What is Prevent?

Prevent duty

All schools and colleges are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (the CTSA 2015), in the exercise of their functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty is known as the Prevent duty.

Home Office: Revised Prevent duty guidance

The Prevent duty should be seen as part of schools’ and colleges’ wider safeguarding obligations. Designated Safeguarding Leads and other senior leaders in schools should familiarise themselves with the revised Prevent duty guidance especially paragraphs 57-76, which are specifically concerned with schools. Designated safeguarding leads and other senior leaders in colleges should familiarise themselves with the Prevent duty guidance.

The guidance is set out in terms of four general themes:

• risk assessment
• working in partnership
• staff training
• and IT policies.

Channel

Channel is a voluntary, confidential support programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. Prevent referrals may be passed to a multi-agency Channel panel, which will discuss the individual referred to determine whether they are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism and consider the appropriate support required. A representative from the school or college may be asked to attend the Channel panel to help with this assessment. An individual’s engagement with the programme is entirely voluntary at all stages.

In the case of a child moving schools the Designated Safeguarding Lead should consider if it would be appropriate to share any information with the new school or college in advance of a child leaving. For example, information that would allow the new school or college to continue supporting victims of abuse or those who are currently receiving support through the ‘Channel’ programme, and have that support in place for when the child arrives.

What do I do if I have a Prevent concern?

If a person, child or adult, is at immediate risk, report this to the Police through 999 and follow the school’s child protection procedure where appropriate.

NOTICE - Are you worried that a person is at risk of being radicalised into extremism and/or supporting terrorism?

• Observe concern, listen to disclosure
• Record concern on organisations safeguarding recording form

CHECK – Can you find out more? Can you sense check?

• If your concern is about a child and if appropriate, check the concern with a parent or carer unless it could put the child at further risk of harm
• If appropriate speak to the person of concern to better understand the situation
• Talk with Prevent Designated Safeguarding Person
• Consult the Continuum of need for level of support and response required
• Seek advice from the Child Protection School Liaison Service via Consultation Hub with consent from parents/carers that you need to seek advice

SHARE – Do you still have concerns after checking?

• Complete National Referral Form (below)
• Remember: consent is NOT needed when making Prevent referrals.
• Consent will be sort if concern is adopted by the Channel Panel
• Update your organisation's recording systems