Prevent Strategy and Duty
Policy
Prevent Strategy and Duty Policy
Responsible Officer:
Director of Student Support Services and Head of
Safeguarding
Created:
June 2015
Reviewed:
December 2015
Date to Governors:
9th February 2016
Review:
July 2016
Equality and Diversity Statement
RNC is committed to the promotion of equality, diversity and a supportive
environment for all members of our community. Our commitment to equality and
diversity means that this policy has been screened in relation to the use of plain
English, the promotion of the positive duty in relation to race, gender and disability
and the avoidance of discrimination to other equality groups related to age, sexual
orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status and religion or belief. This
document is available in alternative formats on request. If you think RNC can improve
the fairness of this policy please contact the Equality and Diversity officer who has
responsibility for the review and update.
Policy
All staff at RNC share an objective to help keep students, customers and staff safe.
We believe that safeguarding has paramount importance and RNC recognises its
responsibility and duties within the Prevent Strategy to be aware of and where
appropriate act to ensure the safety of all students from Radicalisation and
Extremism.
Background
The Government’s Prevent Strategy is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the
government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists
or supporting terrorism.
The four elements of CONTEST are;
To Prevent people becoming terrorists or supporting violent extremists.
To Pursue - to stop terrorist attacks.
To Protect - to strengthen the country's overall protection against terrorist attacks.
To Prepare - where an attack cannot be stopped, to try to lessen its impact.
The Government’s Prevent strategy:
 responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects
of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views
 provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism
and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support
 works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice,
faith, charities, online and health) where there are risks of radicalisation
that we need to deal with
The strategy covers all forms of terrorism, including far right extremism and some
aspects of non-violent extremism.
The government has defined extremism in the Prevent Duty as: "vocal or active
opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law,
individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs."
The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on specified authorities
including schools, colleges and universities to ‘have due regard, in the exercise of its
functions, to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’.
1. What we believe:
1.1
The College has developed a culture of safety and respect for its student,
staff, governors and visitors. As part of this ethos the College has considered
the Prevent Duty and the importance of collaborative working between college
staff, local authorities, police, other educational institutions, policy makers and
health providers to identify, detect and safeguard vulnerable people
throughout the organisation
1.2
RNC believes that all its student population are potentially vulnerable to
becoming engaged with extremist groups or being targeted by extremist
organisations.
1.3
RNC believes that all staff and students should be aware of these risks and be
familiar with the support networks and procedures in place to protect
vulnerable individuals from becoming radicalised or drawn into terrorism.
1.4
RNC believes that for the Prevent Duty to work effectively we must ensure we
act as a part of effective partnerships, in particular with our Local Prevent coordinators, the police and local authorities.
2. What we will do:
To promote, implement and monitor the College’s responsibilities under the Prevent
Duty to all students, staff, Governors and visitors at the College, we will:
2.1
Set a strategy and action plan to achieve the Prevent Duty (Appendix 1)
2.2
Promote and embed British Values into the organisation’s procedures and
curriculum offer (Appendix 2)
2.3
Promote the College’s ethos and values
2.4
Ensure that the College promotes a culture of non-bullying, non-harassment
and non-discrimination.
2.5
In partnership provide support for students who may be at risk and develop
appropriate sources of advice and guidance.
2.6
Ensure that students and staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in
preventing violent extremism and radicalisation.
How we will do it:
3.1
RNC will have clear and visible policies in place for both staff and students
with due regard to promoting a positively inclusive college and wider
community.
Related Policies:






RNC Equality & Diversity Policy
RNC Acceptable use/E-Safety Policy
RNC Bullying & Harassment Policy
RNC Safeguarding Children Policy
RNC Whistle Blowing Policy
RNC Guidance for safer working practice for staff who work with children
and younger people.
3.2
The College’s EDI steering group will lead on the embedding of British Values
together with the Senior Leadership Team and the governing body. The Group
will establish guidelines and actions to be taken through the College’s
operation to ensure that British Values are understood by all and are integral
to the College’s culture
3.3
The college will deliver training on the Prevent Duty to Governors, staff and
volunteers at the appropriate level which ensures they are able to identify any
students at risk and take appropriate actions to ensure that the student is
supported; all awareness training will include guidance on how to deal with:







3.4
Inappropriate material and behaviours
Disclosures by learners about their exposure to extremist actions, views or
materials
Accessing extremist material on line
Parental or peer concerns
Intolerance of difference
Anti-Western or Anti-British views
The impact on the student and the FE Institution
Information of the Prevent Agenda and Duty will be promoted to students by
inclusion in :


Induction information
Curriculum offer, lesson planning and schemes of work
Related policy and procedures
3.5
RNC will work with West Mercia Police to ensure we are familiar with the
Counter-Terrorism local profiles to inform the assessment of risk of individuals
being drawn into terrorism.
3.6
RNC will work with the Local Authority Community Cohesion and Integration
Manager, alongside the Hereford Colleges to ensure there is a clear
understanding of roles and responsibilities with the CHANNEL
procedure.(Appendix 3)
3.7
It is the duty of all staff members and volunteers at RNC to ensure they
understand the potential factors which make individuals more vulnerable to
exploitation. It should be remembered that just identifying these factors does
not mean that someone is being exploited but research suggests they are
more likely to be exploited.
Factors that may contribute to vulnerability include;











Being rejected by peer, faith or social group/family.
Pressure from persons linked to extremism.
Victim of or witness to race or religious hate crime.
Conflict with family over religious beliefs/lifestyle/politics.
Identity confusion.
Recent religious conversion.
Under achievement.
May possess literature related to extreme views.
Experience of poverty, disadvantage or social exclusion.
Extremist influences.
A series of traumatic events global, national or personal.
3.8
It is the duty of all staff to refer any concerns that a student may become
radicalised to a designated safeguarding officer (DSO). The DSO will examine
your concerns and may ask others for information or advice as well as
yourself, they will then decide what the most appropriate step is next.
3.9
If RNC has serious concerns about a member of staff with regard to
vulnerability to extremism then either the Principal or Head of HR will be
responsible for contacting the Counter Terrorism Team at West Mercia Police.
3.10 RNC will share information with local partners using the following criteria;



Necessity and proportionality; we will only share personal information
where it is strictly necessary; the assessment of this will include a
professional judgement of the risks to an individual or the public if
information is not shared.
Consent; wherever possible the consent of the person concerned should
be obtained before sharing any information about them.
Power to share; we must ensure we have the appropriate power to share
and satisfy the requirements of the data Protection Act 1998 & the Human
Rights Act 1998.
Appendix 1 – Prevent Strategy and Duty Action Plan
Action
By When
By Whom
Impact of Action
Date achieved
The Prevent Strategy to be included within the
College’s suite of Safeguarding Policies and
procedures. To include contact details of Prevent
Officer at Warwickshire and West Mercia Police
June 2015
MK/JP
Extremism, terrorism and radicalisation
to be treated as a safeguarding issue
in terms of internal reporting
June 2015
College’s Lead Designated Safeguarding Person
to attend seminars and to receive briefings and
information as required.
Continually
JP
To understand the Prevent Duty to
establish the necessary policies,
procedures and training throughout the
college
Ongoing
Initial Staff Development sessions for staff to
inform and provide more detail to staff of the
Prevent Strategy and their responsibilities.
September
2015
Hifsa Iqbal,
Prevent Lead
at
Department
of BI&S
Heighten awareness of staff to
recognise early signs of extremism
September
2015
PREVENT bulletin to be sent to all staff
October
2015
JP
Heighten awareness of staff to
recognise early signs of extremism
October 2015
LDSO to attend a ‘Train the Trainer’ courses for
WRAP 3 (Workshop to raise awareness of
Prevent)
December
2015
JP
To facilitate college wide delivery of
WRAP 3
Develop and implement Prevent Duty covering the
College’s responsibilities under the Prevent
Strategy
January
2016
JP/MK
To ensure strategy in place and plan of
action to adhere to Prevent Duty
Develop a risk assessment for the organisation
covering the potential risks associated with
extremism, radicalisation and terrorism. Ensure
that risks identified within the Police’s ‘Local
January
2016
JP
Risks to the College are known and
understood by Managers and
Governors
December
2015
Counter Terrorist Profile’ are included.
Establish a Prevent Sub Group of the
Safeguarding Committee to direct the strategy and
actions of the College in respect of the Prevent
Duty
January
2016
JP/MK
A focus on the Prevent Agenda to
establish appropriate policies,
procedures and actions
Review all Information Technology Policies to
ensure that the relevant elements of the Prevent
Duty are included
January
2016
E-safety
IT procedures cover Prevent issues
Ambassadors
Provide Governors with a sound understanding of
the Prevent Strategy and how they can contribute
and monitor.
February
2016
MF/JP
To provide Governors with the
information and confidence to
challenge managers and staff on how
the College is fulfilling its Prevent Duty
Provide information and guidance for staff on the
embedding of British Values into their area of work
February
2016
EDI Steering
Group
To provide staff with ideas on how to
embed British Values into their work
and curriculum
Review and improve Prevent Strategy following
consultation with West Mercia Police,
Herefordshire Council and Department of
Business, Innovation and Skills
February
2016
JP/MK
To ensure strategy in place and plan of
action to adhere to Prevent Duty in
light of external specialist input
Continue to raise student awareness of the
Prevent Agenda through College promotions and
tutorials
February
2016
All Learning
& Curriculum
areas
Students to understand the
terminology and importance of Prevent
and how it relates to them
Ensure staff and students are aware of reporting
procedures
February
2016
JP/MK and
Learning
Directors
Individuals know how to report
concerns
Provide opportunity for student discussion by
inclusion of the Prevent Agenda at a variety of
February
JP/MK and
Learning
Develop an open culture in respect of
forums including Student Rep Group, Debate club
and tutorials
2016
Directors
extremism
Include Prevent on College wide communications
February
2016
JP/MK
Provide awareness of extremism and
staff contacts for students, visitors,
governors and staff
Revise, staff induction procedures to ensure that
February
new employees are aware of the Prevent Duty, the 2016
College’s stance and their responsibilities
MK/Human
Resources
New staff aware of Prevent within all
induction activities
Briefing to all staff on 24th March 2016 (Staff
Workshop) by Principal and LDSO to continue to
raise awareness of Prevent Strategy, College
Strategy and reporting procedure.
March
2016
MF/JP
Heighten awareness of staff to Prevent
Agenda
All student facing staff to be trained to WRAP 3
(Workshop to raise awareness of Prevent) by the
LDSO
July 2016
JP/MK
All staff will be familiar with the Prevent
Agenda, terminology and Government
and Police expectations
Retain links with external agencies and in
particular DS Phil Colley, Prevent Officer,
Warwickshire and West Mercia Police, Hifsa Iqbal,
Prevent Lead at Department of Business,
Innovation and Skills and Neville Meredith,
Prevent Lead, Herefordshire Council
Continually
JP
Up to date information to inform
College actions
All College policies to be reviewed in light of
information and training received to ensure the
inclusion of the Prevent Agenda as required
In line with
policy
review
dates
MK/JP
College processes to include the
Prevent Agenda
Review the Prevent Strategy and Action Plan
annually
July 2016
Prevent Sub
Group of the
Safeguarding
Up to date, relevant and meaningful
strategy and plan in place
Committee
Revise student induction to ensure that new
students are aware of the Prevent Duty, the
College’s stance and their responsibilities
September
2016
Learning
Directors
New students aware of Prevent
Safeguarding Committee to report to Governors
the progress of the Prevent Duty
December
2016
JP/MK
Governors will be aware of the
College’s actions and intentions
Appendix 2
British Values
British values - acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values
of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance
of those with different faiths and beliefs; they develop and demonstrate skills and
attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life
in modern Britain.
Examples of the understanding and knowledge students are expected to develop
include:
 an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the
democratic process
 an understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected
in law
 an acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or
having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause
of prejudicial or discriminatory behavior
 an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting
discrimination
Examples of actions schools/colleges can take to promote British values are to:
 include in suitable parts of the curriculum - as appropriate for the age of
students - material on the strengths, advantages and disadvantages of
democracy, and how democracy and the law works in Britain, in contrast to other
forms of government in other countries
 ensure all students within the school/college have a voice that is listened to,
and demonstrate how democracy works by actively promoting democratic
processes such as a student council whose members are voted for by the
students
 use opportunities such as general or local elections to hold mock elections to
promote fundamental British values and provide students with the opportunity to
learn how to argue and defend points of view
 consider the role of extra-curricular activity, including any run directly by
students, in promoting fundamental British values
Appendix 3
CHANNEL Procedure
Warwickshire and West Mercia Police have a CHANNEL procedure in place.
The Police CHANNEL procedure is a partnership focused structure and is similar
to existing, successful initiatives which aim to support individuals and protect
them from harm - such as involvement in drug, knife or gun crime.
CHANNEL is about supporting those most at risk of being drawn into violent
extremism is about diverting people away from potential threat at an early stage which prevents them from being drawn into criminal activity.
Partnership involvement ensures that vulnerable individuals have access to a
wide range of support from diversionary activities through to providing access to
specific services such as education, housing and employment. Each multiagency panel varies according to local circumstances but partners (who are all
signed up to an Information Sharing Protocol) can include:
• Statutory partners such as education, NHS, probation, housing and the police
service
• Social Care
• Children’s services (e.g. Common Assessment Framework co-ordinators)
• Youth offending services
• Credible and reliable members of the community
RNC will engage in the CHANNEL process as necessary and will contact the
Prevent contact should it have any concerns about a student, member of staff,
Governor or visitor.
Prevent Contacts:
Neville Meredith, Prevent Lead, Herefordshire Council –
[email protected] / 01432 383628
Warwickshire and West Mercia Police Prevent Officer
Phil Colley - [email protected] / 01386 591835
or his co-worker
Manjit - [email protected] / 01386 591917