If you want to become a Door Supervisor in the UK, then you have come to the right place.
Welcome to the definitive online guide detailing everything you need to know to pass your Door Supervisor training and to obtain your SIA licence.
Becoming a door supervisor is an exciting and worthwhile career choice. There are huge number of Door Supervisor jobs available these days.
Contents
Door Supervisor Job Description
Before you embark on a career as a door supervisor and go ahead to book your training course, it is important that you fully understand what the role involves.
Main Duties of a Door Supervisor
One of the main duties of a door supervisor is to check the suitability of people coming into the venue.
In the case of a bar or club this would involve judging whether a person is too drunk and might be a danger to themselves or others. A door supervisor will also need to check whether people entering the premises are of the correct legal age, and whether they carrying weapons or harmful substances.
In response to this, a door supervisor’s job is to refuse entry to anyone considered unacceptable.
Depending on the size of the venue, a Door Supervisor job will often involve working within a team of two or more other supervisors. Radio equipment is used so that each can keep in contact should assistance be required.
Team work is a very important aspect of being a door supervisor, and anyone thinking about embarking on such a career will need to be good working with others as well as be able to communicate with the public.
Hours of Work
Working hours are dependent on the opening times of the specific venue where you are working. Expect to work evenings and weekends however. Part-time door supervisor jobs are very common.
Working environment does vary, however the nature of the role will often mean working outside in all weathers. Duties inside the venue can mean working where it is very loud. A door supervisor will usually wear a uniform or a jacket with a highly visible security badge.
Door Supervisor Income
(London rates are generally higher with the average being between £9 – £14 per hour)
The SIA Licence for Door Supervisors
One of the first steps you need to take before beginning the road to becoming a door supervisor, is to check the requirements of the SIA Door Supervisor licence. You will want to make sure you are eligible to obtain one in the first place.
There are actually two types of SIA licences available; a frontline SIA licence is what you will need to become a door supervisor.
All front-line security roles require this licence. This type of licence is a credit card-sized plastic card that must be visibly worn by all frontline security personnel while on duty.
The other type of SIA licence is a non front-line and is issued to supervisors of those carrying out front-line duties.
Before applying for your SIA licence you will need to have passed the SIA training course for Door Supervisors and will also need to clear the SIA criminality checks.
Head here find out more about the SIA criminality checks.
How much will it cost?
This cost is payable directly to the SIA and will cover the cost of them processing your application after you have finished your training. Please remember that these fees are non refundable so it is important that you have all your documents in place when you make your application.
How long will it take?
The SIA website states that their application processing time is approximately 25 days, with around 80% of correctly submitted applications being finished in that time period.
However, if your application requires a more in depth criminality check, or contains qualifications from a non-U.K based training provider, processing time will take longer.
SIA Licence Integration
If you are feeling bold, and have passed the relevant training you may also apply for your Security Guard SIA licence at the same time as your Door Supervisor licence. Under the correct circumstances the SIA will issue a combined licence detailing more than one licensable activity. You can find out more on Licence integration Here.
The SIA ‘Get Licensed’ Booklet
The SIA publish a really in depth guide called, ‘Get Licensed’. This contains all the information about SIA licensing that you will find on this site. Download it Here.
Searching for a Training Provider
As you are probably aware, in order to become a door supervisor you will have to first past the training.
To do so you should enroll on a door supervisor course with an SIA approved training provider.
The best place to find a course starting near you, is to use the SIA website database of approved training providers. You can find it here.
There you can enter your postcode and find what training providers are in your area. The database also contains links to the relevant websites for you to check start dates and costs.
The average fee for the Door Supervisor Training Course is approximately £200.
The Door Supervisor Training Course
To obtain your SIA licence to work as a door supervisor you will need to take the Level 2 Award in Door Supervision course.
This course involves four training modules and requires you to pass three exams. SIA approved courses are delivered over 38 hours, with at least 30 hours being contact hours in the classroom.
Training leading to the SIA approved door supervision qualifications must be delivered over a minimum of FOUR days.
Core Learning for Common Security Industry Knowledge (10 hours of which 5 hours must be contact time)
- Session 1: Awareness of the Law in the Private Security Industry
- Session 2: Health and Safety for the Private Security Operative
- Session 3: Fire Safety Awareness
- Session 4: Emergency Procedures
- Session 5: The Private Security Industry
- Session 6: Communication Skills and Customer Care
Door Supervisor Specialist Module (10 hours of which all must be contact time)
- Session 1: Behavioural Standards
- Session 2: Civil and Criminal Law
- Session 3: Searching
- Session 4: Arrest
- Session 5: Drugs Awareness
- Session 6: Recording Incidents and Crime Preservation
- Session 7: Licensing Law
- Session 8: Emergency Procedures
Conflict Management Module (8 hours of which 7 ½ hours must be contact time)
- Session 1: Avoding Conflict and Reducing Personal Risk
- Session 2: Defusing Conflict
- Session 3: Resolving and Learning from Conflict
- Session 4b: Application of Communication Skills and Conflict Management for Door Supervisors
Physical Intervention Skills Module (10 hours of which 7 ½ hours must be contact time)
- Session 1: Introduction to Physical Skills
- Session 2: Disengagement Techniques
- Session 3: Escorting Techniques
Door supervisor examinations
To become a SIA licensed door supervisor you have to pass the level 2 examinations. There is no level 1 or 3 to complete to be a Door Supervisor. (We know this can be a tad confusing when you are starting out).
The door supervisor examination contains four modules. They are as follows:
- Working in the private security industry examination
Here you are tested via a multiple choice examination. The number of questions can vary depending on the awarding body being used by your training provider. You will normally have 45 minutes to finish this examination, with the pass mark being 75%.
- Working as a door supervisor examination paper
This is the main exam specific to working as a door supervisor. Again, you will be tested via a series of multiple-choice questions. The exam is normally 60 minutes with between 30 to 40 questions to be answered. (This depends on the awarding body being used). The pass mark for the door supervisor examination is 75%.
- Conflict management examination paper
Again the method of choice is the multiple-choice exam. Here you will be expected to answer 20 to 25 questions. The duration of the exam is 45 minutes.
- Physical Intervention examination
This examination paper can be either be in the form of a multiple choice or true and false selection. The assessment also has to be conducted with you’re your trainer. You will be required to practically demonstrate physical intervention techniques.
Exam Papers
- Working in the Private Security Industry 1 – Practice Exam with Answers
- Working in the Private Security Industry 2 – Practice Exam with Answers
- Level 2 Door Supervisor Exam – Practice Exam with Answers
- Level 2 Door Supervisor Exam – Unit 1, 2 & 3 Sample Questions Only
Applying For Your SIA Door Supervisor Licence
Once you have successfully passed the door supervisor course, it will be time to apply for your SIA Door Supervisor Licence.
The important factor to remember at this stage, is that you need to read the application form carefully. You do not want to waste valuable time sending off an application that doesn’t have all the requested documents.
What documents do I need?
The SIA requires that you send documents that provide proof of address and evidence you are who you say you are. There are two ways in which they ask you to do this. Either you provide:
- Two identity documents from licence evidence group A. One of the documents must show your address and at least one must show your date of birth.
Or
- One identity document from licence group A and two documents from licence group B. Again the same as above applies, at least one document showing your address, the other your date of birth.
Click here to see what are valid Group A and B SIA Licence documents.
The SIA state that any documents sent to them will be returned to you. However, with the new application process conducted through the post office, you do not need to send anything away now if you choose this method. (Details are below).
The new SIA Licence application process explained
As we mentioned above, the SIA now allows for the licence application process to be carried out at the post office.
This was put into place in order to speed up the application process and to help prevent administrative errors. It should also reduce the amount of rejected applications and the possibility of fraud.
The new application system will work in the following way:
- First you can begin your application apply by logging on to the SIA website and entering your application details online.
- The SIA online system will instruct you on exactly what documents you will need to provide.
- You can then visit your local Post Office taking the designated documents with you. The post office will check these against the application you began online. You can then take the documents away with you again.
- The Post Office will then take your photograph and signature.
- You pay the Post Office directly for your licence application. There is no extra fee for applying using this method.
- The Post Office will then send all your details to the SIA.
- If the application is successful you will receive your licence through the post in a matter of weeks.
How to pay for your SIA Door Supervisor Licence
The door supervisor licence costs £220 and will last you 3 years. The SIA / Post Office accepts UK bank cheques, and payments from debit/credit cards registered in the UK. (Cheques from foreign bank accounts or foreign credit cards are not accepted).
Door Supervisor Jobs – Applying for the Role
Congratulations, you have now completed your door supervisor training, and have sent off for your licence. While you wait for it to arrive in the post you can begin to search for your first door supervisor position.
Looking to find available door supervisor jobs is not the hassle it used to be.
These days there are a number of ways you can go about finding that first position. The internet has really helped in that way.
1. The Internet Search
The majority of door supervisor vacancies will be advertised online. One of the best online resources for security jobs is www.jobsindeed.co.uk. To head straight to the current door supervisor job list, follow the link below:
The great thing about the Jobs Indeed website is that it acts as a search engine, pulling job listings from all over the web into one place. This stops you from having to look through lots of job listings sites as you can view everything here.
To use the site, simply place your postcode as part of the search attribute along with ‘door supervisor jobs’ and click search. You can also set the distance from where you live to determine how far you are willing to travel for work.
Other websites should you wish to use them include: www.monstor.co.uk and www.jobsite.co.uk.
2. Security Recruitment Companies
Another obvious starting point when looking for a door supervisor job is a security recruitment company. You will find lots of these online. However, do check where they are based. Many will need you to come in for an interview before they begin looking for work for you. It is no good signing up for an agency if they are not based in your area.
Generally you will begin by signing yourself up online, and send across your CV. It definitely makes sense to get others conducting the job search for you.
Sometimes the rates can be lower through an agency, but as a way of getting that first door supervisor job they are definitely worth a look.
http://www.agencycentral.co.uk/agencysearch/security/agencysearch.htm
This gives you a searchable list of security recruitment agencies in your area.
http://www.churchillrecruitment.com/
A dedicated security recruitment company with offices throughout the UK.
An excellent resource for security jobs, including door supervisor positions. Helpful guides and news items also form part of the website.
http://www.oasisrecruitment.com/
Another dedicated security job recruitment company, with available jobs for all security roles.
http://www.securityvacancies.com/
A dedicated recruitment security jobs board that is well worth a look.
If you have any suggestions for good resources you have used in the past, do not hesitate to leave a link in the comments box below.
3. Local Job Centre & Government Agencies
Your local job centre is a valuable resource for jobs that do not get advertised elsewhere. The government employs a lot of security guards and door supervisors through out the UK. If they are advertising an available role – you will certainly find it being advertised at the job centre.
If you are currently unemployed, let your Job Centre advisor know you are looking for work as a door supervisor. You can set up email alerts with the Government Job site and have new postings sent to your inbox.
On the days that you go in to sign on, the job centre should also inform you if any door supervisor roles have come up.
4. Ask at Your Local Pubs / Clubs
Good old word of mouth is a powerful thing. If you know any working doormen, ask if there are any positions going where they work. Or if they are with an agency ask which one.
If you have pubs and bars in your area, ask if they are currently recruiting for door supervisors. Even if they aren’t at the time being, you may still get the opportunity to hand across your CV and you are at least making some ground work for when a position might come up.
If you get yourself out there you will find yourself in that first door supervisor role before you know it.
And there you have it, our guide to becoming a door supervisor. If you wish to leave any comments, have any queries or suggestions for what else you would like to see in this guide, please leave them below.