Guide
Whether your party needs SIA licensed door supervisors depends on the venue, the alcohol licence, who employs the staff and what they will do.
Paid security at a party in Scotland usually needs an SIA licence, and which licence depends on the venue, the alcohol licence and the tasks involved. On Guard Security Solutions, a Scottish event and site security company, explains when door supervisors need a licence, when a security guard licence applies instead, and which tasks need no licence. It is for anyone booking security for a private party, function or celebration.
If you pay a security company to guard a party, its staff will need an SIA licence. The question is which one.
The rest of this guide explains where each rule comes from. This is general information, not legal advice. If you are still unsure, GOV.UK guidance recommends taking independent legal advice.
GOV.UK guidance says you need a door supervisor licence if you guard licensed premises "against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour" while the premises are open to the public and alcohol is being supplied or licensed entertainment is taking place.
Door supervision is one of the activities that needs a licence whether the person works in-house or under a contract. GOV.UK says most in-house staff do not need a licence, but door supervision at licensed premises is an exception. A venue's own staff working the door need a licence too.
The Private Security Industry Act 2001 has its own Scottish definitions. In Scotland, licensed premises for door supervision include:
This matters for parties. A hotel function suite, a bar or a club with a premises licence is licensed premises. So is an unlicensed hall or marquee once an occasional licence is in place for a bar.
A private party can still count as "open to the public" under the Act. It says premises are open to the public at times when they are open to a section of the public, including people who qualify as members of a club, association or group, or who meet a particular description or condition.
A private function at a licensed venue can therefore fall within the door supervision rules. Venues also set their own conditions. If the venue or its licence requires door staff, the staff need door supervisor licences. Ask the venue what its licence and policies require before you book.
If there is no premises licence, no occasional licence and no public entertainment licence, the door supervisor rules do not apply. The security guard rules can still apply.
GOV.UK says a security guard licence is needed to guard premises or property "against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour" under a contract for services. A contract for services is where a company supplies its staff to someone else. A security company providing guards for a party at your home is a contract for services, so its staff need at least a security guard licence.
If guests will pay at a cash bar, check with your council whether an occasional licence is needed. Once one is in place, the venue becomes licensed premises while alcohol is sold.
GOV.UK guidance on events draws the line by activity:
Refusing entry to uninvited guests and removing someone who is causing trouble are both licensable, and they are usually the reason a host books security.
Supplying unlicensed security is a criminal offence under section 5 of the Act, punishable on indictment by up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
Party security starts with the venue, its licence and what the door staff will need to do. On Guard Security provides SIA licensed door supervisors and event security for private parties, Christmas parties and functions across Edinburgh, Glasgow and the rest of Scotland. All officers hold SIA licences and each shift has a supervisor. Founder Dean Waters has more than 15 years in the security industry, including licensed premises and large events.
Get in touch with the venue, date and guest numbers, and we will learn about your event and requirements, then provide a tailored quotation and security plan. See Christmas party security in Edinburgh, Christmas party security in Glasgow, Hogmanay security in Edinburgh or event security in Edinburgh.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not professional, legal or training advice. Every site and event is different and must be planned in line with the law and the requirements of the local authority, and around the expected footfall, the location, and the local and national threat level. Always take advice specific to your site or event from a qualified security provider and the relevant authorities. On Guard Security Solutions accepts no liability for decisions made on the basis of this guide.
For help planning security for your party or function in Edinburgh, Glasgow or anywhere in Scotland, contact us today.
FAQs
Usually, if you are paying for security at a hotel or bar in Scotland. A venue with a premises licence is licensed premises while alcohol is sold or supplied, and the law's definition of open to the public covers groups admitted by condition, so the door staff need door supervisor licences.
If you hire a security company, yes. A private house without an alcohol licence is not licensed premises, but contracted staff guarding it need a security guard licence. Friends helping unpaid, with no reward of any kind, do not need one.
Yes, if they are unpaid. GOV.UK says volunteers do not need an SIA licence as long as there is an agreement that they receive no payment, reward, benefit or payment in kind. Any of those would make it paid work.
A door supervisor licence is needed to guard licensed premises such as bars, clubs and licensed function rooms. A security guard licence covers guarding other premises under a contract. A door supervisor licence also covers security guarding.
Use the GOV.UK service "Check security staff have a licence to work", which searches the SIA register of licence holders by licence number or name. Contracted officers must also display their licence while working.
Are you booking security for a party, function or Christmas night out?
Contact us on WhatsApp or email us today to receive a written quotation and security plan with SIA licensed door supervisors.
Google reviews
"Dean and his staff are always professional, reliable and well-presented at every event. They handle situations calmly and confidently, while also staying approachable and respectful to guests and staff."
"No matter the location, whether it is Larbert, Troon, Aberdeen, Livingston, Bathgate, Inverness, Shetland, Stornoway or anywhere in between, the standard of service is always professional, reliable and well organised."
"Working alongside their team is always an absolute pleasure. Their staff is highly trained, incredibly reliable, and handles event operations with the utmost composure."
"After the first day Dean pointed out a potential security risk which I was not aware of. He also came to the site several times to check if everything is ok."
"Dean and his team are professional, reliable, well-presented, and understand the fairground and attractions industry extremely well."
"Absolutely fantastic service from the team at on guard needed last minute security and they were spot on 10/10"
"Dean and his team have been excellent. Flexible, professional and clearly understand the best approach to each individual situation."
"As an SIA-certified Close Protection specialist, his strategic preparation was spot on, and the subsequent execution left nothing to be desired."
"Dean is always a great asset in the team and his staff all align with our values of delivering above and beyond service."
"We use On guard for many of our events around Scotland. There a great bunch of guys & gals with great management and knowledge of licensing and policies."
Learn about us
A Scottish event and site security company with more than 65 SIA licensed personnel, led by founder Dean Waters, who has over 15 years in the security industry. We work across Edinburgh, Glasgow, the central belt and beyond, for events, commercial sites, construction and private clients.
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Contact us
Tell us your location or locations, dates and what you need covered. We will learn about your requirements and send a written quotation and security plan, usually within 24 hours.
Or call +44 7348 955836 · dean@onguardsecurity.uk