Hiring door supervisors is not like hiring general staff. The work is regulated, the licence has to match the job, and if something goes wrong both the venue and the supplier are asked what checks were made. This guide covers what the law requires, how to check the people you are hiring, and what a good supplier should be able to tell you.
When a door supervisor licence is required
A door supervisor licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is needed when someone provides a physical presence to guard against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour at licensed premises, while the premises are open to the public, alcohol is being supplied or regulated entertainment is being provided. “Licensed premises” means a venue licensed to sell alcohol or provide regulated entertainment, such as live music or film screenings.
This applies whether the door supervisor is supplied under a contract by a security company or is employed directly by the venue. Door supervision at licensed premises is one of the few security roles where an in-house employee still needs a licence.
What your premises licence may add
Where a premises licence requires door supervisors to be at the premises at particular times, the Licensing Act 2003 requires the licence to say that each of them must hold an SIA licence. Licensing authorities often add their own conditions as well, such as the number of door supervisors for a given capacity, a record of who was on duty, or an incident log. Some councils’ model conditions also say that door staff must be supplied by an SIA Approved Contractor. Read your own licence carefully, and ask your licensing authority if a condition is unclear.
What a licensed door supervisor has done to qualify
To get a front line licence, an applicant must be 18 or over, pass an identity check and a criminal record check, have the right to work in the UK and hold the SIA-recognised qualification for the role. For door supervisors that is the Level 2 Award for Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry, taken with an approved training provider. Applicants must also hold a valid first aid qualification before they can take the training, and anyone renewing needs the refresher qualification as well.
A licence shows that someone has met these requirements. It does not tell you how good they are on the night, which is why the questions further down matter.
How to check a door supervisor
- Search the SIA’s public Register of Licence Holders on GOV.UK, using the 16-digit licence number or the surname plus other details such as date of birth and role.
- Confirm that it is a door supervisor licence. A security guard licence does not cover door supervision at licensed premises, although a door supervisor licence also allows security guarding.
- Check that the status is current and the expiry date has not passed, and compare the photo with the person in front of you.
- Keep a record of each person’s name, licence number and the dates and times they worked. Many licensing authorities require this, and it shows what checks you made if you are ever asked.
What door supervisors can and cannot do
Licensed door supervisors are not police officers. The SIA has confirmed that security operatives have no special powers beyond those of any other citizen. A venue can set its conditions of entry within the law, including equality law, and door supervisors act on the venue’s instructions.
Any person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances to prevent crime or to make a lawful arrest, and the force must be necessary and proportionate to the threat. Under section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, any person can also make an arrest without a warrant in limited circumstances, such as for an indictable offence, but the conditions are strict and the police should be called. A good supplier briefs its officers on these limits and expects them to rely on communication first.
How many door supervisors do you need?
There is no single legal ratio. Some premises licences set a number or a ratio, and if yours does, you must follow it. Where the licence is silent, sensible numbers come from a risk assessment that looks at the size of the venue, the expected attendance, the type of event and the location. Our guide to how many security guards an event needs explains how to work it out.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Does every door supervisor hold a current door supervisor licence, and can I check each one on the register before the shift?
- Who is the supervisor on duty, and how do I reach them?
- How will the officers be briefed on my venue, my licence conditions and my capacity?
- How are incidents recorded and reported back to me?
- Does the company carry public liability insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- What happens if someone is ill or drops out on the night?
How GM Secure can help
GM Secure supplies SIA-licensed, DBS-checked door supervisors for venues and events across London and the UK. Tell us the venue, the date, the expected numbers and any licence conditions that mention security, and we will tell you honestly what we can provide. If your premises licence has conditions about who may supply door staff, please tell us at the outset so we can say plainly whether we are able to help. You can check every licence on the SIA register. Read more about our door supervisor and event security services.
Official sources
- Find out if you need an SIA licence (GOV.UK)
- Check security staff have a licence to work (GOV.UK)
- Check what training you need to get an SIA licence (GOV.UK)
- SIA licence conditions (GOV.UK)
- Licensing Act 2003, section 21: door supervision (legislation.gov.uk)
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK and your local licensing authority for what applies to your venue or event.