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24.03.25
Compliance Reminder – NASDU Approved Trainers and Associate Company Members

As part of our ongoing commitment to industry standards, public safety, and professional integrity, we are issuing this compliance reminder regarding breed suitability in detection dog training and the responsibilities of those using the NASDU name and logo.

While we recognise that other agencies—including NCTAS-P (Home Office & Police-led pathways)—may apply different standards, we remind all NASDU Approved Trainers, and Associate Companies that:

As per the NASDU Trainers Code of Practice (2022), Section 7.2, and

In alignment with BS 8517-2: The Use of Detection Dogs – Code of Practice,

> “Guarding breeds should be considered not suitable for training as Detection Dogs due to public, client, and media perception.”

“Dogs previously schooled in aggression should not be considered suitable for training as a Detection Dog.”

Expectations for NASDU Approved Trainers and Associate Company Members

✅ Trainers must ensure that no dogs previously schooled in aggression or protection work are being trained or deployed for detection purposes.

✅ Trainers should not be supporting the training of guarding-type breeds for detection work within the UK.

✅ We acknowledge that guarding breeds may be used for detection work in some international settings. However, this communication refers specifically to standards within the UK.

NASDU Logo – Compliance Expectations for Approved Trainers & Associate Company Members.

NASDU Trainers, and Associate Companies benefit from using the NASDU logo, which provides credibility and commercial advantage. However, the use of the NASDU name and logo comes with an obligation to adhere to NASDU’s Code of Practice and BS 8517 standards.

To safeguard against misuse, we remind all those using the NASDU logo that:

The deployment of non-BS 8517 compliant breeds while using the NASDU logo is not acceptable.

Using the NASDU name while disregarding these standards risks damaging NASDU’s credibility and the reputation of compliant members.

NASDU trainers an companies found operating outside of these standards may face a formal review of their membership or approval status.

This communication is a proactive measure to ensure continued compliance and professionalism across all NASDU Approved Trainers and Associate company members.

We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to maintaining the integrity of NASDU and the wider industry.

Kind regards,

NASDU Management Committee

Brucella Canis is a rare type of bacteria that can cause an incurable infection in dogs. In the UK, infections with Brucella canis are extremely uncommon. The small number of dogs that have been infected are usually imported dogs

If your dog tests positive for Brucella canis then, by law, the Animal and Plant Health Agency must be contacted and told about your dog’s infection.

Whilst it is uncommon the incidents of confirmed cases has risen and the reason for concern is that it is transferable from dogs to humans.

In the UK, most of the recently reported cases were from dogs that were rescued from eastern Europe, particularly Romania.

The highest risk to humans is contact with an infected dog that’s given birth or had a miscarriage. It is however possible but unlikely that it can also be transferred in urine and saliva.

Humans are usually affected by Brucella canis in a different way than dogs and effects are often non-specific and less severe. Symptoms often start within three to four weeks of exposure (sometimes as early as one week and sometimes as late as six months). E

ffects can include:

Fever
Not seeming hungry
Weight loss
Sweating
Headaches
Tiredness
Back and joint pain If you’ve been in contact with an infected dog and are concerned that you have been infected, speak to your GP for advice.

We would advise that if you import or have an imported dog or are involved with breeding especially imported dogs you carry out further research using the links below.

Brucella canis: what animal owners need to know | British Veterinary Association (bva.co.uk)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/brucella-canis-information-for-the-public-and-dog-owners/brucella-canis-information-for-the-public-and-dog-owners

Brucella canis in dogs | The Kennel Club

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NASDU Meeting with NCTAS-P group.

Historically since the initial steering group of NCTAS-P in 2018 NASDU has had limited contact

with the group due to being a Association and not a “deployer” of Explosive Detection Dogs.

Over recent months this has been reviewed by the new NCTAS-P group within HMG and it was decided more dialog and mutual discussion would benefit both parties.

To this end, on Tuesday 6th February 2024 representatives of the NASDU Committee were invited to HMG offices in London to discuss potential ways of collectively moving forward and forging a relationship where NASDU can advise HMG on our membership and how industry can become more aligned.

Further detail will be communicated as the relationship grows.”

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Committee Meeting 07^th February 2024

A meeting of the NASDU management committee took place at Luton Hoo and it was decided to implement two major changes within our association.

MEMBERSHIP

Firstly, all NASDU certification will soon automatically attract team membership of the association. This will mean all handlers that achieve NASDU initial or annual certification in any discipline will automatically become NASDU team members for the duration of that certification.

We have decided to do this for several reasons.

For those who are handlers and renew their individual membership every year it will make life easier as they will automatically renew with the annual team assessment.

The price of annual team certification needs to rise, and this will give added value to that increased cost as membership will be included. It should be noted that the price of annual certification has been £20+VAT for many years now.

The price will rise to £25 +VAT and we intend that this will not increase for the foreseeable future. This will actually mean that a Handler with 1 dog certificated that is also an individual member will only pay NASDU £30 for annual certification and membership rather than a combined cost off £45 for membership and certification each year.

At present a team certificate is like a car MOT and states that on a certain date the team was compliant with NASDU requirements and meets the standard set by BS 8517 part 1 or 2.

As such it is very difficult for us to remove that certification afterwards if an issue is raised with a particular handler. In several cases of gross misconduct or negligence in the past we have stated that a handler can not be re certified or removed their name from our website but officially their certification continues to be valid for the dates specified.

By combining the membership and certification anyone achieving certification with us is agreeing to be a member and follow our codes of practice and code of conduct. In future if a serious issue arises with a handler, we will be able to cancel their membership therefore making their certification as a team invalid.

Lastly many handlers believe they are members if they hold a team certificate and many mean to re-apply after their initial free membership expires but life gets in the way, and they forget or put it off. This means our membership numbers vary throughout the year and when dealing with organisations such as the Government it is helpful if we can say we have a membership that is this big as it helps them understand they are dealing with a well-supported association.

Free membership will also be issued to all handlers taking initial course, but trainers must ensure that individual membership forms are completed with student registration forms from now on or we won’t be able to issue team certification.

Individual membership will still be available for the many people who still would like to support and be members of the association (at the same cost £25 inc VAT) without being an operational team and we thank them for this.

We are planning to introduce this change from the beginning of March but will publish the change date asap.

EDD22 end point assessments and annual assessment

The committee has decided to implement the changes put forward regarding the end point assessment for initial courses and annual certification for Explosive detection dog teams. This will ensure we are adopting best practice with our assessments and bringing them in line as far as possible with those carried out in the public sector.

The new assessment criteria were sent out to all our trainers for consultation just before Christmas and resent just after Christmas and we are going to make a couple of tweaks following the feedback we received.

As far as handlers are concerned there are two main changes.

Firstly, the assessment will be over two days however many of you are already doing this as the present assessment is usually too much to complete in one day.

We understand that many of you are very busy and finding two days together may be difficult, so the assessment days must be completed within thirty days of each other. To keep costs down NASDU will accept these days being counted as monthly training days(employers/ clients may not and could ask for them to be done as extra days) .

Secondly, the assessment must be done by an independent assessor which has always been the case for initial assessments but not annual certification. However, some trainers are already using independent assessors for annual certification as it is seen to be best practice.

Handlers will still be required to have a regular trainer as it will be the trainer who will be required to sign the team off as ready for assessment, organising the certification and ensuring the team is BS8517 compliant.

The teams should not need retraining to complete these assessments as there are no new skills involved for dogs and handlers just a more robust and organised system of assessing with most of the changes having to be implemented by the trainers.

It is important that we make these changes so we can continue to show that we use best practice when validating our teams and can adapt to meet changing sector requirements.

We are hoping to publish the final draught of the assessment before the end of March at which time we shall publish the changeover date.

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Snake Bite

We received the following email from one of our member companies and as asked have decided to pass the information on to our members.

Over the last 48hrs we have had one of our dogs bitten by a Adder resulting in death in this instance.

After speaking with our vets they have had x5 instances of snakes biting dogs in the last month.

I wasn’t aware of how common this is becoming if it is worth sharing something with the members?

please see below the email i have sent to all our handlers and the attached leaflet provided by our vet as she said not all inner-city vets will have encountered this. I have sent the following information to all our company dog handlers.

In the last 48hrs we have had a dog bitten by what is believed to be a Adder.

Unfortunately, in this instance it has proven fatal.

Whilst most dogs can combat the venom in this instance the dog bitten was one of the minority that had an adverse effect which resulted in the tragic outcome.

I was not aware of the numbers of Adders in the south of England and the growing issues with them biting dogs. (Adders are found throughout the United Kingdom apart from NI and prefer woodland, heathland and moorland Male adders usually have silvery-grey colouration, while females can be copper or brown. Both have a distinctive, black zig-zag pattern along their backs. Fully black adders can be seen in some areas too).

The advice is that should you believe your dog has been bitten by an Adder please restrict movement as much as possible (carry the dog to a vehicle) and seek veterinary assistance.

We are unable to copy the leaflet but have pasted below contact details that may save time if passed on to your vet.

Veterinary Poisons Information Service 2nd Floor, Godfree Court, 29-35 Long Lane, SE1 4PL Telephone: 020 73 055 055; Fax: 020 3538 6639 Email: [email protected] (information); [email protected] (admin) Website: www.vpisglobal.com

VPIS Treatment Summary – Adder Bite in Dogs This is a summary only. For case-specific expert advice please telephone the

Veterinary Poisons Information Service on 020 73 055 055.

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MAIN ACTIVITIES

Accredited Vocational Qualifications – HABC

A complete review of NASDU’s suite of accredited qualifications took place in 2021 following changes to the framework of our qualifications in 2016/2017, together with changes imposed by the Regulatory Authority OFQUAL in 2018 regarding the change from “endorsed” too “accredited”.

This review was essential to ensure our learning programmes are current and fit for purpose. As a result of this review new Fact Sheets and Trainers Packs have been issued.

National Canine Training & Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS)

The NCTAS programme for government agencies has now been rolled out and to ensure that NASDU’s Level 4 EDD’s remain current and fit for purpose, we have taken these requirements as best practice and developed a new Level 4 EDD programme.

NASDU Level 4 Accredited Learning Programme for a Detection Dog Handler

Pathway: Explosive Detection Dog: 2022

This programme meets the requirements of existing L4 EDD (150 Module) learners, requiring additional guided learning hours to achieve the new programme (320 Module) and who may wish to seek assessment under the Home Officer NCTAS-P Scheme, through an Affiliate NCTAS-P Company.

New Level 4 (320 Module) Training Packs have now been issued to all approved EDD Instructors/Trainers.

Achievement of this programme does not imply Home Office accreditation under the NCTAS-P Scheme for either the handler or dog but allows for recognition of prior learning by the Home Office.

NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer Code of Practice (COP)

The above COP was completely reviewed during 2020/21 and was issued to all NASDU Instructors/Trainers early in 2022.

Whilst a number of new policies and procedures have been added including a non-achievement policy, a full set of appendices is due to be published shortly as part of the Trainers COP.

British Standards – BS 8517 Part 1 & 2

Both parts of BS 8517 were due to be reviewed in 2021 but due to COVID-19 restrictions this did not happen.

NASDU has been in discussion with BSI, and it has been agreed once face to face meetings are again adopted by BSI then a panel shall be formed to carry out the review, hopefully towards the end of this year, although it is acknowledged that due to previous restrictions there is a backlog.

NASDU – Associate Company (Inspected) Status

Inspected Company status for Associate Company Members may be applied for subject to the following conditions being fully met.

Associate Company must have been a NASDU Member for a minimum of 12 months
Assessment must be carried out by an SIA/UKAS assessing body
- e., NSI, SSAIB, CCAS
Assessment must include product standards scope to the following standards
- BS 10800, BS 7499, and BS 8517 (Part 1 or 2)
Assessing body assessor must be approved by NASDU
Assessment must be valid for the full duration of Associate Company Membership

Any Associate Company considering the above are advised to contact NASDU Head Office prior to any contractual commitments to their nominated assessing body, as assessed/inspected status is not automatically guaranteed.

GP Manual

The NASDU GP Manual is now available to handlers via their Trainers in a bound book format. Trainers wishing to purchase these books should contact Sam at the administration office.

ISO 9001

Following a Management Committee meeting at which business continuity measures were discussed, a Quality Consultant was appointed in 2021 to embark on attaining the quality standard BS EN

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Accredited Vocational Qualifications – HABC

This review was essential to ensure our learning programmes are current and fit for purpose. As a result of this review new Fact Sheets and Trainers Packs have been issued.

National Canine Training & Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS)

NASDU Level 4 Accredited Learning Programme for a Detection Dog Handler

Pathway: Explosive Detection Dog: 2022

New Level 4 (320 Module) Training Packs have now been issued to all approved EDD Instructors/Trainers.

Achievement of this programme does not imply Home Office accreditation under the NCTAS-P Scheme for either the handler or dog but allows for recognition of prior learning by the Home Office.

NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer Code of Practice (COP)

The above COP was completely reviewed during 2020/21 and was issued to all NASDU Instructors/Trainers early in 2022.

Whilst a number of new policies and procedures have been added including a non-achievement policy, a full set of appendices is due to be published shortly as part of the Trainers COP.

British Standards – BS 8517 Part 1 & 2

Both parts of BS 8517 were due to be reviewed in 2021 but due to COVID-19 restrictions this did not happen.

NASDU – Associate Company (Inspected) Status

Inspected Company status for Associate Company Members may be applied for subject to the following conditions being fully met.

Associate Company must have been a NASDU Member for a minimum of 12 months
Assessment must be carried out by an SIA/UKAS assessing body
- e., NSI, SSAIB, CCAS
Assessment must include product standards scope to the following standards
- BS 10800, BS 7499, and BS 8517 (Part 1 or 2)
Assessing body assessor must be approved by NASDU
Assessment must be valid for the full duration of Associate Company Membership

GP Manual

The NASDU GP Manual is now available to handlers via their Trainers in a bound book format. Trainers wishing to purchase these books should contact Sam at the administration office.

ISO 9001

Following a Management Committee meeting at which business continuity measures were discussed, a Quality Consultant was appointed in 2021 to embark on attaining the quality standard BS EN ISO 9001:2015.

As a result, we have been very busy over the past year, to the point that prior to the AGM we shall have had our first internal audit, prior to the formal audit probably in June by the Assessing Body ACM-CCAS Ltd.

Team Verification

I am pleased to confirm that during January our team verification (for GP Teams) went live on our website. This verification facility has taken longer than anticipated due to access issue and the need to be GDPR compliant and as such a new database had to be written, and I thank Sam for all her hard work.

Users can now enter the handlers name and their NASDU Handler number together with the name of the dog and its microchip number (all of which appear on the Team certificate) and if a match is found then it will confirm the expiry date of any current NASDU GP Team certification.

It is now planned to roll this out for L3 DDD and L4 EDD.

Finally whilst NASDU shall endeavour to ensure that all relevant information is disseminated to its Members and Trainers via email together with postings on its website and Facebook page, all Members are reminded that if they have a query or are in need of information or advice then they should contact either Head Officer or our administration office who would be more than will to assist.

Steve Hill
Director/Company Secretary
HABC Centre Contact

MAIN ACTIVITIES

NASDU Level 4 Accredited Learning Programme for a Detection Dog Handler

Pathway: Explosive Detection Dog: 2022

New Level 4 (320 Module) Training Packs have now been issued to all approved EDD Instructors/Trainers.

Achievement of this programme does not imply Home Office accreditation under the NCTAS-P Scheme for either the handler or dog but allows for recognition of prior learning by the Home Office.

Steve Hill
Director/Company Secretary
HABC Centre Contact

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NASDU is pleased to announce that the out of hours “Team Verification” facility for GP Dog Teams is now live on our website.

Whilst this project has been a lot of hard work at both our Head Office and Administration Office, it is believed that this facility which can be accessed 24 hours, 7 days a week, will be a huge benefit to the private security dog sector.

This Team Verification facility which is aimed at employers and end users i.e., clients, allows the user to verify any NASDU GP dog certification by just entering the handlers name and their handler number from their certification. This facility can also be used if no certificate present as long as the handler knows their handler number. In all cases it is the responsibility of employer/end user to independently confirm the identity of the handler.

Verification Procedure

Go to the NASDU website – nasdu.co.uk
Click on “Security Guarding Dogs” on opening page
Click on “NASDU Security Dog Team Verification” which is located within the banner running across the home page
Complete the two fields i.e., handler name and number

If there is a match, you will be given the following:

Handlers – name, number and SIA licence number (if on file)
Dog – name, number, microchip number and description
Type of certification – i.e., annual
Date of team certification – date from to expiry date
Comments – i.e., HABC Level 2 GP

If no match is found, retry or contact NASDU’s Verification Team on [email protected] or 01483 224320 Option 1, who will be happy to assist you further during office hours.

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As you may be aware, the government has recently reviewed Protect Duty in crowded environments and events.

This undoubtedly will have a impact on considerations reference the use of dogs to assist in legal obligations.

Below is a link to the HMG findings and information.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty/outcome/government-response-document

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PROCEDURE FOR THE NOTIFICATION OF CONCERNS

NASDU is proud of its achievements regarding standards and qualifications within the UK private security dog sector, and as part of our Quality Management System we welcome feedback from industry including concerns (and if applicable complaints).

Any person having a concern regarding either a NASDU:

Company Member

Individual Handler/Member

Individual Approved Trainer

Should put their concern in writing giving full details together with evidence of their concern.

It is also essential that when writing we also receive the name and contact details of the person raising the concern, so we can investigate and respond.

NASDU will not investigate anonymous concerns that are not put in full and in writing,

Recently a letter was received at Head Office on 14/09/2021, the sender failed to identify themselves, provide an address or any contact details, the letter was not even dated.

Whilst the concerns raised within that letter have initially been investigated to the best of our ability, given the lack of any substantial evidence, we are unable to respond to the individual due to the lack of contact details provided.

Steve Hill
Director/Company Secretary
HABC Centre Contact

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NASDU would like to congratulate Highfields on recent awards for their

Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) Awareness e-learning.

This is an exceptionally good free resource for all business’s, and we would recommend our company members register and dog handlers look at the individual training.

The e courses are easy to access and are free just follow the link below.

https://ct.highfieldelearning.com/

The following is taken from Highfields press release:-

ACT Awareness took TWO awards at the Outstanding Security Performance Awards held on 25 February 2021. The e-learning component took home the Outstanding Security Training Initiative award, which recognises and rewards excellent contributions to learning in the security sector. And the ACT Awareness app, developed by Urim in partnership with NaCTSO and Marks and Spencer and launched only 12 months ago, took the Outstanding Security Training Initiative award, which is a fantastic way to top off its first year of operation.

But that wasn’t all.

On 18 February 2021, the ACT Awareness e-learning was awarded one of the top awards in the Learning Impact category at the Learning Awards, which recognises businesses that have implemented any kind of learning intervention or learning programme that has had a measurable impact on outcomes.
That put the ACT Awareness e-learning up against learning programmes from some of the biggest names in the corporate world, so to have the impact of its learning recognised, and to take one of the main prizes, is a huge achievement and something we’re extremely proud of.

The ACT Awareness e-learning and app provide potentially life-saving advice and the steps to follow should a terrorist attack ever happen. It tells you what you need to do to help protect your staff, customers and members of the public, making sure your business is adequately prepared for any eventuality.
Both are great for learning, and the app is a fantastic resource for businesses and their staff to have to hand should the worst ever happen. We’re hugely proud to see its value recognised in such a way.

So if you want to see what all the fuss is about, and why there are already 10,000 businesses registered to both the ACT Awareness e-learning and ACT Awareness app, just go to https://ct.highfieldelearning.com/ to play your part in keeping the public and colleagues safe.

NEWS Self-Employed Security Dog Handlers HMRC, as many members know, has recently held several webinars in conjunction with the SIA, the purpose of these were to explain the need for companies to comply with current Agency legislation. Whilst this was primarily aimed at ACS Companies, it is applicable to all contract security companies deploying self-employed Dog Handlers, as well as having a knock on effect to the individual Dog Handler ensuring that PAYE Tax is paid at source by the Handler. At this stage it must be noted that this is only applicable to the self-employed Dog Handler who contracts through a security provider who in turn is then deployed on a client’s site. It is not applicable to the self-employed Dog handler who contracts directly with a client and is then deployed on that clients site. Whilst this is not a Standards or Qualification issue or indeed a security issue, it is something that will affect a large percentage of Security Dog handlers in the UK and is why NASDU is keeping an eye on this developing situation. As a result NASDU has spoken with a number of company members as well as individual members together with several inspectorate bodies (ie NSI and SSAIB) regarding the impact this will have on the Private Security Dog Sector, NASDU has also had a meeting with representatives from the SIA on this same issue. At the meeting with the SIA (which incidentally was at the request of the SIA) NASDU heard the arguments that had been put forward by HMRC regarding the implementation of Agency legislation. As a result NASDU asked the SIA for more flexibility at this stage in their approach to HMRC compliance within the ACS scheme, in that companies should be given sufficient time to implement a PAYE scheme and if this took till the end of the financial year/period then this should be acceptable. It was also suggested that the SIA should take a more uniform approach ensuring that all ACS companies be given a date by which time they should all be compliant and not just when an individual company ACS compliance visit is due, thus ensuring a level playing field for all. In the meantime, whilst we await a response back from the SIA regarding a more flexible approach, NASDU is supporting a move by one of its long standing and respected members who are taking legal advice regarding the possibility of a Legal challenge as to how this current Agency legislation and its interpretation will have a significant impact on the legitimate self-employed Security Dog Handler, once this is done we hopefully will have a definitive answer to the question. Members with any information that may assist any legal challenge or require any further information should contact NASDU Head Office.

Self Employed Dog Handlers

Advice to members on latest Covid 19 government statements

Key Worker Status

D.S. Top up training (SIA Requirement)

Open Statement on Concerns/Complaints

Dangerous Dogs Tough new law to help prevent attacks

Debit/Credit Card Payments

Magazine Editorial Deadline

Controlled Drugs – Training Aids

Self Employed Dog Handlers

Advice to members on latest Covid 19 government statements

Key Worker Status

D.S. Top up training (SIA Requirement)

Open Statement on Concerns/Complaints

Dangerous Dogs Tough new law to help prevent attacks

Debit/Credit Card Payments

Magazine Editorial Deadline

Controlled Drugs – Training Aids

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