Preventing radicalisation and the prevent duty
Prevent is about stopping people from being radicalised and becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
Safeguarding vulnerable people from radicalisation is no different from safeguarding from other forms of harm.
What is the Prevent duty?
Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 placed a duty on specified agencies in the exercise of their functions to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism". Sunderland has a multi-agency Prevent Co-ordination Group which ensures that the specified agencies are compliant with the duty.
Prevent toolkit for Sunderland Schools
The Prevent toolkit for sunderland schools includes ideas, resources and practical approaches to support primary and secondary school practitioners to understand the principles of the Prevent strategy and implementing the Prevent duty as part of a whole school approach. It provides schools with the necessary support to address the new Ofsted inspection framework that sets out new expectations for schools to have a clear approach to implementing the Prevent duty; have an appropriate response to risks posed by extremism; and are keeping children and learners safe from the dangers of radicalisation and extremism.
What is extremism?
Extremism is 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. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas.
What is radicalisation?
Radicalisation is a process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.
What should I do if I think someone is at risk of radicalisation?
You need to make a Prevent referral. To do this, you must follow the Prevent referral process and Sunderland's safeguarding policies and procedures.
What is the Channel Programme?
Channel is a programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.
What is CONTEST?
CONTEST is the name of the UK's Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
CONTEST is split into four work streams that are known within the counter-terrorism community as the "four P's": Prevent, Pursue, Protect, and Prepare.
- Prevent: The purpose of Prevent is to stop people from becoming drawn into or supporting terrorism. This includes countering terrorist ideology and challenging those who promote it; supporting individuals who are especially vulnerable to becoming radicalised; and working with sectors and institutions where the risk of radicalisation is assessed to be high.
- Pursue: The purpose of Pursue is to stop terrorist attacks by detecting, prosecuting and otherwise disrupting those who plot to carry out attacks against the UK or its interests overseas.
- Protect: The purpose of Protect is to strengthen protection against a terrorist attack in the UK or against its interests overseas and so reduce their vulnerability. The work focuses on border security, the transport system, national infrastructure and public places.
- Prepare: The purpose of Prepare is to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack where that attack cannot be stopped. This includes work to bring a terrorist attack to an end and to increase the UK's resilience so we can recover from its aftermath.
Useful Contact Numbers
- Anti- Terrorist Hotline Tel:0800 789 321
- Northumbria Police's Prevent Team Tel: 101 extension 63854 or email specialbranch@northumbria.pnn.police.uk
- Integrated Contact and Referral Team (Together for Children) Contact Us
- Adult Safeguarding (Contact Health and wellbeing) or make an online referral.
- Department of Education Counter Extremism helpline Tel: 020 7340 7264 to enable staff and governors to raise concerns relating to extremism directly. Concerns can also be raised by email to counter.extremism@education.gsi.gov.uk
If someone is at immediate risk of harm, the matter should be reported to the police straight away on 999 or by calling the Anti-Terrorist hotline on the number above.
How do I report online terrorist or extremist content?
If you've come across a website or online content (including emails, forums or social media) that you feel is of a violent extremist or terrorist nature, please report it using the UK government's quick and anonymous online tool.
Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism (opens new window)
Specialist officers will assess your information and, where appropriate, investigate the website and work with partners to remove it.
Of course, if you suspect an immediate danger please call 999 now.
Possible terrorist activity
If you've seen or heard something that could suggest a terrorist threat to the UK, even if it seems minor or not worth mentioning, trust your instincts and ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) by reporting it. Any piece of information could be important, it's better to be safe and report. Your information could save a life.
Is it an emergency?
If you suspect an immediate danger, please move away and call 999 now.
How can I report?
Reporting is quick and easy.
You can report in confidence online via our secure form (opens new window).
The MET Police also host an online reporting tool (opens new window) on behalf of all UK police forces.
Alternatively, you can call the Anti-Terrorism Hotline confidentially on 0800 789 321. All reports are kept confidential and you can report anonymously.
In an emergency always call 999.
External Links
The Prevent Strategy (opens new window)
The Prevent duty guidance (opens new window)
The Prevent duty: Departmental advice for schools and childcare providers (opens new window)
Home Office Prevent e-learning (opens new window)
The Channel Duty Guidance (opens new window)
On-line general awareness raising on Channel (opens new window)
Home Office Approved Resources: Prevent Training Catalogue (opens new window)
The Government’s CONTEST Strategy (opens new window)
Keeping Children Safe in Education: Statutory guidance for schools and colleges (opens new window)
Sunderland’s Child protection/child in need/child care concern Referral Form (opens new window)
Adults Safeguarding referrals and click on 'information for employees and volunteers' and download the safeguarding adult concern (SAC) form and submit it.
PSHE Association guidance on the management of sensitive issues (opens new window)
Guidance on promoting British values in schools (opens new window) - strengthened guidance on improving the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils.
The Department of Education "Educate against hate" (opens new window) website offers parents, teachers and school leaders practical advice to protect children from dangers of extremism, drawing on resources and guidance designed by the government and charities such as the NSPCC and Childnet.
Show Racism the Red Card educates and encourages young people and adults in school to challenge and prevent racism. Contact: Show Racism the Red Card Head Office on 0191 257 8591 or email info@theredcard.org.
The UK Safer Internet Centre (opens new window) has tips, advice, guides and resources for parents, carers, teachers and other professionals to help keep children and young people safe online.
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