This apprenticeship has options. This document is currently showing the following option:
This occupation is found in a range of public, private and not for profit sectors. These can include iconic or historic locations, commercial or residential buildings, transport and rail installations, healthcare and educational facilities, retail outlets, logistics and the transportation of high net-worth assets and currency. Employment can range from a small front-of-house security team to large-scale nation-wide organisations.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to be an organisation’s first line of defence against activities that threaten the security of the UK and continuity of its organisations' core businesses. Professional security operatives protect people, assets, property and premises via a layered security approach. This includes the need to enforce legal requirements, policies, procedures (including Standard Operating Procedures and Emergency Operating Procedures) and rules to provide a safe and secure environment. Professional security operatives monitor assigned areas to act as a deterrent, identify hostile reconnaissance, identify suspicious items, people, or vehicles and respond to alarms, incidents and emergencies. They will conduct regular and random searches and report and record information following organisational procedure. Through the performance of these duties, professional security operatives also play a key role in counter terrorism activity.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the public and a broad range of other stakeholders including the organisational hierarchy, peers, clients, contractors, sub-contractors, blue light services, and enforcement agencies.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for identifying the risk of the security of people, places, property and assets to protect them from threats that intentionally or accidentally exploit vulnerabilities. They work at pace and undertake duties independently, reporting to a shift supervisor, team leader or security manager. They may work as part of a security team, and must undertake professional development to enhance their skills and understand the company security culture.
Professional security operatives are on the front line and will be ambassadors for the security profession and the business in which they work. Integrity and honesty are paramount for the industry and future career choices. They will adhere to the dress code and use personal protection equipment when required. They will be professional, courteous, calm and empathetic in all situations and treat information and details confidentially in-house and externally. They will be respectful of team members and end-users and provide a high standard of customer service.
This apprenticeship is open to ‘in-house’ security operatives (direct employees) who usually do not need a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence to provide security services and for employees who work for sub-contractors, who are providing security services and do need an SIA licence.
Where an apprentice has an SIA licence, assessment of the apprentice’s current competence, through recognition of prior learning and experience, forms part of the initial assessment process, which ensures that the apprentice is on the right programme and includes eligibility checks. Entry requirements will be a matter for individual employers, typically an apprentice will go through security vetting requirements. The CViT Operative option and Mobile Patrol Security Operative option must possess a valid driving licence. Employers will assist the apprentice with entry requirements before on-boarding.
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Duty 1 Conduct workplace activities using equipment, resources and technology in line with the organisation’s assignment instructions and workplace values. |
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Duty 2 Escalate security-related incidents (for example, potential breaches of sterile areas, restricted areas, terrorist attacks and prohibited articles) to an appropriate supervisor/manager. |
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Duty 3 Respond appropriately to, and provide assistance for; accidents, incidents and emergencies and carry out procedures to protect people, assets, and property to limit loss or damage in publicly accessible locations and relay information to other colleagues / stakeholders. |
K1 K5 K6 K8 K15 K16 K17 K25 K26 K27 |
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Duty 4 Deliver a professional service in the workplace and contribute to a contextualised security customer experience. |
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Duty 5 Compose and maintain technical security reports and documentation to meet current regulatory and legislative requirements. |
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Duty 6 Carry out asset audits or equipment checks using an agreed list such as keys, safety equipment, and any other equipment used in the workplace. |
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Duty 7 Develop relationships with external agencies and local police to ensure a co-ordinated response to security related incidents. |
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Duty 8 Develop and maintain a heightened awareness of current national and local risk levels, threats, and potential terrorist activity. |
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Duty 9 Follow specific security measures in line with internal guidance and legislation to respond appropriately to alarm activation. |
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Duty 10 Use appropriate measures and equipment to check suspicious activity and hostile reconnaissance and respond according to guidelines. |
K1 K2 K9 K10 K11 K13 K17 K18 K19 K21 K22 |
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Duty 11 Receive and communicate a brief or debrief at handover/shift change to ensure operational continuity. |
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Duty 12 Provide physical and technical security measures using dynamic risk assessment to maintain safety of self and others in publicly accessible locations. |
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Duty 13 Follow access control procedures for premises and events and prevent the admittance of unauthorised persons and objects, identifying the threat and/or risk. Record and report any irregularities which compromise security to an appropriate supervisor or manager. |
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Duty 14 Perform specific, random and general searches (for example: vehicles, persons, assets or property) using correct procedures and equipment to maintain security protocols. |
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Duty 15 Use appropriate measures to handle, confiscate, and report any prohibited articles identified during security checks to an appropriate supervisor or manager. |
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Duty 16 Use appropriate measures to control groups such as demonstrators, rioters, activists, persons of interest, members of the public. |
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Duty 17 Maintain a physical presence (for example patrolling, static guarding) to uphold the security of the area of jurisdiction. |
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Duty 18 Conduct daily safety checks on vehicles specially adapted for the transit of cash and/or valuables and the reporting of any security or mechanical issues to an appropriate supervisor or manager. |
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Duty 19 Adhere to safe driving standards for self and other road users during the transportation of cash or valuables. |
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Duty 20 Transport cash and valuables in specially adapted vehicles safely and with vigilance to and from all points of delivery and collection using pavement protection devices where required. |
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Duty 21 Plan and optimise transit routes to comply with times specified by customers for delivery and collection. |
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Duty 22 Balance and replenish automated teller machines (ATMs) by adhering to customer and company procedures. |
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Duty 23 Perform safe loading and unloading of the vehicle ensuring the load is evenly distributed to minimise risk. |
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Duty 24 Ensure adherence with across the pavement limits in line with company procedures. |
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Duty 25 Collecting and delivering cash and valuables in line with transport legislation. |
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Duty 26 Conduct vehicle safety checks and basic vehicle maintenance, reporting any malfunction in the vehicle and associated equipment to an appropriate supervisor or manager. |
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Duty 27 Drive mobile patrol vehicle following established safe driving standards and safe route planning methods. |
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Duty 28 Use appropriate physical and technical search methods at sites accessed during mobile security patrol activity to identify security breaches, suspicious items and activity, hostile reconnaissance, people and vehicles. |
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Duty 29 Plan and optimise transit routes to comply with client specified time windows. |
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Duty 30 Apply a risk and threat assessment for a variety of individual sites. |
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Duty 31 Comply with 'lone worker' protocols, ensuring communication with the Control Room is maintained as per procedures, to minimise risks to personal safety. |
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Duty 32 Conduct checks to verify that the system (control room equipment) is working to the required standards. Record and report any identified faults to an appropriate supervisor or manager. |
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Duty 33 Use the control room or CCTV surveillance equipment to support security measures, direct patrol staff and guide emergency services. |
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Duty 34 Gather, record and store evidence using the CCTV surveillance or control room equipment, reporting accordingly. |
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Duty 35 Monitor or track using control room equipment or CCTV equipment to identify criminal, terrorist or safety incidents and respond appropriately. |
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Duty 36 Complete all relevant documentation to ensure that the evidential audit trail is provided in line with procedures. |
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Duty 37 Use the control room or CCTV surveillance equipment to monitor the attendance, safety and welfare of security personnel including lone workers. |
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Duty 38 Implement the emergency procedures and use the emergency equipment to ensure continuity of business and maintain the integrity of the control room. |
K1: Relevant industry and operative specific regulations, legislation, guidance, and procedures (for example assignment instructions, SOPs, EOPs).
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K2: The importance of following legislation, monitoring risk, compliance, control, and the completion of legal documentation.
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K3: Impact of reputational damage for the individual, organisation, and security industry.
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K4: The security systems, applications, technology, and equipment used, how to identify faults or errors and the remedial action to take.
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K5: Organisational structure, vision, values, and business needs.
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K6: Own role within the team, the team’s role within the organisation and how it contributes to achieving organisational objectives.
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K7: Methods for identifying weapons (for examples explosive and incendiary items, firearms, bladed weapon) and other prohibited items that can cause security risks.
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K8: Emergency procedures, incidents and disruptions that may occur in a security environment and the appropriate action or reporting process to take in the event of an incident.
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K9: The movements and behaviours of people.
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K10: Awareness of working environment and areas.
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K11: Security industry regulators and associations and the role they play.
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K12: The importance of communications and its impact on customer service, the organisation (including subversive activity) and its stakeholders.
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K13: The principles, processes, and technology for controlling access into an area.
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K14: Methods to identify the needs of others and communication strategies for different situations.
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K15: How to use communication methods and technology systems to enable appropriate work and statutory information to be recorded or transmitted (for example, technology and methods for handover).
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K16: Principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion and the impact on the organisation.
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K17: The channels to communicate ideas for improvement.
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K18: How to identify suspicious items and activities, and the principles of HOT and the 4C’s.
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K19: Why items are prohibited and how to identify them.
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K20: Check calls and welfare check procedures for lone workers.
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K21: The importance of operating body worn cameras in the appropriate setting and according to organisational requirements.
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K22: Prohibited articles relevant to assignment instructions and how to deal with them.
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K23: Working securely online (including password management) and recognising suspicious communication such as email, websites, social media, pop-ups.
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K24: Negative impact of allowing certain behaviours, items or objects into certain areas and the reputational damage they may cause.
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K25: The unique threats and risks across a wide range of sites or locations.
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K26: Dynamic Risk Assessments for visits to a site or location.
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K27: Methods to mitigate gaps in physical security measures using monitoring equipment.
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K28: Internal and external factors that can affect systems/equipment performance.
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K29: The purpose and requirements of searching people, premises, vehicles or items for operational security.
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K30: Importance of checking ID cards and access credentials for operational security.
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K31: Different search methodologies, techniques, and patterns and why a search methodology may change for operational security.
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K32: Different patrol patterns and fixed post position requirements and what to look for when deployed in those positions.
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K33: Methods to find alternative routes of work areas using a site map.
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K34: Methods for gathering and storing images (for example CCTV, mobile device recordings, drones) for evidential use in operational security.
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K35: Responsibility for reporting vehicle defects and understand their personal liability for CViT operatives.
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K36: The process and procedures to take if involved in a road traffic accident in a CViT vehicle.
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K37: Vehicle and bay loading insurance limits.
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K38: Tracking systems and cameras in a CViT vehicle.
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K39: CViT vehicle's maximum pay load weight.
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K40: Legal parking and speed limit rules for specially-adapted CViT vehicles.
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K41: Impact of reputational damage for the organisation and security industry caused by careless, unsympathetic, reckless, or unsafe driving techniques when operating a CViT vehicle.
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K42: Methods to find alternative routes of work areas for CViT using road maps.
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K43: Route planning around electric vehicle charging (EVC) points for CViT.
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K44: The purpose and requirements of searching people, premises, vehicles or items for mobile security.
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K45: Different search methodologies, techniques, and patterns and why a search methodology may change for mobile security.
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K46: Responsibility for reporting vehicle defects and understand their personal liability for mobile security.
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K47: The process and procedures to take if involved in a road traffic accident in a mobile patrol vehicle.
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K48: Tracking systems and cameras in a mobile patrol vehicle.
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K49: Mobile patrol vehicle's maximum pay load weight.
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K50: Legal parking and speed limit rules for specially adapted mobile patrol vehicles.
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K51: Impact of reputational damage for the organisation and security industry caused by careless, unsympathetic, reckless, or unsafe driving techniques when operating a mobile patrol vehicle.
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K52: Methods to find alternative routes of work areas for mobile security using road maps.
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K53: Route planning around electric vehicle charging (EVC) points for mobile security.
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K54: Importance of checking ID cards and access credentials for control room operatives.
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K55: Importance of calibrating control room equipment.
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K56: Methods for gathering and storing images (for example CCTV, mobile device recordings, drones) for evidential use for control room operatives.
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K57: The purpose and requirements of virtually searching premises for control room operatives.
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K58: Different search methodologies, techniques, and patterns and why a search methodology may change for control room operatives.
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S1: Follow assignment instructions relevant to operational duties.
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S2: Carry out work in compliance with all regulations, guidance, legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
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S3: Use security systems, applications and software, technology and equipment in line with organisational and operational requirements.
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S4: Take action in the event of an incident, disruption, alarm activation or emergency, liaising with relevant people, escalating when necessary and recording actions and outcomes to meet guidance or organisational requirements.
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S5: Complete and maintain accurate documentation or reports to meet current legislation, guidance, or organisational requirements.
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S6: Challenge suspicious activities on or around the site and apply SCaN principles (see, check, and notify).
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S7: Deliver customer service to all stakeholders, responding to the needs of individuals.
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S8: Navigate a site plan or map of their working environment and areas.
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S9: Carry out observation of designated areas, report and record any irregularities mitigating security and safety threats.
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S10: Use digital communication applications and information management systems to communicate, learn, share, and record information.
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S11: Use personal protection equipment (PPE) correctly.
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S12: Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills (for example the 'Power of Hello’) when interacting with individuals.
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S13: Use an appropriate tone of voice in all communications that reflect the organisations or client’s values.
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S14: Contribute to review and improve the daily operating processes and procedures.
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S15: Defuse potential conflict situations.
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S16: Identify the component parts of explosive and incendiary items, firearms, and other prohibited items.
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S17: Carry out dynamic risk assessments at sites or locations.
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S18: Carry out various searches (for example, of areas, people, vehicles or items) in a operational security capacity.
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S19: Apply operational security access control systems, procedures, and forms of authorisation in crowded space environments or publicly accessible locations.
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S20: Identify, handle or potentially confiscate sensitive material, dangerous or prohibited items.
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S21: Patrol assigned areas for operational security to control access, detect and respond to unwanted activities, communicate, and report findings.
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S22: Deploy the correct type of barrier in an operational security context safely.
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S23: Carry out vehicle safety checks and basic maintenance on CViT vehicles.
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S24: Operate specially adapted vehicles' security system including load and unload mode.
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S25: Calculate the shortest and safest route between vehicle and collection point.
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S26: Read maps to find locations for CViT and re-route in case of traffic or diversions (paper map and/or sat nav technology).
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S27: Use communications and mapping equipment when operating a CViT vehicle.
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S28: Carry out various searches (for example, of areas, people, vehicles or items) in a mobile security capacity.
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S29: Patrol assigned areas for mobile security to control access, detect and respond to unwanted activities, communicate, and report findings.
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S30: Deploy correct type of barrier in a mobile security context safely.
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S31: Carry out vehicle safety checks and basic maintenance on mobile security vehicles.
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S32: Read maps to find locations for mobile security response and re-route in case of traffic or diversions (paper map and/or sat nav technology).
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S33: Use communications and mapping equipment when operating a mobile security vehicle.
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S34: Carry out various searches (for example, of areas, vehicles, or items) from the control room.
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S35: Apply control room access control systems, procedures, and forms of authorisation in crowded space environments or publicly accessible locations.
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S36: Scan and track assigned areas for control room to control access, detect and respond to unwanted activities, communicate, and report findings.
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S37: Deploy correct type of barrier in a control room context safely.
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S38: Identify and use components of a control room system.
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S39: Gather and store CCTV footage for evidential use.
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B1: Be vigilant, always paying close attention to detail.
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B2: Be professional, calm and positive role model to others in attitude to work.
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B3: Solution-focused displaying problem solving attributes.
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B4: Respectful to colleagues and stakeholders always.
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B5: Act reliably and responsibly.
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B6: Committed to continued professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance competence and share learning with others.
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B7: Follow employer’s or client’s code of conduct relating to behaviour, appearance and conduct.
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B8: Build appropriate working relationships and respect boundaries. Be co-operative and flexible.
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B9: Act honestly and with integrity.
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English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
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| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 27/07/2023 | Not set |
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