Protecting vulnerable people – a reminder of the responsibilities of security operatives
SIA licence holders hold an important position of trust. We would like to remind Door Supervisors in particular of their responsibility to identify and protect vulnerable members of the public.
The ‘Emergency Procedures’ session of the SIA’s door supervision training provides operatives with guidance as to how to identify vulnerable children or adults. As a reminder, the factors to look out for are:
- Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- Being alone or receiving unwanted attention
- Being separated from friends
- Appearing lost or isolated
- Being followed or threatened
- Victims of domestic violence
- Young people under the age of 18
- Having a physical or learning disability
The door supervision training also suggests actions that operatives should take to support vulnerable members of the public. These are:
- Seeking help of street pastors, street marshals or any other active schemes
- Calling a relative to assist in the case of a younger or vulnerable adult
- Calling for a licensed taxi to take the vulnerable person home
- Using ‘safe havens’ or other local initiatives run by organisations such as St John’s Ambulance
- Calling the police
Door supervisors are also trained on the required standards of behaviour, which include behaving with personal integrity and understanding, as well as never abusing their position of authority.
We sometimes receive reports from police or other agencies that licence holders have provided lifts home to drunk or otherwise vulnerable people whilst on duty. The information extends from genuine well-meaning acts of assistance to allegations of rape and sexual assault. To avoid unwanted allegations of misconduct or activity inconsistent with their duty to safeguard, operatives should not escort vulnerable people in relation to their work unless it is to the immediate safety of a responsible adult as listed above.
We will consider taking action against any licence holders that fail to follow their training in safeguarding vulnerable individuals and are deemed to have engaged in inappropriate conduct with a vulnerable person. This behaviour applies to a small number of licence holders but impacts on the reputation of a professional and hardworking industry, whose members frequently fulfil their role with bravery and in the face of significant provocation. If you are aware of colleagues or employees who do not follow this guidance, please report their behaviour to us on our website.
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