What is the Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness?

Updated

The Level 3 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness is a Home Office funded qualification delivered by RB Health and Safety Solutions. It was developed by NaCTSO (the National Counter Terrorism Security Office) and SFJ Awards, and its stated purpose is to help organisations make informed decisions about terrorism risks. If your role involves security planning, venue management, or duty-of-care responsibilities for a site or event, this is the qualification RB Health and Safety Solutions positions for you.

Who the course is for

The qualification is aimed at organisations rather than individuals acting alone. RB Health and Safety Solutions describes it as helping organisations "make informed decisions about terrorism risks" — so the natural fit is someone who contributes to those decisions: security managers, facilities or operations leads, health and safety officers, and staff responsible for protective security at a venue or site.

The awarding context matters here. Because it is Home Office funded and developed by NaCTSO with SFJ Awards, it sits within the UK's official counter-terrorism protective security framework rather than being a purely commercial course. That is the main reason to choose it over a generic security awareness programme: the content and the qualification route are tied to recognised national bodies.

What the Level 3 Award covers

The title itself defines the scope: protective security and preparedness. In practice, that means the course addresses how an organisation assesses terrorism risk and what it does to protect people and assets and to prepare for incidents. RB Health and Safety Solutions does not publish a detailed module list on the page evidence available, so treat the specific syllabus as something to confirm directly with the provider before booking.

What is confirmed:

  • It is a Level 3 qualification, which in the UK framework indicates a level above entry-level awareness training.
  • It is funded by the Home Office.
  • It was developed by NaCTSO and SFJ Awards.
  • It is delivered by RB Health and Safety Solutions.

How to register

The registration route is stated directly on the site: RB Health and Safety Solutions provides a "Register now" entry point for this qualification. To move from interest to enrolment, the practical steps are:

  1. Go to the RB Health and Safety Solutions website and open the Counter-Terrorism course page.
  2. Use the registration link to express interest or book a place.
  3. Confirm the current schedule, delivery format, and any eligibility conditions with the provider — these are not specified in the available page content.
  4. If you need to justify the training internally, use the Home Office funding and NaCTSO/SFJ Awards development as the basis for your case.

You can also contact the provider directly at [email protected] or on 0845 257 1489 to ask about dates and requirements before registering.

How it fits with RB Health and Safety Solutions' other services

RB Health and Safety Solutions has operated since 2003, providing audits, consultancy, and training to companies, local authorities, and individuals. Its consultancy team is registered with the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR). Alongside the counter-terrorism qualification, the provider offers health and safety audits, occupational hearing screening, and a range of courses including eLearning options.

That breadth is relevant if you are choosing a provider: you can potentially combine counter-terrorism training with a broader health and safety audit or consultancy engagement rather than managing separate suppliers. If your organisation already works with RB Health and Safety Solutions on audits or occupational health, adding this qualification is a low-friction extension.

What to check before you commit

  • Syllabus and assessment: the page evidence does not detail the modules or how you are assessed. Ask for this.
  • Delivery format and duration: not stated. Confirm whether it is classroom, online, or blended.
  • Eligibility: no entry requirements are published. Check whether prior security or health and safety experience is expected.
  • Cost: no pricing information is available on the page, so do not assume it is free despite the Home Office funding — confirm the commercial terms with the provider.
  • Scheduling: dates and availability are not listed in the available content.

If your organisation needs to demonstrate a structured, nationally recognised approach to terrorism risk, this qualification is designed for exactly that purpose. If you only need general security awareness, a lower-level course may be sufficient — the Level 3 framing suggests it is intended for people with real responsibility for protective security decisions.