NASDU – the National Association of Security Dog Users – has launched the first Level 2 National Award for security dog handlers… which is something of a milestone for the security sector. This is the very first nationally-accredited qualification for security dog users which meets the new Occupational Standards, and is the first of its type to be awarded by a QCA-accredited Awarding Body.
NASDU first introduced its Basic Award ten years ago. At the time, this was one of the first nationally recognised dog handler qualifications in the UK.
The aim of the new programme is to provide the dog handler with the basic skills, knowledge and understanding required for the provision of a professional level of service as a general purpose security dog handler.
The objectives of the National Award for security dog handlers, then, are to:
The programme is the culmination of considerable work by both NASDU and ASET (itself an awarding body recognised by the Security Industry Authority). ASET also offers other security sector programmes, including the Level 2 Certificate for Security Officers and a Level 3 Certificate dedicated to Key Holding and Alarm Response functions.
Following the successful launch of the Level 2 Award, NASDU will be developing an Advanced General Purpose Dog Handlers Award together with specialist awards for Detection Dog Handlers.
National Occupational Standards
The programme is ‘mapped’ to the National Occupational Standards for security dog handlers, themselves developed by the Security Industry Dog Consultation/Expert Group (on which NASDU and its educational partner, BIPDT, were represented). This enables all learners to be sure that the certificate they receive on completion will indeed be nationally recognised and accredited.
The course itself comprises a 50-hour guided learning programme for which the educational outcomes are assessed by way of both practical exercises and a multiple choice question paper. There are three units involved in the programme, as follows:
Unit 1: Roles and responsibilities of a general purpose security dog handler
Unit 2: Control of a general purpose security dog under operational conditions
Unit 3: Maintaining the health, well-being and safety of a general purpose security dog and handler.
Ideal for existing handlers
The educational programme is ideal for those learners who already have hands-on experience as security, police or prison service officers, and who now wish to become general purpose security dog handlers.
Existing security dog handlers can apply for previous training programmes – such as the NASDU Basic Handler programme – to be taken into consideration in terms of accreditation of prior learning. This will reduce the amount of time required to achieve this award. It would also be suitable for members of the Armed Forces who wish to take on a general purpose security dog handling role.
Successful learners could then progress to become mobile patrol security officers/supervisors, detection dog handlers and – ultimately – security dog handler trainers in their own right.
