Contents
Contents
Apprenticeship summary
Overview of the role
To be an organisation’s first line of defence.
Occupation summary
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.
- Operational security operatives are responsible for ensuring the safety of others, including large groups or crowds. They identify potential security risks and act upon them to maintain safety. They are responsible for searching, scanning, screening, crowd management, conflict management, patrolling, access and egress, and emergency procedures on the ground.
- Cash and valuables in transit (CViT) operatives ensure the safe and secure transportation of cash and a wide variety of valuables, including jewellery, art and precious metals. They use specially adapted vehicles and equipment such as protective secured boxes, personal protective equipment such as CViT helmets, body armour, and communication systems to ensure the safety of the valuables they transport.
- Mobile security patrol operatives patrol, conduct property inspections, lock and unlock premises and respond to alarms. These duties are carried out across a large portfolio of clients and a wide range of locations within a geographical area using an adapted vehicle.
- Security control room operatives oversee and co-ordinate the operational response at the location they monitor, using control room equipment or through CCTV (also known as VSS or Video Surveillance Systems). They gather intelligence, disperse relevant information, monitor lone working, manage incidents and provide an interface to other protective services including the emergency services.
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.
Typical job titles include:
End-point assessment summary
ST1016, Professional security operative level 2
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
What is an end-point assessment and why it happens
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 12 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
- fail
- pass
- merit
- distinction
EPA gateway
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
- achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules
- for the professional discussion, you must submit a portfolio of evidence
- passed any other qualifications listed in the occupational standard
For the professional security operative, the qualification required is:
Emergency First Aid at Work (regulated or unregulated and conforms to Health & Safety Executive guidelines)
Assessment methods
Multiple-choice test
You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.
The test will have 40 multiple-choice questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete it.
Observation with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 2 hours. They will ask you at least 5 questions.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have a professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask you at least 8 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Who to contact for help or more information
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
Professional recognition
This apprenticeship aligns with International Foundation for Protection Officers for Member level, for those successfully completing the apprenticeship.
Please contact the professional body for more details.
This apprenticeship aligns with The Security Institute for two routes: an apprentice without prior experience in the sector can apply for membership at a Non-professional grade; and an apprentice with relevant work experience, along with industry related level 3 and above qualifications may meet the criteria for a Professional Membership grade.
Please contact the professional body for more details.
Version log
Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
---|---|---|---|
1.0 | Approved for delivery | 27/07/2023 | Not set |
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