For large and complex organisations, preparing for Martyn’s Law is not simply a matter of understanding new requirements. It means translating those requirements into practical action: considering risks, developing appropriate plans and procedures, and creating a clear route towards implementation.
At Northumbria University, the NaCTSO-endorsed SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness is helping support that process.
The university’s Head of Security Mail & Transport, John Anderson, who is responsible for setting security strategy, leading internal and external engagement and promoting a positive security culture across the institution, completed the qualification as part of their role.
With more than 40 years of experience in the security sector, their decision to take the qualification was driven by a desire to complement that experience with formally accredited, current knowledge.
But the benefits extend beyond the individual learner.
“I felt this would provide additional reassurance to my institution and university community that their ‘competent person’ also had a relevant, up-to-date qualification.”
Security in a diverse and open environment
“Northumbria University is a large, diverse, open-access higher educational establishment with a global footprint. It is important that we provide a safe, welcoming learning and working environment,” explains John.
“Whilst I have a few ‘hats’, my primary role as head of service is to provide and set security strategy, lead external and internal engagement, and promote a security culture across the institution.”
For an organisation of this scale and complexity, protective security and preparedness need to work across a diverse environment, while continuing to support an open and welcoming campus.
The qualification provided additional knowledge and practical tools to support this approach, with a core focus in the course content on developing and embedding a positive security culture. This is helping to provide a stronger foundation for the university’s ongoing approach to protective security as national guidance and expectations continue to develop.
Turning knowledge into plans and practical action
One of the key outcomes of the qualification has been the ability to take existing knowledge and experience and apply it through a clearer framework for planning and preparedness.
John developed knowledge and practical tools to support the consideration of threats, risks and mitigations, alongside the development of preparedness plans, risk assessments and supporting reports.
Importantly, the assessment provided an opportunity to put this learning into practice.
“The scenarios were real-life examples which made it easier to work on. You learn the formats and procedures to include based on national guidelines, which takes away the risk for the organisation of following non-standard approaches to security development.”
For employers, this practical application can be particularly valuable. Rather than learning about protective security in isolation, learners are required to work through realistic scenarios and consider how principles, guidance and planning processes can be applied in an operational context.
The preparedness plan developed as part of the course has also provided a framework for moving from recommendations to action.
“Following the preparedness plan you create as part of the course enables you to set objectives for the organisation to achieve the recommendations in a structured format.”
This creates a clearer way of identifying priorities, recording recommendations and establishing the actions needed to strengthen organisational preparedness.
Supporting the journey towards Martyn’s Law readiness
The knowledge and practical planning developed through the qualification are now supporting Northumbria University’s preparations for Martyn’s Law.
The learner has developed what they describe as a clear strategy and plan for producing the documentation and implementation needed to support the university’s approach.
For the organisation, this provides a clearer route from understanding counter-terrorism protective security requirements to considering how they can be applied in practice.
“The tools you will have will make your Martyn’s Law compliance journey much easier.”
While preparing for legislative requirements is an important consideration, the wider benefit is also about organisational confidence and reassurance.
“I have the required knowledge, documentation and implementation of the plan which should put us in a good place to not only meet compliance requirements but also provide reassurance to our university community, the public and our external partner agencies.”
For organisations considering how to develop their internal capability, the value of the qualification is therefore not simply in gaining a formal award. It can provide a practical framework for developing the knowledge, planning and documentation needed to support a more consistent and considered approach to protective security and preparedness.
About the qualification
The SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness supports learners to develop the knowledge and understanding needed to contribute to counter-terrorism protective security and preparedness. It was designed in collaboration with the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and is the only qualification of its kind endorsed by NaCTSO and Counter-Terrorism Policing.
Through the development of practical documentation, including preparedness planning, the qualification provides learners with a structured framework that can be applied to their own workplace or operational context.
