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A Guide to Door Supervisors

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working the doors
A Guide to Door Supervisors

Do door staff have to wear a badge

All door staff must wear a photo ID badge that is easily recognisable at all times. The company name and the wearer's job title should be clearly visible on the front of the badge. On the reverse, there should be a statement confirming that, as a door supervisor, their primary duty is to protect property and people from harm.

What should a door supervisor wear

Door supervisors should try to be inconspicuous. They should dress in plain clothes and not wear items such as hats or hoods which could obstruct their vision. Door supervisors should also try to wear highly visible items of clothing - such as coats with reflective strips on the back or bottom, this is best for outdoors, but might hinder them inside a dark or crowded venue.

What equipment is a door supervisor allowed to carry?

A licensed door supervisor must carry their photo ID at all times and where necessary, their SIA licence. Only in certain specific circumstances can they use physical force, de-escalation is a prefered method to communicate with another person. The only items that a door supervisor is legally allowed to carry are two way radios to communicate with other door supervisors/police officers and security guards, stab proof vests (provided by the employer), a hi-visibility jacket and a SIA licence hat clearly states that the person is a licensed door supervisor card and an armband holder showing the licence.

Do door staff need to wear body cameras when on duty

It is not compulsory for door supervisors to wear body cameras when on duty. However, SIA policy says: "If you are in possession of equipment (such as CCTV) which is capable of monitoring the activities of your customers and/or members of the public, it is good practice to do so"

What powers do door supervisors have

A door supervisor can use reasonable force. However, the degree of force used must be "proportionate" given the circumstances known to the door supervisor at the time. The use of force must be discontinued as soon as it becomes apparent that the goal has been achieved.

A door supervisor should always try to resolve a situation without recourse to physical force, if possible. If there is no other option available, the door supervisor should always observe the guidelines .

Do door staff need a licence

Anyone performing "regulated work" must be either licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) or exempted from licensing. This applies to bouncers, who are sometimes referred to as 'door supervisors'.

What is Door Work like

The amount that bouncers are paid varies between employers. Many door supervisors work part-time in addition to other employment. However, working late nights and weekends can often be unsociable which is why many individuals prefer not to take on this type of work full time. Employers usually pay a basic hourly rate which can vary depending on the sector. 

Is door supervisor better than security guard?

At first glance, a door supervisor and security guard may look like one and the same; after all, they both wear similar uniforms and hold broadly similar responsibilities. However, there are subtle differences between the two roles:

A security guard, for instance, is likely to be employed by a large business which has the resources to employ individuals who are licensed. Security guards work in more traditional roles, such as ensuring that doors leading into commercial premises or industrial units are kept secure.

By contrast, A door supervisor is likely to be employed by smaller businesses which struggle to afford higher wages for employees who are licensed. Door supervisors work on the doors of pubs, bars and nightclubs - often late at night or at weekends when venues are busy.

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