SIA Security Guard Top-Up Course

From October 2021, security guards will need to complete top-up training before they renew their licence.

Therefore, this Highfield Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Top Up) course is designed for delegates who currently hold a licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to work as a security officer and need to be brought up to date with the new licence-linked qualification requirements.

This Level 2 Award for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry (Top-Up) course is based on the relevant SIA specification for learning and qualifications and is supported by Skills for Security, the standards-setting body for the security industry and the SIA, who regulate the private security industry.

The Security Guard Top Up courses consist of two parts:

Part 1: Theoretical knowledge (delivered via ACT e-learning and self study prior to the course start date):

Module 1 – Principles of Terror Threat Awareness in the Private Security Industry ( self-study approximately 2hrs). You will be required to complete the e-learning individually prior to your arrival at the training venue.

Log on to the Highfield ACT e-learning platform and work your way through the e-learning contents, along with the scenarios that provide them with real-life context. At the end of e-learning modules, you will be assessed by multiple-choice questions.

Once the assessment is complete, you will be able to download your certificate of completion.

Module 2  – Principles of Minimising Personal Risk for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry you will read the Top-up Textbook (sent to you via email) and complete Top-Up Workbook (also sent via e-mail) and send it back to our office.

Part 2: Multiple choice examination (classroom based):

Please note, the questions in the examination will be based on the theoretical knowledge covered in self-study modules.

Learning Outcomes:

Module 1: Principles of Terror Threat Awareness in the Private Security Industry

• Understanding terror threats and the role of the security operative in the event of a threat
• How to recognise the common terror attack methods
• How to recognise the actions to take in the event of a terror threat
• How to identify the procedures for dealing with suspicious items
• How to identify behaviours that could indicate suspicious activity
• How to identify how to respond to suspicious behaviour

 

Module 2: Principles of Minimising Personal Risk for Security Officers in the Private Security Industry

• Know the main characteristics and purposes of the Private Security Industry
• Understand legislation as it applies to a security operative
• Understand arrest procedures relevant to security operatives
• Understand the importance of safe working practices
• Understand fire procedures in the workplace
• Understand emergencies and the importance of emergency procedures
• Understand how to communicate effectively as a security operative
• Understand record keeping relevant to the role of the security operative
• Understand terror threats and the role of the security operative in the event of a threat
• Understand how to keep vulnerable people safe
• Understand good practice for post incident management

Entry Requirements

To register for the course, all candidates must be aged 18 and over.

It is an SIA requirement that training centres must confirm that each learner is sufficiently qualified in First Aid or Emergency First Aid. Therefore, all candidates will need to show that they hold a current and valid First Aid or Emergency First Aid certificate that meets the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

The First Aid or Emergency First Aid certificate must be valid for at least 12 months from the course start date.

You will need to present your First Aid or Emergency First Aid certificate to Training4Employment before you start SIA Security Guard Top Up training.

If you don’t have a valid First Aid or Emergency First Aid certificate, we can offer you an Emergency First Aid Training Course.

To pass the Security Officer Top Up course you will have to pass multiple choice question examination.

We have a policy of NO PASS – NO RETAKE FEE, so if you do not pass there is no charge for 2 re-takes. Our pass rate is over 95%.

Everything you need to know for the exams is covered in the course and our experienced trainers will fully prepare you for success in the tests.

Exam results will be made available within 7 to 14 working days.

Our aim is to make it as easy as possible to learn and relate subjects with Training 4 Employment Ltd.

1. Bookings may be made by e-mail, via the T4E website, or by telephone.
2. Registration for the course is not guaranteed until a completed registration form and payment (deposit) has been received. Placement in the course will be confirmed via E-mail by the T4E staff.
3. Deposit and payments. Our courses are non-refundable 24 hours after booking. You can receive a full refund if you inform us within 24 hours of booking of your intention to cancel, and you will be refunded the amount paid for the course. Courses cancelled after 24 hours of booking will not be eligible for a refund.
4. If you fail to attend without notice or arrive late for the course, the tutor will refuse your place on the course due to the amount of content missed, you will not be entitled to a refund. 100% attendance is a must…….. read full Booking Terms & Conditions

If you’re funding your studies yourself then we have three payment options available, detailed below:

Payment in Full: If your budget allows, you can make your payment in full and start your studies knowing the cost of your course is complete. The course fee £69.98 includes examination fees, full instruction, and exam resit.

Your SIA licence will not renew automatically. You must renew your licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) if you want to keep working in the same role when your current licence expires.

You are not guaranteed a licence just because you already have one. This is because:

• something you have done might mean that you may no longer meet the Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensing requirements (for example, if you have been convicted of a relevant offence)
• Security Industry Authority (SIA) may have changed their licensing criteria since you have been granted your current licence

You cannot renew a licence unless you have a current licence in that sector. If your licence has already expired, you must apply for a new licence.

 

Background checks

Security Industry Authority (SIA) will carry out the same checks on new applications and renewals. This means that you will still need to prove your identity, even though you already hold a licence and have already been through the application process. You will need to confirm your identity every time you apply so that the Security Industry Authority (SIA) can conduct relevant criminal record checks.

You may be asked to go to a UK Post Office as part of your renewal application. You can use the Post Office branch finder to find a Post Office near to you. Check that it handles SIA licence applications before you go.

 

Renew your licence as soon as you can

You can apply to renew your licence four (4) months before your current licence expires. You should submit your renewal application as soon as you can. Applying early gives us more time to process your application, which reduces the risk of you being unlicensed and unable to work.

You will not lose time on your new licence by renewing early. Security Industry Authority (SIA) will add any time left on your current licence onto your new one. Your new licence will be valid from the day it’s granted.

How to apply

You can complete your SIA licence application for renewal online. You must supply the supporting relevant documentation and pay a fee. The licence application costs £190 and is non-refundable.

You should check with your employer before you renew your licence. They may pay your application fee on your behalf, or even submit your renewal application for you.

You will need to link your SIA online account with theirs before they can do this. They will send you an email with a request to link with their account. You do not have to agree, but they will not be able to pay for or submit your application unless you do.

The application fee for a renewal is the same as for a new licence: £190.

Security Industry Authority (SIA) may discount the application fee by 50% if all of the following are true:

• you already hold another licence for a different licensable activity
• you paid the full application fee for that licence (so, it was not discounted)
• that licence has more than 4 months left to run

Three years. Once a qualification is achieved, it is then valid to use to apply for the licence for three years.

Certificates are usually sent to your email within 3 days after the examination Board have relieced your examination results.  It takes approximately 3 calendar weeks.

Please note, you don’t need a certificate to apply for your SIA Licence.

No, you do not need to send your pass certificate. The SIA will be informed that you have passed. This will be done by the examination board (Highfield).

Please ensure that you apply for your SIA licence using the exact same name and date of birth as you put on your course documentation. Your personal details must match exactly.

There may be a short delay whilst the examination board (Highfield) transfers your results to the main SIA database.

If you apply for your licence immediately after the results are released (we have emailed them to you), and you find that your name is not found on the SIA database it is usually because of that. To resolve, simply wait a short while and then try again.