SIA training policies and requirements for disabled learners
Published 29 November 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sia-training-policies-and-requirements-for-disabled-learners/sia-training-policies-and-requirements-for-disabled-learners
Request
I am writing to formally request the disclosure of information regarding the SIA’s training requirements and policies. Specifically, I request the following between January 2019 to October 2020.
Documentation on grappling techniques
All training manuals, guidelines, and instructional materials detailing the grappling techniques required for the door supervisor licence.
Any assessments, reviews, or internal reports conducted by the SIA relating to the physical feasibility of these techniques for individuals with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Reasonable adjustments
Policies, procedures, and guidance documents outlining the reasonable adjustments that the SIA has implemented or considered implementing for disabled individuals in relation to the mandatory training requirements, including the grappling techniques and first aid training.
Correspondence and communications within the SIA, and between the SIA and training providers, regarding the provision and enforcement of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.
Consultation and impact assessments
Records of consultations undertaken by the SIA with stakeholders, including disabled individuals and advocacy groups, regarding the implementation of the current training requirements, particularly the physical intervention and grappling techniques.
Copies of any Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) or similar evaluations carried out by the SIA concerning the impact of the new training requirements on disabled individuals.
Financial burden and wage considerations
Internal documents, including reports, analyses, and meeting minutes, discussing the financial implications of the training and licensing requirements on security operatives, especially those earning the minimum wage.
Any assessments or considerations made by the SIA regarding the compliance of the training requirements with UK minimum wage laws, particularly in relation to the unpaid nature of the top-up training and the costs incurred by operatives.
Decision-making process
Records of internal discussions, meetings, and decision-making processes leading to the introduction of the mandatory grappling techniques and first aid training.
Any correspondence with external bodies, such as the Home Office or other regulatory authorities, regarding the implementation of these requirements.
Response
The SIA holds some of this information.
Documentation on grappling techniques
SIA training manuals, guidelines, and instructional materials detailing the grappling techniques required for the door supervisor licence is information exempt from disclosure under section 21(1) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. This is because the information is reasonably accessible to you by other means, namely it is available on the SIA’s website. You can access all the learning and qualifications specifications here: Read the specifications for SIA licence-linked training. I have also attached the relevant specification for the timeframe you have requested.
The SIA sets and approves standards of training and it does not include grappling techniques. Grappling is not a recognised term or method of physical intervention used in licence-linked training.
The SIA sets and approves standards of training by creating and publishing Specifications for Learning and Qualifications. These specifications are used by awarding organisations such as BIIAB Qualifications Limited, Highfield Qualifications and NOCN, SFJ Awards and other government-regulated awarding organisations recognised to offer assessment and quality assurance for nationally-recognised qualifications. The training is delivered by training providers who are in turn approved and audited by one or more awarding organisations.
The SIA does not hold any assessments, reviews or internal reports. The SIA does not deliver licence-linked training and therefore we do not carry out any reasonable adjustment assessments for learners. It would be the responsibility of the training provider to carry out a reasonable adjustment assessment if they were notified of a learner with a disability.
The SIA has previously published guidance for those offering SIA licence-linked training: First aid training requirement for door supervisors and security guards.
Reasonable adjustments
For the first half of this request please see the answer above.
In response to the second half, the SIA does not deliver licence-linked training, so we do not carry out reasonable adjustment assessments. The SIA has issued guidance to those delivering licence-linked training, as provided in the link above.
Consultation and impact assessments
This information is included in the attached PDF file.
Financial burden and wage considerations
This information is included in the attached PDF file.
Decision-making process
The SIA sets and approves standards of training and it does not include grappling techniques. Grappling is not a recognised term or method of physical intervention used in licence-linked training.
The requested information on physical intervention and first aid training has been included in the attached PDF.
[Ref FOI 0532]