Ofqual-regulated counter-terrorism qualification officially launches

The qualification has been developed between the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) – itself a specialist unit within Counter Terrorism Policing – and awarding body SFJ Awards, which works predominantly with the Emergency Services and justice sectors.

Those attaining the qualification, which was developed under the working title of ‘Competent Person in the Workplace’, will become recognised in the domain of Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness.

The qualification was launched at the UK Government global security event, Security and Policing, recently held at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Development of the new qualification has been funded by the Home Office to address recommendations made by the Manchester Arena Inquiry. It will provide organisations with the toolset needed to understand and mitigate the threat and risks posed by terrorism.

Tangible training

Jon Savell, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations, said: “Our main goal is to keep members of the public safe from the threat of terrorism. This is now a tangible piece of training that personnel in the security, Health and Safety and operational professions can obtain.”

Savell continued: “Individuals taking the qualification will come away with practical tools to mitigate the risk of terrorism to their organisation or business and, by extension, the public. Set against the backdrop of increasing terror threats, this is absolutely essential to employer resilience. Keeping people safe from terrorism is everyone’s responsibility.”

David Higham, managing director at SFJ Awards, noted: “This is the only counter-terrorism qualification endorsed by Counter Terrorism Policing and enables learners and organisations alike to highlight the risks posed to them and their premises through terrorism.”

Higham continued: “It has the added benefit of being regulated by Ofqual. Regulated qualifications bring with them the additional level of confidence that the course is high quality, will bring consistency to industry and has real-world application. The qualification will enable workforces to be better prepared for dealing with terrorism issues and, importantly, enable them to set up counter-terrorism preparedness plans.”

Delivery package 

Training providers approved to deliver the qualification will benefit from a full qualification delivery package including comprehensive e-learning, lesson plans, a learner course manual, sample assessments and assessor guidance, all developed by NaCTSO and SFJ Awards.

The qualification is now live and courses are already underway.

Training providers who want to become approved to deliver the qualification can register online at https://sfjawards.com/centres/become-a-centre.

Employers can find out how the qualification will strengthen security capabilities, help mitigate risk and support approaches to complying with regulatory requirements by visiting https://sfjawards.com/level-3-award-in-counter-terrorism-protective-security-and-preparedness/infor…

Learners can read about the qualification content and how it supports career pathways in security and related sectors at https://sfjawards.com/level-3-award-in-counter-terrorism-protective-security-and-preparedness/learn… https://sfjawards.com/level-3-award-in-counter-terrorism-protective-security-and-preparedness/learn…

Counter Terrorism Security Specialists Register

In addition to the launch of the qualification, the Counter Terrorism Security Specialists Register will be open to enquiries and expressions of interest from 1 April.

The Counter Terrorism Security Specialists Register will become part of the General Security Advisor category within the National Protective Security Agency-sponsored Register of Security Engineers and Specialists (RSES).

NaCTSO will remain active in driving the standards for counter-terrorism protective security and preparedness within the RSES to maintain its endorsement.

Access the RSES website at https://www.rses.org.uk, which contains details about the application process once it is open.