Prevent Duty

Guide to Prevent

Prevent is part of the Government’s counter-terrorist  strategy known as CONTEST.

From 1 July 2015 the Prevent duty became law. This is a duty on all schools and registered early years providers to have due regard to preventing people being drawn into terrorism.

Prevent aims to reduce the risk we face from terrorism, by stopping people becoming radicalised  or supporting terrorism.  

The strategy promotes collaboration and co-operation among organisations, in order to provide support to vulnerable individuals.

The strategy is made up of four work streams, or four Ps:

PROTECT

PREPARE

PERSUE

PREVENT

The school is involved with the fourth P which is PREVENT. 

PREVENT OBJECTIVES

Objective 1

Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it.

Objective 2

Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support.

Objective 3

Work with sectors and individuals where there are risks of radicalisation which we need to address.   Possible radicalising organisations include Al Qaida, far right groups,  IRA, animal rights campaigners or any other groups or individuals who may oppose government  policy by acts of terrorism.

What does this mean for Four Lanes Infant School?

At Four Lanes Infant School, we put the children at the core of all we do, this includes Safeguarding our children.

Our school is an inclusive community which actively promotes mutual respect.  The well being of our children comes first for us.   Through teaching a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of our pupils we are preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.

In order to protect children in our care, we must be alert to any reason for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere. This includes awareness of the expression of extremist views.  Prevent does not require you to do anything in addition to your normal duties.   If you have any concerns that a vulnerable child is being exploited you can raise your concern in accordance with the school’s Child Protection Policy and Safeguarding Policy.

Possible indicators that an individual is involved with an extremist group or cause:

· changes in style of dress

· changes in appearance

· losing interest in friends

· unexplained absence

· behaviour becoming focused on an extreme idea of cause

· possession of materials or symbols associated with an extremist cause

· spending increasing time in the company of other suspected extremists

· attempting to disseminate radicalising materials or images.

What are we doing in school?

Promotion of fundamental British Values

Referral of any concerns

Education for staff and children

Vigilant staff 

Environment—safe and secure

News—monitoring for any concerns in locality

Training of staff to raise awareness of the signs and risks

Dealing with a safeguarding concern

Report any concerns to the DSL (Headteacher) or Deputy DSL (Deputy Headteacher). Any child who is considered vulnerable to  radicalisation will be referred by the DSL to Hampshire children’s social care, where the concerns will be considered in the MASH process. If the police prevent officer considers the information to be indicating a level of risk a “channel panel” will be convened and the school will attend and support this process.

Useful numbers:

Hampshire Children’s Services:

0300 5551381

Hampshire Police

101 or 999