Safeguarding
New Prevent Duty Guidance: What It Means for Our School
As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding and ensuring the safety and well-being of our school community, it is important to inform you about the recent republishing of the Prevent duty guidance, which came into effect on Sunday, 31 December 2023. This guidance plays a crucial role in our collective efforts to prevent individuals from becoming involved in terrorism or supporting terrorist activities.
Understanding the Prevent Duty
The Prevent duty is a statutory requirement for specified authorities—including educational institutions, health services, local authorities, and law enforcement agencies—to aid in the prevention of terrorism. This involves identifying potential risks and taking the necessary steps to mitigate them.
The “Notice, Check, Share” Procedure
When a concern regarding an individual’s susceptibility to terrorism is identified, it is essential to follow the “notice, check, share” procedure. This involves using the Prevent national referral form to submit information to Prevent, where it is assessed by specialist police officers and staff. This assessment, known as a gateway assessment, determines whether the individual should be considered for support through Prevent and possibly referred to the Channel programme.
Channel Programme
Channel is a key component of the Prevent strategy, offering a multi-agency approach to support individuals at risk of being drawn into terrorism. Consent is required from the individual, or their parent/legal guardian if they are under 18, before any support can be provided. The aim is to safeguard vulnerable people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.
Our School’s Approach
In response to this guidance, our school is dedicated to maintaining robust safeguarding policies that effectively identify and support individuals at risk of radicalisation. This includes:
- Regular Staff Training: Ensuring that all staff members receive regular training on Prevent matters, at least once every two years, to stay informed on how to identify and support at-risk individuals.
- Safeguarding Policies: Implementing proportionate and appropriate safeguarding policies to manage the risk of radicalisation, including clear procedures for raising concerns and making Prevent referrals.
Conclusion
Our school recognises the importance of the Prevent duty in safeguarding our students, staff, and wider community from the risks associated with terrorism. By staying informed and prepared, we can contribute to the prevention of terrorism and support the well-being of all individuals within our care.
For further information on the Channel programme and Prevent duty, please visit the official government website at gov.uk.
