hours, which includes two hours of exams.

Training is delivered in two parts as follows:

Part 1 - Role and responsibilities of a door supervisor (14 hours)

Overall aim: To ensure that door supervisors have the knowledge and understanding of their role and responsibilities in the security industry environment.

o Behavioural standards
o Civil and Criminal Law
o Aim: To discuss civil and criminal law relevant to door supervision.
o Searching
o Arrest
o Drugs Awareness
o Recording Incidents and Crime Scene Preservation
o Licensing Law
o Equal Opportunities
o Discrimination Act and the Disability Discrimination Act
o Health and Safety at Work
o Emergency procedures

Part 2 - Communication skills and conflict management (14 hours)
Communication Skills and Conflict Management

o State the importance of customer care
o Show an understanding of basic communication skills
o Show an understanding of verbal and non-verbal communication
o State the need to calm difficult situations and avoid violence
o Identify different types of behaviour
o State what risks can occur during violence at work
o Identify the most common conflict flash-points
o State the importance of managing aggression
o Show an understanding of basic problem-solving skills
o State the impact of reflecting and learning from the experience of conflict

Customer care is a very important part of our officer training. We recognise that our personnel can help to make shopping a pleasurable experience for customers. Our shopping centre officers in particular play an important role in ensuring customer safety and are often the first point of call in an emergency. Our bright, modern uniforms are designed to enable members of the public to identify our officers and enlist their help.