The programme provides key knowledge and safer methods of intervention for risk situations. Employers and training providers can deliver the new programme under licence through internal trainers. Major organisations such as HMV, Showsec, Rock Steady and VSG have already adopted the programme devised by conflict management specialist Maybo.

The training increases staff knowledge of the law, key medical risks and safer methods for common activities such as ejection. It helps staff to assess situations and use alternatives to physical intervention whenever possible. Feedback shows that staff trained in the Maybo model are more confident as a result of the training and are now using physical intervention less often and with less force.

Bill Fox of Maybo said: “The SIA and ACPO endorsed guidance publication on physical intervention and case law demonstrate that where physical intervention is foreseeable staff need to be taught legitimate and safe methods. The dilemma for employers has been where to source credible, accredited training in an area of significant risk.”

The programme can be delivered to two levels. Many security guarding functions do not require physical skills and some need just the lower level skills for avoiding assault. Higher risk roles such as response teams, door supervisors and certain retail and hospital roles, where there may be a need to restrain, require the full programme. In-house courses can be arranged for groups of five or more trainers, otherwise trainers attend an open course, where they are trained to deliver the programme by one of Maybo’s specialist physical intervention tutor trainers.

The next course is being held in June at the Wembley Plaza Hotel. Successful tutors will be certificated by Skills for Security and BIIAB and the approved centre will be licensed by Maybo to deliver the Maybo SAFERwork Physical Intervention programme. Once licensed, the approved centre purchases delegate registrations from Maybo via a bespoke online management system that also provides a robust audit trail of training. Delegate registrations include comprehensive delegate workbooks, the delegate registration fee and BIIAB / Skills for Security accredited certificates. The end-user courses are between one and two days.

Fox added: “In some functions staff need training over and above that undertaken for their licence. There is now recognition of this fact and great progress with employer guidance and recognised training solutions now available.”