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- Help keep people safe by managing the door at a venue
- You'll need to be calm in a crisis, firm and a good negotiator
- Can be physical work, often part time and with late night and weekend working
As a door supervisor you'll decide who to allow into the venue, and stop people entering who you decide are unsuitable. You'll check customers aren't underage or carrying illegal substances or objects, like drugs or weapons.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Managing crowds and queues
- Making sure people keep to the dress code
- Checking tickets
- Patrolling inside and outside the venue
- Watching people's behaviour and dealing with conflict
- Restraining and escorting people out of the venue if necessary
- Dealing with emergencies and co-operating with police, first aiders and management
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
Your working hours will depend on the opening times of the venue, but will usually include evening and weekend shifts. Part-time work is very common. You'll usually work on the door in all weathers and have some duties inside the venue. You'll usually wear a uniform and may have to work in a noisy environment, like a nightclub. You could work at events like a sports arena or at a music venue.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with the ability to make decisions quickly, good customer service skills, good powers of observation, strong communication skills the ability to defuse potentially violent situations.
You must be over 18 and hold a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence to work as a door supervisor in England or Wales.
You will also need to pass enhanced background checks and have a good level of physical fitness.
The Security Industry Authority may make other checks to decide if you're a suitable person to hold a licence.
You'll need to do the Level 2 Award for working as a Door Supervisor within the Private Security Industry, to get a front line licence, which is issued by the Security Industry Authority. You'll need to complete 4 training modules and pass the exams. Modules include: working within the private security industry, door supervisor specialist, conflict management and physical intervention skills.
If you have a criminal record, this does not necessarily mean that you will not be granted a licence. The Security Industry Authority has more detailed information.
If you already hold a door supervision qualification gained in the last 3 years, you may be able to apply for a front line licence. Check the information about previous qualifications from the Security Industry Authority.
As a door supervisor, you'll need to renew your licence every 3 years.
You may also be able to start through an intermediate apprenticeship in providing security services.
You could join the International Professional Security Association for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could progress to team leader or area supervisor. You could move into other types of security-related work, like retail security. You could also go on to set up your own agency.