SIA Equality and Diversity 6

Question 1

What is the role of an Equality Impact Assessment in a door supervision context?

Accepted Answer

A systematic review of policies and practices to identify whether they could disproportionately affect people with protected characteristics

Answer

An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool used to review policies, procedures, and practices to ensure they do not disproportionately disadvantage people with protected characteristics. Venues and security companies should conduct EIAs on admission policies, dress codes, and search procedures.

Question 2

Under what circumstances can a door supervisor lawfully conduct a more thorough search of a patron based on their ethnicity?

Accepted Answer

When intelligence suggests a specific threat from a person matching a detailed description including ethnicity

Answer

Targeting patrons for enhanced searches solely based on ethnicity is racial discrimination. However, if there is specific, credible intelligence about a threat from a person matching a detailed description that includes ethnicity among other identifying features, a proportionate response based on that intelligence can be lawful. The key distinction is between profiling and acting on specific intelligence.

Question 3

A deaf patron approaches the venue entrance. What reasonable adjustments should a door supervisor consider?

Accepted Answer

Face the patron directly, speak clearly, use written communication or gestures, and ensure any emergency procedures are communicated visually

Answer

Reasonable adjustments for deaf or hearing-impaired patrons include facing them directly (to aid lip reading), speaking clearly without exaggerating, using written notes or gestures, and ensuring emergency information is available visually. Refusing entry due to deafness would be disability discrimination.

Question 4

What is intersectionality and why is it relevant to door supervision?

Accepted Answer

The recognition that people can experience discrimination based on multiple overlapping protected characteristics simultaneously, creating unique and compounded disadvantage

Answer

Intersectionality recognises that a person may hold multiple protected characteristics simultaneously, and the discrimination they face may be unique to that combination. For example, a Black woman may experience discrimination that is distinct from what a white woman or a Black man might face. Door supervisors must be aware of these compounded experiences.

Question 5

A venue's management instructs door supervisors to refuse entry to anyone wearing traditional African clothing. What should the door supervisor do?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to follow the instruction as it constitutes racial discrimination, and report it to the SIA and management's senior leadership

Answer

An instruction to refuse entry based on traditional African clothing would constitute direct racial discrimination. Door supervisors have a professional and legal duty not to follow unlawful instructions. They should refuse to comply, report the instruction to senior management, and if not resolved, report to the SIA, as this could affect the venue's licence.

SIA Door Supervisor Practice Test

SIA Door Supervisor Practice Test

SIA Equality and Diversity 6