Category: Educational Security

School Security | Child Safety | Student Protection

According to the law, it is crucial for schools, colleges, universities, and educational institutions to have a well-established policy to deal with every security-related incident. A security policy should work in conjunction with a safeguarding policy, which addresses the threat of serious violence and implements measures to protect students. Assuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of students as well as staff must be a part of these policies. In every institution, a competent person or team must be assigned to take the lead on the health, safety, and security aspects of the facility.

Learning institutions are open environments that welcome diverse people, making security a crucial aspect. For this reason, every educational institution is strongly advised to work with professional security personnel, private security companies, or local security experts.

Staff and, when necessary, students should assume personal responsibility for their own security as well as the security of others they work with or study alongside. In reality, staff and students alike are not always capable of assuming their personal security, especially in certain circumstances. With that being said, it becomes the primary responsibility of every educational centre to protect children, students, and staff from any possible threat.

Why do schools, colleges, and universities need security guards?

At Metropolitan Security Services, we assume the responsibility for school security, child safety, and student protection, as well as physically safeguarding educational facilities. As we consider every security policy of each educational institute, we work closely with the lead security members of the institute so as to guarantee student and staff safety at all times. We work together with local schools, colleges, and universities in London to provide school security guards, college security guards, and university security guards.

All our security guards are SIA licenced, certified, insured, qualified, and experienced enough to handle any security incident that might arise in schools, colleges, or universities. Making use of emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills we inspect, monitor, and control any unusual activities among students, staff, and visitors that might jeopardise the security of any party within a school, college, or university. Aside from acting as an extra set of eyes, providing consistent supervision, and being on the lookout for children, students, staff, or visitors that might compromise their own safety or the security of everyone around them, security guards serve a lot of purposes.

School, College and University Risk assessments: identifying internal and external security risks

Every staff member and student have the right to work and learn in a safe and secure environment. Although schools, colleges, and universities remain among the safest environments, we should not ignore the threat and consequences posed by vandalism, arson, burglary, anti-social behaviors, drugs, theft, bullying, or a serious incident involving a weapon. We live in a world of rapid changes, where security threats are becoming more prevalent and diverse. At Metropolitan Security Services we are tasked with considering and routinely reviewing security arrangements, policies, and plans for any institute we work with. This is to make sure every child’s, student’s, staff’s, or visitor’s safety is adequately secured.

While serious security incidents in schools and colleges remain relatively rare, we consistently carry out security and risk assessments and develop and put in place measures that are sensible and proportionate to the security threats identified. By so doing, we prioritise school security, child safety, and student protection, as well as safeguarding assets within a learning facility. Get in touch now, and consult with our learning institutions’ security experts for free. We schedule free one-on-one meetings for any London-based learning centre with our security experts. While we assist in evaluating the adequacy and appropriateness of your current security policies, we also carry out security and risk assessments and provide detailed reports on every security measure required to be in place.

Child protection and student safety in schools, colleges, and universities 

When it comes to school security, college security, and university security, child protection and student safety must be prioritised. As much as security incidents and threats vary in nature, children and students must be protected from every internal and external threat at all times. The most crucial aspect of school security, college security, and university security would be securing the learning facility first. There are quite a number of recommended options that educational facilities can make use of to enhance their child protection and student safety security measures.

1) Securing Physical Entrances And Access Points 

Having security guards at the mobile or stationed at entrance, exit, and access points of a learning facility will deter criminals and trespassers. As much as security guards will take the time to patrol the school parking areas, school grounds, classrooms, and the entire facility, this will control and reduce the risk of children and students becoming victims of external security threats. The presence of security guards monitoring and inspecting anyone visiting a learning premise and making sure only authorised people are allowed within the premise will create a safe and secure learning environment for children and students.

2) CCTV Monitoring, Video Surveillance Operators, and Alarm Responses in Schools, Colleges, and Universities

CCTVs, video surveillance, and alarm systems are among the most recommended options in schools, colleges, and universities to monitor, inspect, secure, and protect children and students within learning facilities. At Metropolitan Security Services, we always make sure every security guard consistently goes through technical training so as to enhance their abilities of working with any latest security monitoring device. Our security guards will take sole responsibility for cctv monitoring, video surveillance operations, and alarm response 24 hours a day on a daily basis in schools, colleges, and universities. Whether it’s a burglary alarm, fire alarm, emergency alarm, or any other security alert, with child safety and student protection as our top priorities, our security guards are tasked with taking control of any security incidents in schools, colleges, and universities.

 3) Key holding and the locking and unlocking of schools, colleges, and universities

For the sake of child security and student protection, it is crucial that only authorised people have access and the keys to the learning facility. Furthermore, it is strongly advised that schools, colleges, and universities work hand in hand with security guard companies like Metropolitan Security Services to strictly control who, when, and why certain individuals must be at a learning facility at certain times. On a 24-hour basis, we offer schools, colleges, and universities hassle-free key holding services as well as the locking and unlocking of educational facilities at designated times.

Get in touch now to consult with our school security experts and check out all the options we have available for child safety and student protection. 

contact us

Call Us Now

04 OctoberCommercial SecurityEducational Security

7 Security Factors to Consider for Universities, Colleges, and Schools

by Mastermind

7 Security Factors to Consider for Universities, Colleges, and Schools

Since educational institutions can host hundreds of pupils, students, and staff every day, it is necessary for every institution to have school security protocols in place to guarantee the safety and protection of everyone within the facility. Schools, colleges, and universities accommodate a diverse group of people coming from different backgrounds, cultures, and ethics, and it is possible in such environments that staff, students, or pupils can pose harm to themselves or others around them for various reasons.

Given that every educational facility’s behaviour and activity must be closely monitored, the police do not always have the manpower to ensure the safety of all students adequately in schools, colleges, and universities. It is of increasing importance that alternative school security solutions are found so that students can learn in a secure and safe environment. Most schools, colleges, and universities have seen an increase in anti-social behaviours such as gang culture, graffiti, bullying, abuse, and harassment, among other things.

Impact Of Lack Of Security

Any institution that lacks security protocols will not perform to its full potential as the quality of education is directly determined by the performance of the staff, students, or pupils. This performance is improved when everyone is accommodated in an environment where they are safe, protected, and secured.

CONSULT Us

For more than 35 years in the security industry, we have worked with multiple educational institutions. From this experience, we know how each institution may require a unique solution above and beyond the general duties carried out by school security guards. Get a free consultation with our educational security guard experts. Contact us right away! You will get a free risk and security assessment, plus a full detailed report on how best to improve performance with all the necessary security measures in place.

Professional Monitoring of Access Points

The premises must first be secured at all points of entry in order to prevent the intrusion of unauthorised visitors. The school, college, or university is able to identify every visitor by having fewer access points that are controlled by our security officers. In order to stop anyone trying to enter the institute without permission, security guards might either be stationary or mobile. They patrol the entrance points inside the buildings, grounds, and even outside the premises. Patrols can also be sent to parking lots and other places where people who are not affiliated with the educational system are likely to congregate. Since every one of our security personnel has received training in front desk and concierge responsibilities, we are able to assist with daily operations in addition to keeping people secure.

Efficacious And Amiable Educational Security Guards

You need friendly and approachable education security officers that students and staff will come to trust and rely on, in addition to safeguarding your institution from damage. In the modern world, it’s impossible to predict what situations will develop or when they will, but our security guards have what it takes to deal professionally and head-on with any threats. Even students are often to blame for acts of violence and criminal activity that result in high fines for the school, college, or university they attend. Our committed and experienced team can help ensure that unfavourable situations are handled swiftly and effectively while also being able to assist visitors, staff, students, and pupils.

Staff Concern

As a school staff member, you expect your students to be in a secure environment while they’re at school. They should be safe when on school premises, so you shouldn’t have to worry about their safety. Additionally, learning is disrupted when teachers and students don’t feel safe. Sadly, we’ve seen a rise in internal security issues within learning institutes such as theft, burglary, vandalism, abuse and harassment, and it’s worth mentioning some disputes and conflicts which might end in possible violent cases within learning environments. If your staff members are vulnerable to such insecurities, this means they cannot operate at the best of their performance. This affects the grades and the quality of education offered by your institution. Having proper security protocols in place, as well as professional educational security guards to enforce these protocols, would improve the quality and standards of education provided.

Close Monitoring Of Abuse And Harassment

Abuse and harassment come in various forms, and schools must deal with them. Both the attackers and the victims can be students or staff. We can help minimise the chances of abuse, assaults, or attacks by putting preventative measures in place. Bullying occurs frequently among students at school. In the playground, arguments and violent confrontations frequently occur. A student being bullied would never perform well in their studies as it is a stressful and upsetting moment for the guardians and parents of the student. When you utilise our security services, a trained educational security guard will be on hand to monitor the students, break up disputes, and notify the higher authorities about hostile students.

Weapons, Vandalism, Burglary, and Theft Control

If a weapon makes its way onto your campus, you want to ensure you have a trained professional equipped to handle that type of situation. For instance, a security officer would have the training and expertise necessary to attempt to disarm the attack by taking the weapon away. One of the key security threats that schools, colleges, and universities face is vandalism. Students are often the culprits during school hours. When the school is closed, vandals frequently scale the fence, destroy playground equipment, spray-paint graffiti on the walls, damage windows, and other things. Like vandalism, burglary at schools, colleges, and universities is common. Expensive electrical equipment can be targeted by criminals. Petty burglars can try to make a brief entry to explore what’s on offer. Bikes are often stolen; mobile phones, stationary, laptops, and office equipment go missing. We guarantee, with the presence of our specialised security officers, that none of these issues will concern you. We will provide security guards who are fully trained and equipped to handle such incidents professionally with as little disruption as possible.

Controlling drugs and alcohol

Drugs have become a major problem in schools, colleges, and universities. Students from a range of socio-economic backgrounds get mixed up with drugs. While others, in certain areas, are at risk from predatory county line dealers looking for vulnerable learners to manipulate. Illegal substances such as cocaine and weed are easily bought and sold without any security protocols to defend your institute from such activities and behaviours. It is very possible that your facility could suffer lifetime damage beyond repair. Unlike any other general security guard, our educational security officers receive additional training that prepares them to identify, control, and deal with anyone under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or illegal substances.

Safety Assurance

Highly skilled and experienced school security officers can respond quickly and calmly in an emergency situation by relying on their training. All Metropolitan Security Officers have received first aid training, and they can provide care to anyone who is ill or injured until emergency services arrive. Security guards can also lead students, teachers, and visitors to a safe area if the environment is unsafe. Perhaps most importantly, security officers can give parents and guardians who send their children to school peace of mind. Parents will know that their children are in a safe and secure learning environment since security guards can minimise the consequences of any incidents and keep the institution safe from intruders.

The Key Responsibilities of Educational Security Guards

To protect the security, safety, and welfare of the students and staff, they patrol the campus and its perimeter, as well as bus stops, parks, and other open areas.

Display ethical and professional behaviour in working with students, parents, school personnel, and outside agencies associated with the school, college, or university

Encourage student accountability for their behaviours and attitudes by setting an example and maintaining a professional appearance. Wear designated attire in a presentable manner during assigned work hours.

Intervene in circumstances that could lead to injury or disruption and instruct students to stop engaging in such behavior.

ensure a smooth flow of students through the hallways, assisting students with on-time arrival to class and to assigned locations.

Certainly, assist with student monitoring throughout the morning arrival and afternoon dismissal of students, as well as during the breakfast and lunch periods.

Remove disruptive students from classes when needed. Provide assistance to staff, police, and other first responders to deal with crises or disruptive situations. help visitors with directions and secure proper identification. Intercept unauthorised visitors and escort them to the exits.

Report any discipline infractions, unauthorised visitors, and acts of vandalism to the building administration. Any emergency, potentially dangerous condition, or unexpected circumstance should be reported to the building administration, police, and/or appropriate emergency authorities.

If there is any indication of substance abuse, student abuse, serious medical or social circumstances, or those who appear to be under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or anabolic steroids, security would notify the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.

Patrol and monitor assigned school campuses in appropriate school security uniforms at night, on weekends and holidays to provide security and protection to students, personnel, equipment, and property.

maintain campus security and property protection against vandalism, unauthorised entry, fire, and theft; inspect buildings and grounds for security; water leaks, malfunctioning equipment, unauthorised visitors, and fire; and perform temporary repairs on school property and equipment as needed.

Enforce laws and regulations, respond to emergencies, and make contact with anyone on the school’s property or in the surrounding area to confirm visit authorisation. As needed, detect and report fire and safety hazards; respond to fire and burglar alarms; extinguish small fires; and communicate with police and fire department personnel.

In accordance with established protocols, prevent unauthorised parking, tampering with vehicles, and loitering in school parking lots. As needed, help with traffic and crowd management at special events.

Prepare and maintain a range of documents and reports pertaining to security-related issues, occurrences, risks, and actions; keep track of time cards and officer log sheets.

Contact Us

Despite this general overview of the 7 factors to consider for educational institutes, you can consult our construction security experts for free. They can perform a free risk and security assessment for your specific business model. While they work closely to attend to your request, they will provide you with a detailed report on how best to protect your business from every possible threat and the implementation of every necessary security measure.

Call Us Now

Head Office: 0203 432 6077

Mail Us: operations@metropolitansecurity.uk

UK Threat Level

Type To Search

Type To Search

Category: Educational Security