Launch of the new Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness – the only Counter-Terrorism Policing endorsed qualification
Protecting people and places is no longer a specialist concern reserved for a small number of roles or sectors. In today’s operating environment and following the introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law), protective security has become a professional standard for individuals and preparedness has become an organisational responsibility.
SFJ Awards is proud to launch the Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness: the only qualification endorsed by Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), and the only one offered by SFJ Awards.
Why the qualification matters now
Societal resilience and public safety drives in a modern threat climate means that we have never needed skills development in this area more. There’s growing business and public awareness of the need to be protected – and be protected competently.
On top of that, regulatory changes such as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law), place new expectations on organisations responsible for public and operational spaces, from retail and hospitality to events, transport and wider business environments.
While compliance requires an organisational approach that is more than any single course or qualification can provide – capability starts with knowledge, skills and confidence.
This qualification has been developed to provide a practical, credible foundation for those responsible for assessing risk, planning for incidents and protecting people. It supports organisations not just to respond to legislation, but to build long-term resilience into their operations.
Preparedness is not a one-off activity. It is an ongoing commitment – and increasingly, a professional responsibility.
The Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness has been designed to operate at multiple levels:
Collective preparedness
By improving understanding of terrorism risk and preparedness across organisations, the qualification contributes to wider societal resilience and public safety.
Organisational capability
Learners develop the ability to assess venues, sites and organisations, reduce vulnerability, and design counter-terrorism preparedness plans and risk assessments, supporting and building upon the intent of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
Individual skill
Participants gain practical, transferable skills that support progression into, or within, roles at all operational and strategic levels, such as security officer or supervisor, event safety lead, facilities management, or protective security adviser – all growing professional occupations.
What does the course cover?
This Level 3 qualification equips learners with the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand terrorism, attack types and UK threat levels
- Understand counter-terrorism legislation, including the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law)
- Recognise and promote positive security culture
- Apply crime prevention and protective security measures
- Create counter-terrorism risk assessments and preparedness plans
- Develop structured, evidence-based written recommendations.
Assessment is designed to reflect real-world application and includes a multiple-choice examination, a written assignment focused on risk assessment and preparedness planning, and a professional discussion.
Support training providers
There has been a lot of interest and demand for this qualification, which is why we’ve designed a full suite of supporting materials for training providers. Approved centres are supported with:
- Comprehensive eLearning
- Full lesson plans and slide packs
- Learner course manuals
- Assessment materials, samples and guidance
- Regular updates informed by our partnership with NaCTSO.
Built with counter-terrorism expertise
This is the only Level 3 qualification endorsed by Counter-Terrorism Policing and NaCTSO, and it is delivered exclusively through SFJ Awards. This partnership brings together national expertise in counter-terrorism and protective security with qualification design and development.
This ensures consistent, high-quality delivery and keeps content aligned with evolving threat and policy contexts.
Our collective networks across private security, policing, and all the protective services in the UK, as well as business networks across retail, events, transport and other key sectors, has been vital to the design of the qualification. This input has strengthened the proposition to ensure that learning outcomes are based on real-life scenarios and provide the skills needed for organisations and individuals to progress their capabilities.
Building capability beyond compliance
No qualification or training on its own will make an organisation compliant with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (also known as Martyn’s Law). Compliance is about governance, planning, culture and capability working together.
What this qualification provides is a strong foundation of skills and understanding, enabling organisations and individuals to take informed, practical steps towards improved preparedness and protection.
Because in today’s environment, preparedness isn’t optional. Preparedness is a professional standard.
Get started with the Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness
- Training providers and employer providers can apply to become SFJ Awards approved centres
- Employers can use the qualification to build organisational capability
- Individuals can progress their skills and careers in protective security
