Information & Support for Door Supervisors - National Doorwatch

National Doorwatch determined to ensure the views of door supervisors is properly represented in the coming consultations on changes to licensing within the sector.

Door Supervisors in danger of being swept aside by the demands of the big boys in the Static Gaurding sector.

Firstly, National Doorwatch totally agrees that reforms to the current system are necessary.  National Doorwatch through its representation on the key steering groups is in broad agreement with the principles outlined in both the SIA and Security Alliance proposals.  National Doorwatch will continue to support these principles, provided the detail delivers real benefits to the door supervisors working on the ground.

What National Doorwatch have yet to work out is the real reason the SIA was selected for potential abolition. This is a body that is self-funding, with a large percentage of its income generated through individual licence payers (80%+ of door supervisors).  This is a body that is providing a national scheme, that is adding in an existing layer of security for the voting public.  This extra layer of security for the voting public is giving them additional confidence in the industry. 

Furthermore as increasing numbers of individuals have obtained a licence to practice, the cost to the employer have been significantly reduced.  Increasingly they expect prospective employees to arrive trained and ready to deploy.  The wages of door supervisors have been reduced due to the Governments policy, of seemingly using the licensed security sector as a dumping ground for its unemployment problems. With all this benefitting business and Government it is means we have to look closer at the situation to find a valid reason.

As far as National Doorwatch can see the only remaining cost to business in working with the SIA, is the fees required by the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).  This scheme was intended to demonstrate to prospective clients that the Security company concerned was fit for purpose.  Having ACS status is essential for those companies wishing to do business with Local Government and Authorities. In the begining this requirement kept out a lot of the competition, and for those who had ACS status business was good, and the fees were worth paying. 

This no longer the case as over 700 companies enjoy this status and provide real competition in terms of price and quality.  This crucial factor of exclusivity having been lost, coupled with a saturated labour market, means there is no longer any valid business reason for companies to continue to pay fees.  When one realise these fees run into millions of pounds for some companies it is easy to see why they want change sooner, rather than later.

National Doorwatch hope that someone will give a better explanation for the Governments desire to downgrade the SIA.  Right now it looks as if the security of the voting public, is being put at risk for nothing more than the profits of a few companies, with the right connections.  Reform of the current system is essential, but it has been essential for years.  The changes that need to be made, must be based on what is best for the voting public's security and not on the profits of a few.

National Doorwatch believes there is a fundamental difference in the needs of the leisure industry and the traditional static guarding roles.  National Doorwatch believes that the flexibility, and responsiveness required in the management of Night-time Economy (NTE) requires its own clear and seperate voice.  The recession means all of us involved in the NTE are going to have to work togehter to help make our towns and cities safer for business and customers alike.  Therefore National Doorwatch ask the, Police, Local Authorities, Door Supervisor Companies, and most of all door supervisors themselves to stand up, be counted, and make a difference.