Level 2 SFJ Award · One day
SFJ Awards Level 2 Award
in Counter-Terrorism Awareness
Give your front line teams the confidence to recognise suspicious activity, respond appropriately and help keep people safe.
Course overview
A practical entry point
for front-line teams.
Developed in response to growing market demand, this qualification offers a practical, entry-level pathway for front-line staff — particularly those for whom the Level 3 CTPSaP may go beyond the scope of their role.
It is designed to complement existing counter-terrorism and protective security training, not replace it.
What learners will cover
- Terrorism threats and common attack methods
- The purpose and intent of Martyn's Law
- Vigilance, hostile reconnaissance and suspicious behaviour
- Reporting and escalation routes
- Immediate response actions
- Evacuation, invacuation and lockdown procedures
- Suspicious item procedures
- Public access trauma first aid awareness
Awarded & regulated by
Course information
Who it is for and
what it delivers.
Who should attend
Staff who need a working understanding of their role.
This course is ideal for staff who need a working understanding of their role in maintaining a safer organisation without the requirement for formal counter-terrorism risk assessments. Typical roles include front-line and customer-facing staff, security and estates teams, supervisors, volunteers, contractors, and anyone working in a public-facing environment.
Key benefits
Capability in a single day.
- Delivered in a single day
- Supports awareness of Martyn's Law principles
- Equips staff to recognise and report concerns effectively
- Strengthens consistent incident response across your organisation
- Provides formal, evidenced proof of staff training
- Offers a clear progression route to the Level 3 CTPSaP qualification
Assessment
25-question multiple-choice test.
25-question multiple-choice test held during the course.
Where we deliver
Counter terrorism training
across the UK.
In addition to our Norwich base we run open courses in Cambridge, Sheffield, Bristol and Newcastle, and deliver on-site at client premises anywhere in the UK — tailoring the day to your risks, operating environment and objectives.
Norwich
Our Norfolk base and primary training centre
Cambridge
Serving Cambridgeshire and the East of England
Sheffield
Serving Yorkshire and the East Midlands
Bristol
Serving the South West and South Wales
Newcastle
Serving the North East and Scottish borders
Corporate bookings
In-house delivery for
whole teams.
For organisations training several members of staff — whether through multiple places on an open course or a dedicated in-house delivery — Oakwood provides flexible options tailored to your needs. In-house delivery takes place at your premises or chosen location for a minimum of five delegates, with up to 16 delegates per cohort.
All materials, templates and assessments are hosted on Oakwood's secure online platform, providing a consistent, high-quality learning experience across every delivery route. Pricing for in-house delivery and group bookings is based on delegate numbers and location.
FAQs
Frequently asked
questions.
Please reach us at info@oakwoodriskgroup.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Does the SFJ Level 2 Counter Terrorism course satisfy the staff awareness training duty under Martyn's Law?+
Yes. The SFJ Level 2 Award in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security Awareness is structured to support organisations in meeting the staff awareness training duties required under Martyn's Law (the Terrorism Protection of Premises Act 2025). Delivered in a concise one-day format, this Ofqual regulated qualification gives front-line employees the essential skills to recognise suspicious behaviour, understand the threat landscape and execute immediate response protocols without needing to complete complex risk assessments.
Who should take the Level 2 Counter-Terrorism Awareness course?+
This entry-level course is designed for front-line, public-facing or operational personnel working in crowded places and venues.
- Front-of-house and hospitality staff: receptionists, concierges, retail workers and venue customer service teams.
- Facilities and security operations: estates teams, stewards, security operatives and maintenance personnel.
- Event and public sector teams: local authority staff, event stewards, volunteers and contractors working at public gathering places.
What is the difference between the Level 2 and Level 3 Counter-Terrorism courses?+
The core distinction lies in operational responsibility.
- Level 2 Award (1 day): for front-line staff who need foundational awareness to spot hostile reconnaissance, report concerns and follow emergency response procedures such as evacuation, invacuation and lockdown.
- Level 3 Award (5 days): a management-level qualification for individuals responsible for conducting formal counter terrorism risk assessments, writing emergency plans and implementing venue-wide protective security measures.
Are there any entry requirements for the SFJ Level 2 Counter-Terrorism course?+
No prior security experience or qualifications are required. The course is open to anyone aged 16 and over. Learners need sufficient English communication and literacy skills to take part in classroom discussion and complete the 25-question multiple-choice assessment at the end of the day.
How is the Level 2 qualification assessed, and can Oakwood deliver it in-house?+
Assessment consists of an SFJ Awards administered 25-question multiple-choice exam completed at the end of the one-day course, requiring an 80% pass mark. We run scheduled open classroom courses in Norwich, Cambridge, Sheffield, Bristol and Newcastle, as well as bespoke in-house group delivery at your venue or corporate premises to train whole teams with minimal operational downtime.
Insights
Further reading.
Briefings, points of view and lessons learned from the team — selected for relevance to this service.
How to become an Organisational Preparedness Specialist in 2026
Preparedness is moving from a box-ticking exercise to a core organisational discipline. Here is how to build a career at the centre of it.
How to build skills in Counter Terrorism in 2026
Counter terrorism capability is now a mainstream organisational requirement. Here is a practical development path for security professionals, managers and resilience leaders.
How to become a Protective Security Officer in 2026
The route into protective security has changed. Here is how to build the knowledge, credibility and practical skills that employers and regulators now expect.
Next step
Train your front line in a day.
Speak to our team about upcoming dates in Norwich, Cambridge, Sheffield, Bristol and Newcastle, or in-house delivery at your site.