The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act (July 2015) requires the proprietors of educational facilities to "have due regard, in the exercise of their functions, to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism". This is known as the 'Prevent Duty'.

This policy has therefore been developed in accordance with the principles established by the “Counter Terrorism and Security Act July (2015)” and also “The Children Acts 1989 and 2004”; “The Education Act 2002”, and in line with government publications “Revised Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales (2019)”, “The Use of Social Media for on-line radicalisation (July 2015)”, “Working Together to Safeguard Children (Dec 2020 )”, Revised Safeguarding Statutory Guidance 2, Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (2000) and “What to do if you are worried a Child is being Abused (March 2015)”. 

This policy should be read in conjunction with the EDClass Child Protection Policy and Safeguarding Adults Policy. The Prevent Duty should be seen as part of our existing safeguarding framework.

Definition

For the purposes of this policy the definition of radical or extreme ideology is “a set of ideas which could justify vilification or violence against individuals, centres or self”.

Aims

• To ensure all staff understand the risks of radicalisation within EDClass and how this risk may change from time to time.
• To ensure staff are aware of the Prevent Strategy and are able to protect children and young people who are vulnerable or may be at risk of being radicalised.
• Whilst following the Prevent Strategy EDClass also maintains its mission for diversity to be a core part of all that it does. EDClass places a strong emphasis on the common values that all communities share such as self-respect, understanding, tolerance and the sanctity of life. Learners are taught to respect and value diversity as well as understand how to make safe, well-considered decisions.

Prevent Leads

Cara Radford is Office Manager and Designated Safeguarding/Prevent Lead

Paige Bell is the deputy Designated Safeguarding/Prevent Lead. 

Vulnerability to radicalisation or extreme viewpoints from the internet

EDClass recognises its duty to protect all learners from indoctrination into any form of extreme ideology which may lead to the harm of self or others. 
This is particularly important because of the electronic information available through the internet EDClass will therefore aim to do the following:

 Educate learners on the appropriate use of social media and the dangers of downloading and sharing inappropriate material including that which is illegal under the Counter-Terrorism Act.
 Educate learners through lessons on the concepts of radicalisation and extreme ideology.
 Inform learners on the importance of Internet Safety both through the ICT lessons and PHSE lessons. 
 In order to safeguard learners from staff who may have extreme or radical views EDClass will:
 Ensure all staff employed by EDClass are carefully vetted and take immediate action if any individual is perceived to be attempting to influence any learners, either physically or electronically.

In order to fulfil the requirements of the Prevent Duty EDClass will:

 Ensure the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) undertakes Prevent awareness training and is able to provide advice and support to other members of staff on protecting children from the risk of radicalisation.
 Ensure all staff are trained to be vigilant in spotting signs of extremist views and behaviours and that they always report anything to the DSL that may suggest a learner, another staff member or a visitor is expressing opinions that may cause concern. Staff should follow the usual reporting procedures as for any other safeguarding concern as laid out in the EDClass Child Protection Policy. 
 Ensure all staff are aware of how to identify and respond to risks to children from extreme or radical views.

Curriculum

EDClass ensures all learners are offered broad and balanced lessons delivered by skilled and qualified teachers that aim to prepare learners for life, encouraging them to be inquisitive learners who are understanding and become tolerant of difference and diversity, whilst also ensuring that they thrive, feel valued and are not marginalised. 

Personal, Social, Health and Economics lessons are an effective way of providing learners with time to explore sensitive or controversial issues and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to understand and manage difficult situations. However, EDClass ensures that embedded within the lessons are opportunities for learners to build resilience to extremism and enable them to develop a positive sense of identity through the development of critical thinking skills. 

EDClass values freedom of speech and the expression of beliefs/ideology as fundamental rights underpinning society’s values. Learners and staff are encouraged to speak freely and voice their opinions. However, there is an understanding that freedom comes with responsibility and free speech that is designed to manipulate the vulnerable or that leads to violence and harm to others goes against the moral principles in which freedom of speech is valued

Risk Assessments

The DSL is responsible for carrying out regular risk assessments to assess the risks of learners being drawn into terrorism, including support for extremist ideas that are part of terrorist ideology.

Managing Referrals & Working in Partnership

Any learner who is deemed to be at risk of being radicalised or extremism will be referred by the DSL as appropriate through the Local Authority Channel Referral and Intervention processes.
EDClass will then work in partnership with the relevant agencies to seek advice, support and guidance drawing on multi-agency expertise, to support learners at risk of harm.