Professional Bodyguard Association
in Personal Protection Services
Security, Defence & Pre-Hospital Emergency Care
take a look at our flagship courses
Through expert commentary, practical explanations and real-world examples, our audio programmes bring course content to life, making complex subjects easier to understand, more relevant and memorable. Designed to complement our training courses, “Listen and Learn” enables students to reinforce their knowledge at their own pace, whether at home, travelling or during their daily routines. This approach encourages independent learning, develops critical thinking and strengthens knowledge retention, helping students build the understanding and confidence needed to apply what they have learned in practical situations.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Temporary Suspension of SIA Licence-Linked Training Courses
The Professional Bodyguard Association (PBA) wishes to advise all prospective learners, training partners and interested parties that all SIA licence-linked training courses have been temporarily suspended until further notice. This decision has been taken pending the publication by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) of the revised training and qualification requirements for SIA licensable activities, currently expected in February 2027.
Rather than enrolling learners onto courses that may shortly be subject to changes in qualification requirements, training content or assessment standards, the PBA considers it appropriate to await official confirmation of the new requirements. Once the SIA has published the relevant details, we will review our training programmes, make any necessary adjustments and announce revised course dates.
Committed to Professional Standards in Security Training
Our SIA-approved Model for Physical Intervention gives teams a clear, lawful, and proportionate framework for preventing and managing violence. It starts with communication, building dynamic risk assessments into every decision, and—only as a last resort—sets out safer disengagement and holding skills that prioritise staff and public safety. The model aligns with licence-linked training and emphasises:
- Planning over improvisation: structured role assignment, communication protocols, and exit routes.
- Proportionality and necessity: intervene only when justified; disengage early where risk escalates.
- Post-incident learning: reporting, welfare checks, and continuous improvement.
PI is vital—but it cannot neutralise a surprise blade attack. That is why our approach integrates PI with risk-led controls and appropriate PPE where knife threats are foreseeable.
Please note: as this is a refresher qualification, the focus is on practical skills. Before any assessments, you must complete at least 2 hours of practice to develop search skills and a further 16 hours to practice and refine physical intervention skills tailored to close protection operatives.
Provided learners complete the ACT Awareness & Security eLearning and the QNUK workbook in advance, the total assessment period takes 19 hours 15 minutes over 2.5 days.
- ACT eLearning: copy and share this link with learners well before the start date so they have time to complete it: https://www.protectuk.police.uk/catalogue
- QNUK learner workbook: free to download from the Qualifications Network online shop. Learners must download it themselves (not the centre) due to security controls and IP protection. This also lets QN verify who has downloaded/completed it. https://qualifications-network.co.uk/shop/
First Aid requirement (SIA)
Training centres must confirm each learner holds a L3 First Aid at Work (full 3-day) or higher (e.g., L3 FREC or L3 FPOS (International)).
- If a learner already has First Aid, the certificate must be valid for at least 12 months from the course start date. Centres must submit a copy as evidence.
- Centres may deliver suitable First Aid qualifications alongside security training as part of a package, but all First Aid must be completed and passed before paperwork for this qualification is submitted to QN.
Practical assessments (minimum practical time)
This 3-unit refresher qualification develops practical skills beyond initial training. The SIA has set minimum practical timings:
- Principles of Working as a Door Supervisor in the Private Security Industry (Refresher)
- Application of Physical Intervention Skills in the Private Security Industry (Refresher) (Door Supervisor PI)
- Application of Physical Intervention Skills for Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry (Refresher) (CP PI)
Our motto is to “Leave Nothing to Chance!”
What you’ll walk away with
- Refreshed, validated search and safety procedures
- Updated physical intervention skills (DS & CP pathways)
- Confidence to perform safely and professionally under pressure
Course Venue and Induction: Unity Martial Arts Club, 152–154 Market Street, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 9BU
An employer’s duty of care protecting their security staff.
Recent serious assaults on security personnel highlight a basic truth: employers have a legal and moral duty to anticipate credible risks and equip their staff accordingly. In the UK, that duty rests on solid statutory and common-law foundations and translates into clear, practical requirements for any organisation deploying security personnel.
We prepare on our calmest day for our hardest day. This isn’t a luxury; it’s the baseline for duty of care. No loss of life is acceptable.
VAT Exempt – Education and Vocational Training
The Professional Bodyguard Association operates as a not-for-profit educational and vocational training provider.
Qualifying courses are exempt from VAT under Schedule 9, Group 6 of the VAT Act 1994 and HMRC VAT Notice 701/30.