Door supervisors (who are also commonly known as bouncers) are licenced security guard that usually works in premises that serve alcohol such as pubs, clubs, restaurants, and bars, and events such as concerts and festivals. But what does a door supervisor do? In this article, we will provide an in-depth look on what are main roles of a door supervisor.
What Is The Role Of A Door Supervisor?
The main responsibility of a door supervisor is to keep everyone at the venues safe – whether that be staff or customers. They work hard to decide who will be allowed access to the venue, ensure everyone’s safety during the event and detain or evict anyone who is causing a danger to themselves or others.
An SIA door supervisor is commonly employed by businesses through a security company. Generally, the company provides multiple door supervisors that work together as a team to protect the company.
What Can A Door Supervisor Do?
Door supervisors have a number of different responsibilities within their role, but their main goal is to ensure the security and the safety of both staff and customers at licenced venues or events such as festivals or concerts.
Mainly, door supervisors man the entrances and exits of the area. They are in control of who is allowed to enter and can refuse entry to anyone they believe would put the business at harm. They gauge suitability based on a number of factors, including searching them to check for weapons or harmful substances, such as drugs. They may check a customer’s ID to check they are of age or see if their outfit matches the dress code of the venue.
What Are The Duties Of A Door Supervisor?
Below we have listed some duties that door supervisors may have.
They also have other duties that may include:
- Collecting tickets for ticketed events.
- Escorting individuals out of the venue or event if they are not behaving responsibly.
- Reacting to emergencies such as fires and controlling the situation.
- Delivering first aid if staff or members of the public are hurt.
- Recording details of events to then report to law enforcement if necessary.
Can A Door Supervisor Arrest Someone?
Absolutely! Door supervisors can arrest people in the U.K., but this is only a citizen’s arrest. In fact, anyone can make a citizen’s arrest, whether they hold a door supervisor SIA licence or not. This power is given to every citizen through the Criminal Law Act of 1967. This act gives any citizen the power to use “such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting (or assisting in) the lawful arrest of offenders, suspected offenders or persons unlawfully at large.”
To summarise, the law means that door supervisors (and others) are allowed to use force to stop a crime being committed, for example, breaking up an argument or fight. If a crime has been committed, they can detain someone before handing them over to law enforcement when they arrive.
Are Door Staff Legal Requirements?
While there is no legal requirement for licenced premises to have a door supervisor, most do as it helps protect their business. There are, however, legal requirements for door supervisors. In order to become a door supervisor, you will need to obtain a recognised qualification in door supervision, be at least 18 years old and pass an identity and criminal record check. The door supervisor qualification includes obtaining an SIA licence. Obtaining this licence occurs when an individual passes an exam and practical assessment. The fee for this application is £190, and the process can take up to 6 weeks.
What Is The Difference Between Door Supervisor And Security Guard?
While these two roles are similar, there are some key differences. A door supervisor’s main responsibility is to maintain the security of a venue by screening the people entering or exiting a licenced premises, as well as dealing with any conflicts that may arise here. Licenced premises include nightclubs and pubs. Generally, in these locations, patrons will be under the influence of alcohol, and therefore, incidents are more likely to happen. Door supervisors, therefore, require additional training on interventions and alcohol licencing, as well as drug awareness courses. This will ensure that they can effectively protect the business.
On the other hand, security guards are in charge of security on premises that are non-licensed such as offices, construction sites, and retail outlets. They do require training, however, they will not need as specialised courses.
How Many Door Supervisors Do I Need?
There is no single answer to this question as it depends on a number of different factors such as the size of your premises and the number of visitors you expect to attend. A full risk assessment will be required in order to work out how many door supervisors are for each venue.
As a general rule, it is recommended that you employ two-door supervisors for each entrance – this also includes emergency exits. Additionally, having more door supervisors patrolling inside is beneficial. This could be one extra supervisor when your venue is quiet, or between 4 and 5 if it is extremely busy or in a larger venue.
Interested in staying up to date with all the latest door supervision news? Head to our news page where you can find articles about how to become a door supervisor.
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