Security training
The Highfield Level 3 Close Protection course: everything you need to apply for your SIA Close Protection licence.
- Level
- Level 3
- Awarding body
- Duration
- 20 to 25 days
- From, inc. VAT
- £2,880(£2,400 + VAT)
- Next date
- 1 to 26 Mar 2027
The film
See the training
The film has music and no speech. It opens and closes on the BPS crest. Its titles read: Barham Protection Services; private security; specialist protection for high net worth and high profile individuals; immersive courses in security driving, medical skillsets, behavioural detection and close protection. Between them it shows teams working vehicles, walking formations and staged incidents in London.
About the course
SIA Close Protection Operative Training
An immersive, intensive course that prepares you to apply for an SIA Close Protection licence, and to work to a standard beyond the licensing requirements.
All learners need a Level 3 medical qualification to begin. If you already hold one, get in touch to check it is suitable; otherwise book the close protection and FREC3 package.
- Qualification
- Highfield Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry
- Location
- BPS HQ, Maidstone, Kent
ELCAS funding can be used for this course (Centre Number 14830).
Barham Protection Services Ltd is an ELCAS Approved Learning Provider. Centre Number 14830.
Barham Protection Services Ltd is a Blue Light Card partner.
Blue Light Card holders get 10% off any course: email training@bps-ltd.org with a picture of your Blue Light Card to receive your discount code.
*Blue Light Card discounts and ELCAS funding cannot be used together.
Who it is for
- Anyone making a complete career change into close protection.
- Those already working in security who want to step up to close protection.
- Anyone who wants training that goes beyond the licensing requirements, not just a licence.
“A highly professional course that prepares you properly for operational environments.”
What you achieve
Five qualifications you leave with
By the end of the course you walk away with five industry-recognised qualifications.
Highfield Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives in the Private Security Industry
The qualification required to apply for your SIA Close Protection licence.
Qualsafe Level 3 First Response Emergency Care (FREC3)
A Level 3 medical qualification that exceeds SIA requirements, and is essential for deployment on most close protection tasks with leading security companies.
With the close protection and FREC3 package
Highfield Level 2 Behavioural Detection Awareness (BDA)
Recognising behavioural patterns, identifying potential threats and building situational awareness.
Advanced Search Awareness Certificate
Conducting professional and effective searches in a variety of operational scenarios.
Convoy, Evasive and Defensive (CED) Driving Certificate
Advanced driving techniques for safe and secure transport, including in high-pressure or hostile environments.
The syllabus
What the course covers
The topics required for your SIA Close Protection licence, with key subjects taken in greater depth than the awarding bodies require, plus additional training in behavioural detection, driving and search.
Principles of working as a Close Protection Operative
The fundamental roles, responsibilities and requirements of a close protection operative in the private security industry.
Working as a Close Protection Operative
The practical skills for planning and running close protection operations.
Conflict management
How to manage conflict situations professionally and safely.
Terror threat awareness
Understanding terror threats and how to reduce the risk during operations.
Door supervision for close protection
Where the door supervisor's role and the close protection role overlap.
Physical intervention
Safe and effective physical intervention techniques, and applying them in high-pressure scenarios.
Behavioural detection
A condensed Level 2 version of our Level 3 Highfield BDO course: the essentials of behavioural detection and how to apply them in close protection.
Convoy, evasive and defensive driving
Learn to be an effective passenger and an effective protection driver, taught from the syllabus of our CED Driving Course.
Advanced search awareness
Alongside the search phase the SIA requires, inputs far beyond the standard syllabus from former police Licensed Search Operatives.
Close protection and FREC3
How the package runs
1 to 26 March 2027. All learners need a Level 3 medical qualification to begin close protection training, so in the package the medical course comes first.
- Part 1First Response Emergency Care (FREC3)1 to 5 March 2027
- Part 2SIA Close Protection (CPO)6 to 26 March 2027
On the course
How the days run
- Every day starts at BPS HQ in Maidstone, Kent.
- Deployments during the course take you all over the South East and into central London.
- Taking part in the live deployments is compulsory, and one or more of them are assessed.
- Specialist days on behavioural detection, CED driving and advanced search.
- A dedicated rest and recovery day is built into the programme.
Your instructors
Who teaches it
Trainers who bring real-world operational experience. The specialist sections are taught by people from the field they cover.
- Surveillance
- Former police surveillance and strike team operatives.
- Search
- Former police Licensed Search Operatives (LSOs).
- Driving
- Former police drivers trained in advanced anti-ambush driving.
- Tactics, vehicle drills, foot formations, recces and advance work
- People who have served in close protection roles in the Royal Military Police (RMP) or Home Office police forces, mainly with Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP).
In pictures
On exercise
The course on a live exercise in London's West End. Every picture is a training scenario. Press a picture to see it in full.
Mentorship
After the course
The BPS mentorship scheme: we will not send you into the industry unguided.
- Help writing your CV.
- Help with your LinkedIn profile.
- Inclusion in close protection work groups.
- Introductions to other reputable operational companies to deploy with.
Where it runs
Getting here and where to stay
Getting here
- Maidstone West station is a minute's walk away, Maidstone Barracks four minutes and Maidstone East ten.
- All three are on the Southeastern service, with the High Speed from London St Pancras and regular trains via London Victoria, Blackfriars, London Bridge and Charing Cross.
- A major bus hub is next to the training centre: search Rocky Hill or Buckland Road on the Arriva website for your route.
- Free parking on site, with coffee shops, restaurants and shops a stone's throw away.
Where to stay
- A Travelodge less than a minute's walk from the classroom, usually around £30 a night.
- A Premier Inn two minutes away.
- Over 20 options within five miles of the training centre on booking.com.
Accommodation is not included in the course price. Budget for travel to and from the venue, accommodation if you need it, and daily lunch and snacks.
Google reviews
In our delegates' words
“I recently completed the Level 3 Highfield Close Protection course with BPS and it was excellent. The use of realistic operational scenarios under genuine pressure really set this course apart, you’re not just taught the theory, you’re tested in environments that reflect real-world demands in a range of scenarios from Surveillance, close protection, behaviour detection and vehicle convoys. The directing team were highly knowledgeable with additional guest speakers, calm under pressure and clearly experienced in the field. Their standards were high, but the guidance and feedback throughout helped push everyone to perform at their best. What really stood out was the teamwork element. The course builds strong cohesion quickly, and every scenario reinforced the importance of clear communication, discipline and supporting each other under stress. A highly professional course that prepares you properly for operational environments. Strongly recommended for anyone serious about close protection.”
“Completed the level 3 CP course with BPS. Brett and Carla’s methods of teaching are faultless. Brett's passion for close protection is infectious. Carla’s love for medical training is inspiring. Combining police experience with military high stress training scenarios. I highly Recommend BPS to anyone looking to get into the CP circuit or for any Medical training. I will be attending future courses with BPS to help build my qualifications in the industry.”
“I recently attended the CPO course with Barham Protection Services (BPS). What an amazing course that was! Thanks to all the trainers and organisers behind the scenes! This experience was another level, we’ve come out so strong and confident into this new industry, and felt part of a FAMILY while delivering high standards training. … Thanks again and can’t wait to work with you again!”
Questions
Questions delegates ask
Anything else, call 0330 043 8443 or read the booking terms.
Do I need a medical qualification before I start?
Yes. All learners need a Level 3 medical qualification to begin the close protection course. If you already hold one, get in touch so we can check it is suitable. If not, book the close protection and FREC3 package, where the medical course comes first.
Which of the two options should I book?
Close protection and FREC3 includes the Qualsafe Level 3 medical course before the close protection course. Close protection only is for those who already hold an in-date Level 3 medical qualification; call us to confirm yours is valid. Both prices are in the booking panel.
Does this qualify me for an SIA Close Protection licence?
The course leads to the Highfield Level 3 Certificate for Close Protection Operatives, the qualification required to apply for your SIA Close Protection licence. You apply to the SIA for the licence after the course.
How much of it is outside the classroom?
Every day starts at BPS HQ in Maidstone, and deployments during the course take you all over the South East and into central London. Taking part in the live deployments is compulsory, and one or more of them are assessed.
Is accommodation included?
No. There is a Travelodge less than a minute's walk from the classroom, a Premier Inn two minutes away and over 20 options within five miles on booking.com. Budget for travel and daily lunch and snacks too.
What if I cannot attend the dates I booked?
Tell us as early as you can. Up to 14 days before the first day of the course you can move to another date of the same course free, or cancel and have 50% of the price back. Within 14 days of the course, or if you do not attend, there is no refund and no transfer. If you booked as a consumer you also have 14 days from booking to cancel in full, up to the start of the course. The full terms are in our course booking terms.
What happens after the course?
Our mentorship scheme helps with your CV and LinkedIn profile, includes you in close protection work groups and introduces you to other reputable operational companies to deploy with.
I am new to security. Is this course for me?
For some people this course is a complete career change; for others it is a step up. We know it is a big decision, so call us to talk it through before you book.
SIA Close Protection Operative Training
- Next date
- 1 to 26 Mar 2027
- From, inc. VAT
- £2,880(£2,400 + VAT)
Operations & training teams
Ask about this course
Clients can reach our teams 24/7, 365 days a year, through our 24 hour operations phones. Every enquiry is handled with discretion. Alternatively, make a secure enquiry online.