Guide for doorstaff on the way
Standards in physical intervention for door supervisors and barstaff are being set for the first time by guidelines due to be published this autumn.
Representatives of the pub and late-night industries, security firms and the police have been working on the joint initiative since last summer in response to growing concerns over injuries to customers and rising litigation.
Still in consultation, but at final draft stage, the good practice guide will cover legal requirements, risk management, work-related violence policies, reporting and assessing and delivering training needs.
It will be published jointly by the pub industry's body for professional standards, the BII, and the security industry's sector skills council, Skills for Security, with the support of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which registers doorstaff.
Bill Fox of conflict specialist Maybo chaired the project group behind the guide. Also involved are the BII, Mark Seymour of Spirit Group who is representing pub and bar operators, the SIA, Skills for Security, the Bar, Entertainment and Dance Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers and security companies supplying door supervisors to the licensed trade..
"We are not describing techniques as such but outlining what employers and operators need to consider and what kind of training they should offer," explains Bill.
"The situation at the moment is that door supervisors use physical force in their job but there has never been any guidance or standards in the training or use of these skills. They tend to pick them up either from martial arts or from the street and people are getting hurt as a result.
"Even where employers have done their own training for doorstaff it's not been to any set standard, and they are beginning to recognise they could face serious litigation if anything goes wrong."
Although it is targeted chiefly at doorstaff, the guidance also addresses "support roles" and the need for pub staff to defend themselves in a violent situation.
"There are really two levels of physical intervention," says Bill. "There are the skills needed by doorstaff to restrain and eject people, but there are also defensive skills through which other staff in high risk premises need to protect themselves and disengage from violence.
"This much-needed guide encourages operators to take a broad view of reducing risk in the workplace and will help both purchasers and providers of services benchmark their policy, strategies and training."
ConflictPro ConferenceAs a mark of growing professionalism in the burgeoning conflict management industry, the first cross-sector conference for people engaged in managing potentially violent situations at work, including pub and bar operators and their doorstaff, will take place on September 28.
Lord Stevens, former Metropolitan Police Commissioner and head of the strategy advisory panel at Interpol, will kick off the ConflictPro Conference at Wokefield Park in Reading.
A day of 16 masterclass sessions will be followed by the inaugural ConflictPro Awards to honour individuals judged to have made the outstanding contribution to conflict management in each of six sectors - The Publican is official supporter of the licensed retail and hospitality sector award.
Speakers will include Mark Seymour from Spirit Group/Punch Taverns and Cathy Smith, director of the BII Awarding Body plus psychologists, lawyers and other experts.
Subjects covered include:
- Managing high risk licensed venues
- Drugs and violence
- Qualifications and training
- Using force and restraint
- Mental health
- The aftermath
- Insurance
The event will also launch ConflictPro, a new organisation aimed at developing professionalism and raising standards among workers in conflict resolution and violence management.
"The rapid growth in the conflict management training market has led to increased competition for training providers and more discerning service purchasers," explains ConflictPro business manager Mark Jenner.
"We will be there to support trainers, employers and other conflict professionals by helping them to keep up to date with developments in training and the wider industry and enable them to make sure their skills and qualifications meet both regulatory requirements and industry's needs."
For £240 delegates can choose four masterclass sessions and attend the awards dinner. For more information and to book go to www.conflictproconference.com or call 01580 881283.
