Description
Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry
As a result of the Private Security Industry Authority Act 2001, a Security Officer licence is required when security guarding activities – manned security or physical security – are carried out 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 Security Officer, have changed.
How long will it take?
To complete this qualification learners are expected to undertake approximately 42 hours of learning. The SIA stipulates a minimum of 29 contact hours (4-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 5-days (38-hours).
Entry requirements
To register for this qualification, learners MUST be aged 18 and over.
- Level 3 (QCF/RQF)/ Level 6 (SCQF) Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW)
Learners should present their valid first aid certificate before they start training.
This certificate must be valid for at least 12 months from course start date.
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 – Physical Intervention) 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.
Units/Modules covered are:
- Module 1 – Principles of Working in the Private Security Industry (9 hours of distance learning)
- Module 2 – Principles of Working as a Security Officer In the Private Security Industry
- Module 3 – Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry (3 hours of distance learning)
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
- undertake one practical searching activity, based on a given brief
- undertake conflict management scenario-based practical activities
- partake in an oral question and answer session based on the conflict management activities
Learners must successfully pass all criteria to achieve a pass overall for each assessment. All assessments, including multiple-choice examinations, must be passed in full in order to pass each unit. All units must be passed to achieve a pass for the qualification overall.
All practical activities will 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 of Working as a Security Officer in the Private Security Industry | Externally set and marked multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination made up of 60 questions (90 minutes) Pass mark = 70% | Externally set, internally assessed observation of searching and using communication devices with observation sheet Pass mark – 100% Practical assessment to be visually recorded |
| 3 | Application of Conflict Management in the Private Security Industry | Externally set and marked multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination made up of 20 questions (30 minutes) Pass mark = 70% | Externally set, internally assessed practical scenario with an observation sheet Pass mark = 100% Practical assessment to be visually recorded |
** The trainer will only pass a learner when all of the techniques have been demonstrated successfully.
Condition of Entry
Learners are required to attend training in tracks suits or suitable clothing for physical activities and must be aware that this course requires a large amount of physical activities and will involve physical contact. Learners should consult their GP if they have any pre-existing conditions or have any health issues that could affect them while being involved in Physical Activities.
Learners must ensure their finger nails are cut short as it’s required to comply with Health & safety reasons, and wear suitable flat soled footwear or trainers for the physical intervention unit.
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 (RQF)
- Level 3 Award for Physical Intervention Trainers in the Private Security Industry
