When it comes to school security, having security guards on site is often seen as an invaluable asset. For one thing, simply having a physical security presence in place at a school or college can prove useful in providing staff and pupils with a reliable first point of contact in case of an emergency.
In addition, security officers can also offer staff, pupils, and their parents with the essential peace of mind that they are safe and protected from outside vulnerabilities within their educational establishment.
When deployed in schools, security officers are available to deal with a wide range of issues that schools’ staff may not be able to handle as effectively alone: from escorting uninvited visitors off the premises and helping to deter substance abuse among pupils to traffic and parking management for functions.
Schools and colleges can also be an attractive targets for petty thieves looking for unattended equipment held on-site, therefore the impact of having a uniformed security officer as a deterrent against such offenses really cannot be ignored.
Day-to-day activities
Uniformed officers are also a natural focal point for visitors with inquiries. A security team can be useful in this respect, helping to redirect inquiries away from the busy school reception area. Allowing staff to focus on their responsibilities towards pupils’ learning and safety, while officers take care of supplementary but essential activities associated with the smooth-running of the school.
In fact, security officers often build up a positive rapport with staff and pupils; rather than being an unapproachable presence, they can interact positively with students, addressing any concerns sensitively and efficiently and helping to reinforce the essential values that a school or college is a safe and secure environment in which to learn.
Security Guarding in schools
Security guards have found their place in a wide range of educational establishments for a number of years, now. In fact, many prestige schools and colleges across York have been opting for manned security solutions to help deal with issues, such as petty theft or challenging behavior, for as long as 16 years. During this time, the role of a security officer has evolved significantly: from standard security assurance to a more holistic support presence. But it has always been regarded as an essential aspect of site protection.
Developments within the provision of security-guarding solutions in schools include traditional porter duties, now increasingly being taken on by security teams, or the increase of security-guarding provisions at particularly demanding times of the year.
Enforcing a drug-free environment
A key function of security officers is to help deter substance abuse among pupils, helping to inspire a safe environment for students to learn within. As such, another interesting aspect of security that has seen a rise in recent years is the use of sniffer dogs within schools and colleges. Many educational establishments recognize the need to take a proactive stance in order to encourage a healthy, drug-free learning environment, and sniffer dogs are seen as a beneficial way to help deter pupils from using drugs, as well as raising awareness of the dangers and enforce zero-tolerance policies.
Impressive support process
If a learner is highlighted by the dog, they are asked to leave the room and are initially spoken to by the police in private. However, this does not signal an end to the learner’s time at college, but instead means the start of an impressive support process. This approach has meant that not one learner who has accessed the drug-related support has had to leave the college. Each learner is assigned a college mentor to talk to and, if necessary, can signpost them to external agencies, such as counselling or drug support agencies.
The importance of quality
The role of the private security industry has become increasingly more important over recent years, and the BSIA works hard to raise awareness around the importance of standards of quality and professionalism.
Often, in-house security staff – those employed directly by schools rather than through a security provider – do not need to have a license in order to operate, and may not offer a reputable service.
For schools and colleges, licensed security professionals guarantee a high level of service and quality, which is very important considering the public-facing role of front-line security personnel, and the sensitivity required when dealing with students, pupils, and parents. For this reason, many people are often shocked to discover that the same licensing law that applies to contracted-out security guards does not apply to in-house security.
Therefore, not choosing a private security company could result in leaving staff, students, and visitors more vulnerable and exposed to risk. In addition, contracted security also means that you are guaranteed cover, even if an officer is absent or sick, as the school can call upon the private security firm to provide replacements and sort out any staffing issues.
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