3-MINUTE READ THE PREVENT DUTY

What is it and what does it mean for me? This 3-Minute Read summarises the DfE’s document: ‘The Prevent duty: Departmental advice for schools and childcare providers’, published in June This guidance is non-statutory and explains the Prevent duty outlined in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act This information is intended for governing bodies, school leaders and school staff in all maintained schools (including nurseries), non-maintained schools, independent schools, alternative provision academies and academies.

The Prevent duty The Prevent duty requires school staff to be able to identify children who are vulnerable to radicalisation and to know how to respond to this. This duty is part of schools’ wider safeguarding duties and should be regarded as the same as protecting children from other forms of harm. This duty should not be burdensome. Ofsted’s revised framework (September 2015), specifies that schools need safeguarding arrangements in place to prevent radicalisation and extremism.

Risk assessment Schools must assess the risk of children being drawn into terrorism. Schools should demonstrate a general understanding of the risks affecting children and young people in the area, as well as how to identify individual children at risk of radicalisation. The general risks vary between different areas and ages. Staff should be alert to changes in children’s behaviours, use their professional judgement to identify children at risk of radicalisation, and act proportionately to these risks. Clear procedures should be in place to protect children at risk of radicalisation, including action where behaviour causes concern. Unnecessary intrusion into family life is not required. Vulnerable pupils can be referred to the Channel programme.Channel programme

Working in partnership The Prevent duty builds on existing local partnerships. Local Safeguarding Children Boards are responsible for coordinating local agencies for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in their local area. Working with LAs is important as they are vital to coordinating Prevent work. Schools should also aim to engage effectively with parents/the family of at-risk children.

Staff training Prevent awareness training is required to equip staff with the skills to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism and extremist ideologies. Staff should understand how to challenge extremist ideas. As a minimum, the school’s designated safeguarding lead must undertake Prevent awareness training and be able to provide advice and support to other staff on how to protect children against the risk of radicalisation. A number of training providers, including the Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent, are available.

IT policies Schools must ensure that children are safe from terrorist and extremist material when accessing the internet in school. Suitable filtering systems must be in place. Staff should equip pupils with the skills to stay safe online, both inside and outside of school. Internet safety should be an integral part of the school’s ICT curriculum.

Building children’s resilience A safe environment for debating controversial issues is a good way to help develop children’s resistance to radicalisation. This will help children to understand how they can influence and participate in decision-making. Schools must promote fundamental British values, alongside pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils should be given time to explore sensitive and controversial issues. Pupils should be given the knowledge and skills to understand and manage potentially difficult situations, recognise risk, make safe choices and recognise where pressure from others threatens their personal safety and wellbeing. Schools should equip pupils to explore political and social issues critically, weigh evidence, debate, and make reasoned arguments. Pupils should learn about how democracy, government and law making/enforcement occurs. Mutual respect and understanding for the diverse national, regional, religious and ethnic identities of the UK should be promoted.

What’s next? LAs and the police may have additional advice on resources in your area. If a member of staff at your school has concerns about a particular pupil, normal safeguarding procedures should be followed. Local police can be contacted, including via 101 (the non-emergency number), for confidential support and advice. The DfE has a dedicated helpline ( ), and where staff and governors can raise If an emergency situation arises, the emergency services should be contacted on 999. For further information on British values, visit our topic page here.here