Prevent Duty Policy
Prevent Duty Policy
(May 2021)
Eynsford College understands its responsibilities under the Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015 to prevent people of all ages being radicalised or drawn into terrorism and seeks to meet its obligations in the ways shown below.
Eynsford College accepts students aged 18+ throughout the year and from many different countries around the world. The school has always promoted a multi-cultural environment where respect for and tolerance of others beliefs is required.
Responsibility for ensuring Prevent Duty is met is with Welfare Officer.
Responsibility for the Prevent risk assessment/action plan and policy lies with Managing Director. Their duties are to ensure delivery of an effective risk assessment/action plan and policy as outlined here.
A risk assessment/action plan has been produced showing what is already being done and what still needs to be done; it will be reviewed and updated at least annually.
Working with local partners
Eynsford College will make and maintain contact with local authority Prevent coordinator to understand their role and support available.
Eynsford College will share information with all local organisations as appropriate.
Local authority Prevent team contact details:
Westminster City Council Prevent Team
Email: prevent@westminster.gov.uk
Tel: 0207 641 6032
Terminology
Radicalisation: act or process of making a person more radical or favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind.
Extremism*: holding extreme political or religious views which may deny right to any group or individual. Can be expressed in vocal or active opposition to – Core British values: including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and respectful tolerance of different faiths or beliefs.
* NB: extremism can refer to a range of views, e.g. racism, homophobia, right-wing ideology, as well as any religious extremism.
Risks
Staff, students & other adults (group leaders, etc) may arrive at school already holding extremist views. Or, whilst part of the school, they may be influenced by a range of factors: global events, peer pressure, media, family views, extremist materials via hardcopy or online, inspirational speakers, friends or relatives being harmed, social networks. People who are vulnerable are more likely to be influenced. Their vulnerability could stem from a range of causes: loss of identity or sense of belonging, isolation, exclusion, mental health problems, sense of injustice, personal crisis, victim of hate crime or discrimination, bereavement.
Ways to counteract risks
Safe and supportive international environment will be promoted via clear expectations of accepted behaviours and those, including radicalisation and extremism that will not be tolerated.
Core British values will be promoted through documents given to students, notices around school, classes on British culture & traditions via curriculum. Eynsford College will challenge radical or extremist views in any context (formal or informal) via stated procedures.
Eynsford College will be ready to react when world or local events (e.g. Paris attacks) cause upset and the likelihood of conflicting feelings being expressed. Prevent lead will initiative in these situations. There will be clear rules on accessing extremist/ terrorist websites/use of social networks to exchange extremist/terrorist views. Eynsford College will ensure that extremist speakers do not use premises to distribute material or expound views.
Staff will get to know students, their home circumstances and friendship groups. Through knowing students well, it is easier to spot changes in behaviour. Staff is observant and vigilant in noticing any signs of radical or extremist behaviour. Welfare will support any students identified as vulnerable.
Training
Documents & face to face training ensure staff understand this policy, i.e.
- understand context and expectations of Prevent
- their duty to implement the policy
- understand terminology and risks associated with radicalisation and extremism iv) how to identify and support vulnerable students
- ways the school will counteract the risks,
- signs to notice that may cause concern
- know the lead Prevent person and procedures for communicating concerns
- know the importance of their own behaviour and professionalism in being exemplars of British values and not discussing inflammatory subjects with students .
- Students and group leaders must be made aware of key parts of the policy:
- understanding terminology
- importance of maintaining a supportive and tolerant society within school
- what core British values are and why they are considered important
- that they must report any concerns/incidents
Signs that may cause concern
- Students talking about exposure to extremist materials or views outside school
- Changes in behaviour, e.g. becoming isolated
- Fall in standard of work, poor attendance, disengagement
- Changes in attitude, e.g. intolerant of differences /having closed mind
- Asking questions about certain topics (e.g. connected to extremism)
- Offering opinions that appear to have come from extremist ideologies
- Attempts to impose own views/beliefs on others
- Use of extremist vocabulary to exclude others or incite violence
- Accessing extremist material online or via social network sites
- Overt new religious practices
- Drawings or posters (e.g. in accommodation) showing extremist ideology/views/ symbols
- NB: Any concerns relating to a person under 18 are safeguarding issues and should be dealt with by safeguarding staff (if different from Prevent staff) and, where necessary, the LSCB contacted.
All members of staff must ensure any concern or incident, however small, are reported to the lead person. All concerns will be dealt with sensitivity, carefully and in confidence.
