QCA has accredited a new BTEC Award in Community Safety for Accredited Persons. The new award, at level 2 on the National Qualifications Framework, is likely to attract people working in all sorts of jobs that have some kind of community safety role, for example neighbourhood wardens, security guards, park rangers, dog wardens, housing association employees and parking attendants.

The BTEC Award in Community Safety for Accredited Persons is a 60–hour qualification consisting of three units.  It focuses on the skills a prospective accredited person will need when dealing with members of the public.

The new qualification is designed to provide education and training for those in the security and safety industry who wish to become accredited persons.  A Chief Officer of Police may confer an accredited person with limited police powers which are set out in Police Reform Act 2002, such as the ability to issue fixed penalty notices for disorder.  However, in order to accredit a person, the Chief Officer of Police must be satisfied that their employee has received adequate training to carry out their duties.  The new BTEC will ensure that an individual’s training meets these stringent requirements.

Roger Field of Edexcel, who developed the qualification, said: “This qualification is a blend of theoretical and practical learning, which will ensure that prospective accredited persons have a clear understanding of a number of key areas including: the powers that may be available to them; principles of crime reduction and problem solving; the use of communications equipment; and how to apply conflict management skills.”

One of the first providers to seek approval for the award is Training For Success whose spokesperson Ian Kirke said: “This award underpins the vital role that accredited persons play within the extended police family.  Its practical approach and flexible learning opportunities offer a significant return on investment, especially since prior SIA learning is recognised.  I welcome the pragmatic approach adopted by Edexcel and the enthusiastic approach to our blended learning solution that engages with distance learning materials thus significantly reducing the time away from the workplace.  A good example of how this solution is being used is within the London Borough of Hounslow where the Environmental Enforcement Team have adopted the Training For Success model.”

Edexcel expects that security guarding companies will show an interest in the qualification.

Sallyann Baldry, Edexcel’s National Business Manager for the Security Sector, said: “We are confident that this new BTEC will prove attractive to those guards or door staff who seek to extend their employment opportunities.  This new BTEC will also compliment existing BTEC security qualifications.”

Employers and Training Providers seeking to offer the new qualification should email employer.solutions@edexcel.org.uk

For more information on Edexcel’s work with the Security sector, click here.