Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence Door Supervision Specialist Module Syllabus

What are the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010?

Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

What is the difference between direct and indirect discrimination?

Direct discrimination is treating someone less favourably because of a protected characteristic. Indirect discrimination is applying a rule or policy that disadvantages people with a protected characteristic, even if applied to everyone.

When can a door supervisor lawfully refuse entry or service?

For legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons - e.g. the person is too intoxicated, underage, violent or abusive, breaching dress code/admission policy, banned, or to comply with capacity limits and the law. Refusal must never be based on a protected characteristic.

Why must reasons for refusal of service be objective and recorded?

To demonstrate the refusal was lawful and non-discriminatory, to protect the venue and door supervisor from claims under the Equality Act 2010, and to provide an evidential record if challenged.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, what is the offence of selling alcohol to a drunk person?

It is an offence to knowingly sell or attempt to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk, or to allow alcohol to be sold to them on the premises. It is also an offence to obtain alcohol for a drunk person.

What is the legal minimum age to buy alcohol in licensed premises in the UK, and the related offence?

18. It is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18, and an offence for under-18s to buy or attempt to buy alcohol. Proxy purchasing (buying alcohol for an under-18) is also an offence.

What does the Challenge 25 (Think 25) policy require?

That anyone who appears to be under 25 should be asked for proof of age (valid ID) before being sold alcohol or admitted, to reduce the risk of selling to under-18s.

What forms of ID are typically accepted as proof of age in licensed premises?

A photo driving licence, a passport, a Ministry of Defence card, or a PASS-accredited (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) card bearing the PASS hologram.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, what is the offence relating to a person who is drunk and disorderly being on premises?

It is an offence to allow disorderly conduct on licensed premises, and a door supervisor/licence holder can be required to remove a person who is drunk or disorderly; failing to leave when asked is itself an offence.

What physical and behavioural signs indicate that a person is intoxicated by alcohol?

Slurred speech, glazed/bloodshot eyes, unsteady gait or swaying, loss of coordination, smell of alcohol, aggression or over-familiarity, drowsiness, and impaired judgement.

What signs might indicate that a person is under the influence of stimulant drugs (e.g. cocaine, amphetamines)?

Dilated pupils, hyperactivity/excessive energy, rapid speech, sweating, jaw clenching or teeth grinding, increased confidence or aggression, and reduced need for sleep.

What signs might indicate that a person is under the influence of depressant or opioid drugs (e.g. heroin)?

Constricted (pinpoint) pupils, drowsiness or 'nodding off', slow/slurred speech, slow breathing, lethargy, and slowed reactions.

On what legal basis can a door supervisor search a person entering a venue?

Only with the person's consent as a condition of entry - door supervisors have no legal power to search without consent. The person may refuse, but entry can then be lawfully refused under the admission policy.

What are the key principles for conducting a lawful and respectful search of a person?

Obtain consent, search a person of the same sex where possible, use a witness, explain what you are doing, search systematically and proportionately, respect dignity and privacy, and never use force - if they refuse, refuse entry instead.

What should a door supervisor do if a prohibited item or suspected drugs are found during a search?

Do not handle drugs unnecessarily; refuse entry or eject, retain/secure the item if safe, preserve it as potential evidence, follow the venue drugs policy, record the incident, and report to the police/DPS as appropriate.

What is the purpose of an effective queue management and admission policy?

To control the flow and number of people entering, maintain safety and prevent overcrowding, allow assessment of patrons (age, intoxication, behaviour) before entry, reduce conflict, and ensure compliance with capacity and licensing conditions.

Why is venue capacity a critical safety figure for door supervisors?

Exceeding the safe maximum occupancy increases risks of crushing, blocked exits, and inability to evacuate safely; capacity limits are often a licence condition, so admitting beyond capacity can breach the licence and endanger lives.

What is the correct procedure for ejecting a person from a venue?

Use the minimum reasonable force only if necessary, give clear reasons, use a team approach with a witness, escort them to the nearest safe exit, avoid leaving vulnerable people in danger, do not eject into immediate hazard, and record the ejection in the notebook/incident log.

What is 'duty of care' in relation to ejecting an intoxicated person?

You must not eject a person into a situation of foreseeable danger (e.g. onto a busy road, in freezing conditions, while unconscious). Vulnerable or very intoxicated people should be monitored, given first aid, or handed to a responsible person/medical help.

Define crowd dynamics and why understanding it matters for event safety.

Crowd dynamics is the study of how groups of people move and behave in a space. Understanding it helps anticipate crushing, surges, bottlenecks and panic, allowing door staff to manage flow, density and exits to prevent injury.

What is the difference between a crowd 'crush' and a 'surge'?

A surge is a sudden forward movement of a crowd (often towards a stage or entrance); a crush occurs when crowd density becomes so high that people cannot move and pressure causes injury or asphyxiation. Surges can cause crushes.

What factors increase the risk of dangerous crowd density at an event?

Overcrowding/exceeding capacity, blocked or insufficient exits, bottlenecks and narrow points, alcohol and drug use, poor communication, surging towards attractions, and inadequate stewarding.

What is the purpose of a door supervisor's notebook (pocket notebook)?

To make an accurate, contemporaneous record of incidents, observations and actions which can later be used as evidence in court, support statements, and provide an audit trail. It demonstrates professionalism and accuracy.

What does the mnemonic for accurate note-taking, often based on the questions 'Who, What, Where, When, Why, How', help a door supervisor record?

The key facts of an incident: Who was involved, What happened, Where it occurred, When (date/time), Why it happened, and How it occurred - ensuring complete and reliable records.

What are the key rules for completing notebook entries so they are admissible as evidence?

Write in ink, record contemporaneously (as soon as possible), keep entries in chronological order, do not leave blank spaces, do not erase errors (cross out with a single line and initial), be accurate, factual and objective, and avoid opinion or abbreviations.

What does the acronym ABC stand for in making professional records and statements?

Accuracy, Brevity, and Clarity - records and statements should be Accurate (factual), Brief (concise and relevant), and Clear (easily understood).

What is a crime scene and why must a door supervisor preserve it?

A crime scene is any location containing evidence of an offence. Preserving it protects physical and forensic evidence (fingerprints, DNA, weapons, CCTV) from contamination, loss or destruction so it can support a successful police investigation and prosecution.

What practical steps should a door supervisor take to preserve a crime scene?

Do not touch or move anything, cordon off and restrict access, keep witnesses and the public away, prevent contamination, note who has entered the area, record details, and hand over the scene intact to the police when they arrive.

What information should a door supervisor pass to the police when they arrive at an incident?

A concise factual account using Who/What/Where/When/How, details and descriptions of suspects and witnesses, what has been done to preserve the scene, location of any evidence or CCTV, injuries and first aid given, and any ongoing risks.

What are the key qualities of a good witness statement given by a door supervisor?

It should be a true, accurate, first-hand account based on direct observation, factual rather than opinion, in chronological order, made from contemporaneous notes, signed and dated. It must be honest even if it does not favour the venue or door staff.