No boundaries, only horizons

Are any of your staff working in roles covered by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, the Police Reform Act 2002, the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and the Private Security Industry Act 2001? If they’re security personnel, Street, Neighbourhood or Community Wardens or those employed in community and public safety roles then it’s likely they will be. It’s also likely they’re going to need empowerment training to fulfil the tasks asked of them. That’s why the Ramesses Group has devised its latest qualification.

The Community and Public Safety Award is a Level 3 qualification divided into core and sector-specific pathway modules (thus facilitating the broadest take-up within the extended police family), and aims to provide all participants with the opportunity to undergo initial, higher or further training related to their specific area within this broadening field.

Recognised as a qualification for the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme under the Police Reform Act – ACPO policy is due for release any time now – the course is purpose-designed to be deliverable through workshops and supported distance learning.

The core modules account for 80 hours of guided learning, with the pathways – chosen from a list of optional unit titles – adding a further 20. As things stand, candidates must complete all core units plus any two optional units from their chosen pathway to attain full certification. The development process has provided for three additional pathways, with plans for (at least) a further three to be added.

Core modules and pathways

Core modules encompass an introduction to the extended police family, Health and Safety and risk assessments in community and public safety operations, fire safety awareness, the law, diversity and anti-discriminatory practices, communication and conflict management skills and presenting evidence during Court proceedings.

For their part, the pathways are split into three streams. In the Community Safety Accreditation pathway, candidates must complete any two optional units from recognising and recording breaches in the law and regulations, emergency and scene management, applying powers inferred by the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and applying those powers inferred by the Police Reform Act 2002 (which allows chief constables to accredit private sector individuals working in community safety and security via Community Safety Accreditation Schemes).

The Community/Street/Neighbourhood Wardens pathways contain five units, two of which have to be completed. The five modules are: environmental issues in community and public safety operations, crime prevention and reduction, applying powers inferred by the Police Reform Act and the Anti-Social Behaviour Act and recognising (and recording) breaches in the law.

There’s a special pathway devised for sports events. The four modules here are: the law in relation to sporting event management, emergency and scene management and public safety, recording breaches in regulations and the law and briefing/debriefing staff.

Core modules [of the Community and Public Safety Award] encompass an introduction to the extended police family, Health and Safety and risk assessments in community and public safety operations, fire safety awareness, the law, diversity and anti-discriminatory practices

On completion of this course, participants will have acquired a far deeper knowledge and understanding of the issues they’ll be required to deal with in their working environment. The qualification provides a pathway to further study, and helps in meeting the need for CPD.

The Community and Public Safety Award is a ‘customised’ BTEC qualification to be certified by Edexcel at Level 3 (subject to final approval). Participants can complete the full scheme (ie 100 guided learning hours) or individual units (this time of ten guided learning hours each).

The Ramesses Group is also offering courses in Security Guarding and Door Supervision that are Security Industry Authority (SIA)-compliant. The former is a bespoke four-day course aimed at those applying for an SIA licence, resulting in the National Open College Network Security Guarding Certificate endorsed by SITO. There are no pre-entry qualifications required.

Delivered in a classroom scenario, the course is split into two parts. Part One involves knowledge-based training and assessment. It examines the roles and responsibilities of the security officer, customer care and social skills, fire safety, Health and Safety, dealing with incidents and emergencies, the law (both civil and criminal), procedures for the control of keys and equipment, assignment instructions and basic reporting skills. Part Two – the practical, scenario-based training and assessment section – covers communication skills and conflict management.

The course for door supervisors is also split into two distinct elements, and will be useful for those companies and door staff already emroiled in the licensing process. The roles and responsibilities of a door supervisor are examined in Part One. Part Two concentrates on communication skills and conflict management strategies. Discussion groups are convened and situations played out that require effective skills so that candidates can decide how to deal with given situations.

First Aid at Work

A First Aid at Work certificate approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can be gained by attendance on the First Aid at Work course, which is applicable for any member of the security team tasked with carrying out First Aid duties. A whole host of areas are examined here, including the treatment of specific wounds and head injuries, the management of spinal injuries, burns, dealing with poisonings and coping with joint and muscle problems.

The Ramesses Group also runs a one-day course in Emergency First Aid, with the resulting certificate for those who pass valid for three years and fully-recognised by the HSE. Areas concentrated on here include: the priorities of treatment, resuscitation and the treatment of blood loss and burns.