Description
Level 2 Award for CCTV Operators (Public Space Surveillance) in the Private Security Industry – SIA-approved course
As a result of the Private Security Industry Authority Act 2001, a Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) licence is required when manned guarding activities are carried out through the use of closed-circuit television equipment to monitor the activities of a member of the public or private place; or to identify a particular person.
As of 1st April 2021, the course title, training contents, delivery and Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and Contact time for the SIA licence-linked qualifications, including Working as a CCTV Operator, have changed.
How long will it take?
To complete this qualification learners are expected to undertake approximately 31 hours of learning. The SIA stipulates a minimum of 22 contact hours (3-days) if self-study/flexible distance learning is undertaken.
If distance learning is NOT used for this qualification, then the course will be delivered over 4-days (30 contact hours).
Entry requirements
To register for this qualification – although the age limit is 16 and over – an SIA licence can only be applied for when learners are 18 and over.
Language pre-requisite
Security operatives are likely, during their work, to be required to make calls to the emergency services and communicate clearly to resolve conflict. It is therefore essential that security operatives can communicate verbally. As such, learners will be required to undertake an initial literacy assessment prior to enrolment and assessment examinations (theory and practical) during and at the end of the course. These examinations must be taken to complete your course work requirement.
There are no prerequisites for attending this course. However, it is advised that learners should have a minimum of Level 1 in literacy or numeracy or equivalent.
Structure of Course
The SIA and Awarding Bodies have “recognised that there is some learning that contributes to the achievement of the licence-linked qualifications that can be delivered by flexible and/or distance learning”. As such, Module/Unit 1: Principles of working in the Private Security Industry) of this course is by Distance Learning. Contents for this module are emailed to candidates prior to starting the course. Candidates are expected to have read (maximum of 9 hours) and develop understanding and knowledge about each topic of the module and ask the tutor/trainer any related questions as deemed fit each day and for the duration of the course.
Units/Modules covered are:
- Module 1 – Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry (9 hours of distance learning)
- Module 2 – Principles and Practices of Working as a CCTV Operator in the Private Security Industry
Assessment method
This qualification is assessed by a combination of practical assessments, oral questioning and multiple-choice examination papers.
To achieve this qualification, in addition to multiple-choice examinations, the learner will be required to:
- produce one hand-written witness statement, based on a centre-devised scenario
- complete one workbook containing six questions
- undertake an observation demonstrating practical use of a CCTV system, via the completion of a chosen scenario.
All practical activities must be visually recorded, and all assessment records (including video evidence) kept for audit purposes for 3 years.
| Unit No. | Unit Title | Knowledge Assessment Method | Practical Assessment Method |
| 1 | Principles of working in the Private Security Industry | Externally set and marked multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination made up of 70 questions (105 minutes) Pass mark = 70% | Externally set, internally assessed activity based on the completion of an evidential statement Pass mark = 100% |
| 2 | Principles and Practices of Working as a CCTV operator in the private security industry | Externally set and marked multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination made up of 40 questions (60 minutes) Pass mark = 70% | Externally set and internally assessed practical CCTV scenario with observation sheet Pass mark 100% Externally set and internally assessed short answer question (SAQ) workbook Pass mark = 80% Practical assessment to be visually recorded |
Progression opportunities
Progression and further learning routes could include:
- Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry
- Level 2 Award for Door Supervisors (Public Space Surveillance) in the Private Security Industry
- Level 3 Certificate for Working as a Close Protection Operative within the Private Security Industry
- Level 3 Award in the Delivery of Conflict Management Training
- Level 3 Award for Physical Intervention Trainers in the Private Security Industry
