FOI release

SIA licence applicants with disabilities

Published 30 March 2026

Request

I am a licensed door supervisor who has become a wheelchair user during the period of holding my licence. I am now seeking to complete my door supervisor refresher training.

However, I have been advised by several training providers in London that this is not possible under Highfield’s current guidance. In contrast, I understand from the SIA’s own position that reasonable adjustments should be allowed and that the Physical Intervention (PI) component may be exempted under extenuating circumstances.

As a disabled licence holder, I am concerned that the conflicting information I am receiving from training providers and awarding organisations may conflict with my rights under the Equality Act 2010, which places a duty on awarding bodies and providers to ensure disabled candidates are not placed at a substantial disadvantage.

I would be grateful if you could please confirm:

• the SIA’s official position on the use of reasonable adjustments for wheelchair users in refresher training
• whether exemptions from the PI element are permitted where a disability prevents participation
• what steps I should take if an awarding organisation or training provider refuses to make these adjustments

Your clarification will help me proceed with my training in a way that is both compliant with SIA licensing requirements and consistent with the Equality Act 2010.

Response

The SIA holds the information you have requested.

Our official position on the use of reasonable adjustments for wheelchair users in refresher training

The SIA is the statutory regulator for the private security industry. The SIA does not and has never been expected to deliver training to the private security industry itself. It is not responsible for the implementation of reasonable adjustments for any persons undertaking training to obtain an SIA licence. 

This responsibility sits with the training provider who is approved by an awarding organisation to deliver licence-linked or refresher training.  

Each training provider must consider a request for reasonable adjustments from a learner. If a learner is dissatisfied with the manner in which a training provider has considered a request for reasonable adjustments, they should raise their concerns with the relevant awarding organisation. 

If the learner remains dissatisfied with the outcome, they can report their concerns to the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations (Ofqual).

Whether exemptions from the Physical Intervention (PI) element are permitted where a disability prevents participation

The Physical Intervention module forms part of the training to become a door supervisor. The role of a door supervisor is to protect the venue, the customers, and their colleagues. A big part of this is refusing entry to anyone they consider unsuitable and removing from the venue people who are acting disorderly. Door supervisors often need to manage crowds and queues and ensure people are safe. If a door supervisor cannot defuse a situation, then they may have to use physical intervention. This involves using direct or indirect force to limit another person’s movements by holding, directing, or restraining them.

The Physical Intervention module requires a learner to demonstrate that they can use non-aggressive physical skills to protect themselves and others from assault and be able to use non-pain compliant standing holding and escorting techniques, including non-restrictive and restrictive skills. This is an essential requirement for door supervisors given the nature of the role that they are undertaking.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the skills which form the Physical Intervention module. If an individual is unable to demonstrate these safety critical skills, they will not be able to pass the assessment and apply for or renew an SIA door supervision licence.

There are no exemptions where the requirement to be able to demonstrate these skills is permitted.

Read about other roles in the private security industry that an individual in a wheelchair may be able to undertake.

Steps to take if an awarding organisation or training provider refuses to make these adjustments

If a training provider refuses to make reasonable adjustments, you can raise your concerns directly with the training provider who is responsible for making reasonable adjustments.

If you are not satisfied with the response from your training provider, you may escalate your concern with the awarding organisation, Highfield.

The contact details for Highfield are:

• telephone: 01302 363277
• email: info@highfield.co.uk
• website: www.highfieldqualifications.com

If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome, you can contact Ofqual.

[Ref: FOI 0583]