What Are The Differences Between Door Supervisors And Security Guards?

Written by Holly Savage

23rd June 2022

When thinking of security roles door supervisors and security guards are often thought of together, but they are actually quite different. But what are the differences between door supervisors and security guards? We’ll be discussing this and more, such as whether a door supervisor is better than a security guard, and if a door supervisor can work as a security guard.

The Responsibilities Of A Door Supervisor Compared To A Security Guard

Door supervisors are responsible for the safety of staff and customers at licenced venues such as clubs, festivals, concerts, and bars. And due to the increase in crimes within nightclubs, it’s essential to have them in place. According to a BirminghamLive study, nearly 2,000 crmimes were reportedly committed in or around Birmingham nightclubs in the year to July 2019.

To criminals entering nightclubs, door supervisors will often stand guard at the entrance and exits of clubs and will be in charge of who is allowed to enter. Door supervisors will conduct bag searches and check people’s IDs while they are entering. And they are allowed to refuse entry to anyone who they believe has the intention to cause harm.

Door supervisors will also take on other responsibilities such as administering first aid, escorting individuals from the premises, and repeating details of events to law enforcement when needed.

The Responsibilities Of A Security Guard Compared To A Door Supervisor

While security guards will often be responsible for protecting many different types of businesses. Guards have been known to protect construction sites, warehouses, retail outlets, offices and many other commercial-type buildings. Some of the different ways that guards do this are:

  • By patrolling the site.
  • By observing camera footage.
  • By responding to potential threats.
  • By guarding specific areas.
  • By conducting security checks.
  • By controlling access to the site.
  • By keeping detailed reports.

Security guards will be responsible for ensuring the safety of a business building and any staff members who are working there. Guards will also have additional responsibilities such as administering first aid, providing good customer service, and writing security incident reports.

What Are The Differences Between Door Supervisors And Security Guards

Can A Door Supervisor Work As A Security Guard?

Yes, a door supervisor will be allowed to work and act as a security guard. This is because door supervisors’ training does slightly overlap with a security guard’s training. But although their training overlaps slightly, a security guard can’t work as a door supervisor.

The Differences Between Door Supervisors And Security Guards

Although many people consider a door supervisor and security guard to be quite similar due to their main duty of protecting a business, they are actually quite different.

The first difference between the two is where they work. Door supervisors will work on premises that are licenced to serve alcohol such as pubs and clubs. While security guards tend to work on properties that don’t serve alcohol and that are non-licenced such as construction sites, retail stores and office buildings.

Another key difference between the two is the type of security licence that they will need. Both a door supervisor and security guard will need a licence that has been approved by the SIA. They will both need to have a first aid qualification before applying for their security licence.

People who work in door supervision will require an SIA door supervisor licence, and this typically costs around £184. While security officers will need to have an SIA security guarding licence, and this normally costs around £184. Both security licences will be valid for 3 years.

what is the difference between security guard and door supervisor

Why Do We Need Door Supervisors?

Having door supervisors in place at your business is one of the most effective ways to protect your premises when serving alcohol. We’ve listed some of the benefits of having door supervisors protect your business.

1. Uphold Standards

If your company wishes to uphold certain standards, hiring door supervisors is a great way to do this. For example, if your business requires a dress code or wishes to keep out any hen or stag do’s, supervisors will make sure to stick to these requirements when allowing individuals to enter the premises.

2. Make Sure Unsafe Items Stay Out of the Premises

With the rise of knife crime and needle spiking, it is highly important that unsafe items are not allowed to enter the building. This will put both customers and the business at risk of harm and can be prevented by having bags searched at the door.

3. Control Anti-Social Behaviour

People are usually less likely to engage in anti-social behaviour when in the presence of security due to the fear of being caught. However, if this behaviour does still occur then door supervisors have the right training to control and diffuse the situation.

4. Avoid Legal Issues

In the event of an incident happening on your premises, it can come with great costs such as bad publicity and the possibility of losing your licence which will put the business at risk. Door supervisors can prevent this from happening and also give a good impression of the safety of your business.

5. Customers Will Feel Safe

One of the most important benefits of door supervisors is that they will make your customers feel safe. Customers will be able to enjoy spending their time at your business with the knowledge that security is keeping them safe and is there if needed.

Door supervisor vs security guard

Why Do We Need Security Guards?

Security guards as well have many benefits such as being an ideal deterrent against potential criminals. We’ve listed some of the advantages of hiring security guards.

1. Prevent Crimes

Security officers immediately reduce crime with their presence alone. This is because the opportunity to commit a crime and not get caught has been taken away. However, if someone decides to take the risk of entering the site, then security will immediately stop and question them.

2. Quick Response Time

When a crime is being committed, every second will count. If security officers are on-site, they can immediately respond to the crime and stop it before anything major occurs. They will continue to take control of the situation until the police arrive to take over.

3. Reduce Stress

With the knowledge that security officers are monitoring and protecting your site, you will be able to relax and be stress-free when away from the site. You are also able to rest assured knowing the security on-site is well-trained to handle any potential threats in your absence.

4. Customer Service

Security guards often build relationships with those on-site and ensuring good customer service comes hand in hand with keeping them safe. It’s possible that the guards may be a customer’s first impression of the business, so they are trained to greet customers and offer any help if necessary.

5. Handle Crimes

Security officers are familiar with law enforcement protocols and can communicate with each department. However, in the absence of emergency response, they will remain in control of any situation and keep a detailed report to inform the police of the exact events that took place.

difference between door supervisor and security guards

Is A Door Supervisor Higher Than A Security Guard?

Because door supervisors can act as security guards while guards can’t work as door supervisors, it makes many people wonder if door supervision is a higher position within the security industry. But this isn’t true, door supervisors aren’t higher than security guards. Both positions are well-known security jobs, and they have both proved to be excellent security measures for businesses to use against potential criminals.

Door Supervisor Vs Security Guard: Which Is Better

A lot of people wonder whether it’s better to hire door supervisors or security guards, and it will often depend on the type of business you have. If your business is licenced and can serve alcohol, then it would be more beneficial for you to hire a door supervisor to protect your premises. While, if your business is a non-licenced property such as a factory, security guards would be the better security option.

security guard vs door supervisor

So, What Are the Differences Between Door Supervisors and Security Guards?

So, the overall main difference between the two is the areas that they work in. Door supervisors will tend to work in licenced premises such as pubs and nightclubs, while security officers will work in non-licenced premises that won’t serve alcohol.

If you would like to stay up to date with the latest security guard and door supervision news, why not check out our blog? Where you can find articles about becoming a security guard and what door supervisors really do.

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