Preventing radicalisation (PREVENT duty)
From 1st July 2015 all schools are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter Terrorist and Security Act 2015 in the exercise of their functions, to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’. This duty is known as the Prevent duty.
In order for schools and childcare providers to fulfil the prevent duty, it is essential that staff are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified. protecting children from the risk of radicalisation should be seen as part of schools’ wider safeguarding duties, and is similar in nature to protecting children from other harms (e.g. drugs, gangs, neglect, sexual exploitation), whether these come from within their family or are the product of outside influences.
Schools and childcare providers can also build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British Values and enabling them to challenge extremist views. It is important to emphasis that the prevent duty is not intended to stop pupils debating controversial issues.
On the contrary, schools should provide a safe space in which children, young people and staff can understand the risks associated with terrorism and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge extremist arguments. For Early Years childcare providers, the statutory framework for the early years Foundation Stage sets standards for learning, development and care for children from 0-5, thereby assisting their personal, social and emotional development and understanding of the world.
(Prevent Duty Guidance – DFE-011742015)
All concerns should be reported to Miss Mather, Headteacher, immediately and recorded using the ‘Notification of radicalisations Concern Form’.