Radicalisation/Extremism

Prevent is part of our counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST.

Its aim is to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

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Within this overall framework the new Prevent strategy will specifically:

• respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it;

• prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support; and

• work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation which we need to address.

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As part of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, schools have a duty to ‘prevent people being drawn into terrorism’. This has become known as the ‘Prevent Duty’.

Where staff are concerned that children and young people are developing extremist views or show signs of becoming radicalized, they should discuss this with the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

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What is Prevent? Prevent is the Government’s strategy to stop people becoming involved in violent extremism or supporting terrorism, in all its forms. Prevent works within the non-criminal space, using early engagement to encourage individuals and communities to challenge violent extremist ideologies and behaviours.

What is Channel? Channel is an early intervention multi-agency process designed to safeguard vulnerable people from being drawn into violent extremist or terrorist behaviour. Channel works in a similar way to existing safeguarding partnerships aimed at protecting vulnerable people.
 

Who does Channel work with? Channel is designed to work with individuals of any age who are at risk of being exploited by extremist or terrorist ideologues. The process is shaped around the circumstances of each person and can provide support for any form of radicalisation or personal vulnerabilities.

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What does Channel support look like? Channel interventions are delivered through local partners and specialist agencies. The support may focus on a person’s vulnerabilities around health, education, employment or housing, as well as specialist mentoring or faith guidance and broader diversionary activities such as sport. Each support package is tailored to the person and their particular circumstances.
 

How will the person be involved in this process? A person will always be informed first if it’s felt that they would benefit from Channel support. The process is voluntary and their consent would be needed before taking part in the process. This process is managed carefully by the Channel Panel.
 

Who can make a referral? Anyone can make a referral. Referrals come from a wide range of partners including education, health, youth offending teams, police and social services.
 

What happens with the referral? Referrals are first screened for suitability through a preliminary assessment by the Channel Coordinator and the local authority. If suitable, the case is then discussed at a Channel panel of relevant partners to decide if support is necessary.
 

Raising a concern. If you believe that someone is vulnerable to being exploited or radicalised, please use the established safeguarding or duty of care procedures within your organisation to escalate your concerns to the appropriate leads, who can raise concerns to Channel if appropriate.

For referrals to Channel or for more information around the process, in the first instance contact your local authority Prevent Coordinator.

Channel

Tel: 0151 777 8383

Email: Channel@merseyside.police.uk

Merseyside Police Prevent Engagement Team

Tel: 0151 777 8556

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Liverpool Local Authority Prevent Coordinator

Tel: 0151 233 4187

Email: Sue.harris@liverpool.gov.uk

If you are concerned about extremism in a school or organisation that works with children or young people, or if you think a child might be at risk of extremism, contact the Government helpline.

Government Helpline (Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm)

Tel: 020 7340 7264

Email: counter.extremism@education.gov.uk

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The Designated Safeguarding Lead has received training about the Prevent Duty and tackling extremism and is able to support staff with any concerns they may have.

Ofsted will monitor compliance with this duty as part of their existing remit to inspect publicly-funded further education colleges and independent training providers.

UKCCIS Guidance: Sexting in schools and colleges, responding to incidents, and safeguarding young people (2016)

In cases of ‘sexting’ we follow guidance given to schools and colleges by the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) published in August 2016: ‘Sexting in schools and colleges, responding to incidents, and safeguarding young people’.

Staff should be aware that safeguarding issues can manifest themselves via peer on peer abuse. This is most likely to include, but not limited to: bullying (including cyber bullying), gender based violence/sexual assaults and sexting.

Abuse is abuse and should never be tolerated or passed off as “banter” or “part of growing up”. Different gender issues can be prevalent when dealing with peer on peer abuse. This could for example include girls being sexually touched/assaulted or boys being subject to initiation-type violence.

At TSL we believe that all learners have a right to attend and learn in a safe environment. Learners should be free from harm by adults and other students.

We recognise that some students will sometimes negatively affect the learning and wellbeing of others and their behaviour will be dealt with under the Behaviour Policy.

Any questions, queries or concerns relating to our Prevent Duty & Policy, the standards or requirements detailed within, should be directed in the first instance to your line Manager.

Training Strategies’ Prevent Duty & Policy is a living document, its relevance will be assessed on an annual basis by the Quality Director. If appropriate, the policy will be amended, to reflect the ongoing requirements of our business, its staff and our sector and legislative or industry updates and changes.

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Information Links:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance

www.gov.uk/government/publications/counter-terrorism-strategy-contest-2018

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