SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness

SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness

Build the Knowledge and Skills to Protect People, Venues and Organisations

The SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter‑Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness qualification provides learners with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to understand terrorist attack methods, assess risks, and implement protective security and preparedness strategies in line with modern UK legislation and best practice.

Developed in collaboration with the National Counter‑Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), this is the only qualification of its kind designed to directly support organisational readiness for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law)—helping venues and sites reduce both the likelihood and impact of terrorism-related incidents.

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Who Is This Qualification For?

This qualification is designed for anyone responsible for the safety, resilience, and protection of people and places, including:

  • Those with responsibility for venues, sites and organisations.
  • Those who want a better understanding of counter-terrorism (CT) in preparation for the implementation of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law)*

There are no pre‑entry requirements, and learners must simply be capable of working at Level 3.

Key Benefits of the SFJ Awards Level 3 CT Protective Security & Preparedness Award

Developed and Endorsed by NaCTSO

This is the only qualification endorsed by Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) and National Counter‑Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), providing unmatched legitimacy, accuracy, and alignment to UK counter-terrorism standards.

Supports Readiness for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025

While the course itself does not guarantee legal compliance, it equips learners with the knowledge and skills needed to prepare for the Act’s Standard and Enhanced tier requirements.

Comprehensive Learning Resources

Approved delivery includes full access to high‑quality tutor and learner resources, including: e‑learning, lesson plans, slides, exemplar materials, assessments, and more.

Recognised, Regulated & Respected

Regulated by Ofqual and Qualifications Wales, this qualification holds national value and supports professional development across the protective services sector.

What You’ll Learn (6 Mandatory Units)

This Level 3 Award consists of 6 mandatory units, totalling 90 Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 41 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Unit 1 – Introduction to Counter Terrorism (GLH: 5)
  • What terrorism is and how threat levels work
  • UK terrorism threat levels
  • Common attack types
  • Key CT legislation and organisational responsibilities
  • Venues, Sites and Organisations (VSOs) and their status under the 2025 Act
  • Components of an effective security culture
  • Barriers to strong security culture
  • Leadership, staff involvement and management processes that support security behaviours
  • Principles of crime prevention
  • Hostile reconnaissance behaviours
  • Insider threats & social media auditors
  • Categories of protective security measures
  • JASPAR principles for layered protection
  • How preparedness planning works
  • Evacuation, invacuation, and lockdown procedures
  • Communication strategies for staff, contractors, visitors, neighbours & emergency services
  • Responding to suspicious behaviour or items
  • First aid planning and documentation
  • Impact of national threat level changes
  • Key CT risk terminology: threat, vulnerability, impact, risk
  • Five‑step CT risk assessment process
  • Physical and active control measures
  • Risk treatment planning
  • Building structured, evidence‑based recommendations
  • Moral, legal and financial justifications
  • Securing leadership support for CT measures

  • Assessment for this qualification is set and controlled by SFJ Awards and must be delivered in this order:

    1. Multiple Choice Examination
    2. Written Assignment
    3. Professional Discussion

    These must be delivered by approved centres and are externally quality assured.

  • Completing this qualification opens pathways into safety, security, and protective security roles. Progression opportunities include:

    • Security officer or team leader
    • Venue supervisor or facilities supervisor
    • Event safety steward or supervisor
    • Protective security adviser

    Learners may also progress to Level 4–5 qualifications in protective security, risk management, business continuity, emergency planning, or leadership and management.

Meet the Experts

Stephen Sharrock

Stephen  is a former Metropolitan Police Inspector with extensive experience across frontline policing, strategic operations, and specialist counter‑terrorism investigations. His policing career included leading response teams in Westminster, managing borough‑wide operational resourcing, and serving as a detective in counter‑terrorism and security policing, where he worked on terrorist investigations, intelligence development, international liaison, and protective security briefings for public and private sector partners. 

After retiring from the MPS, Stephen retrained as a teacher and has since delivered high‑quality training in secondary education, higher education, and professional policing environments. He has taught new police recruits under the PEQF, facilitated organisational culture‑change programmes for the Metropolitan Police, and delivered specialist training on trauma‑informed practice, domestic abuse, and serious sexual offences. Combining operational credibility with strong pedagogical expertise, 

Stephen brings a clear, engaging, and evidence‑informed approach to CPIW delivery, helping learners build the competence and confidence required for protective security roles.

Matthew is a specialist trainer with more than two decades of frontline and strategic experience in safeguarding, counter‑terrorism, vulnerability, and community risk management. 

His policing career with the Metropolitan Police included senior roles within National Counter Terrorism Policing HQ, Central Specialist Crime, and Trident, where he led risk assessments, multi‑agency safeguarding panels, business assurance processes, and the design and delivery of national training programmes. 

As one of our counter terrorism team he now delivers, radicalisation, online safety, and organisational risk training across public, private, and voluntary sectors, drawing on extensive experience advising government departments, police forces, NGOs, and education providers.

A confident communicator and subject matter expert, Mathew brings the operational insight, professional credibility, and learner‑centred approach essential for delivering the CPIW qualification to a consistently high standard.

Richard is a former Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector with more than 30 years’ experience across frontline policing, covert and counter terrorism operations, public order, roads and transport policing, and specialist training. 

His senior leadership roles included heading the MPS Driver Training Unit  leading multi‑agency strategies to reduce crime and risk across London’s transport network. Richard has extensive experience designing, delivering, and quality‑assuring complex training programmes, from national pursuit and tactical contact training to leadership development for the Metropolitan Police. 

Since retiring from the MPS, he has worked as an independent trainer, assessor, and facilitator, supporting police recruits, public‑sector leaders, and major organisations with risk‑based decision‑making, operational competence, and safety‑critical practice. 

His blend of operational insight, strategic leadership, and instructional expertise makes him a highly credible and engaging trainer for the CPIW qualification.

Enrol Today – Prepare Your Organisation for the Future of Protective Security

Equip yourself or your team with the UK’s most authoritative counter‑terrorism protective security qualification.

 

SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness ​

5 Day Fast-Track - 27th April - 1st May 2026 - Virtual - Only £1199 per person (+VAT)
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SFJ Awards Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness ​

5 Day Fast-Track - 11th May - 15th May 2026 - Virtual - Only £1199 per person (+VAT)
Click Here
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Virtual version over five weeks (one day per week) 
Face to Face fast track (5 consecutive days)
For corporate in house bookings please contact us to discuss requirement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does this qualification make me compliant with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025?

No qualification or training on its own will make a venue, site or organisation compliant. Compliance is a about more than this, however this qualification provides an excellent foundation of knowledge from which organisations can develop a CT risk assessment and preparedness plan as outlined in Martyn’s Law.

Yes. It is regulated in England and Wales and developed with NaCTSO.

Yes – SFJ Awards were chosen to deliver the Competent Person in the Workplace qualification. The official title for the qualification is: Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness.

There are no pre‑entry requirements beyond the ability to work at Level 3.

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