Prevent in Schools
Why is Prevent in schools important?
- Hounslow Council has a Statutory Duty to protect vulnerable children:
"The Prevent Duty in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 on specified authorities, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism." - Children and young people can easily be exposed to extremist ideology.
Research suggests they are the most targeted group by radicalisers, this information can be found on the statistical published document - 'Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent programme, April 2016 to March 2017'. This can make it difficult for young people to develop and grow within their social and educational life. This also poses a risk that our young people could potentially be groomed to support or partake in an act deemed to be an Act of Terrorism. - Schools play a crucial role in safeguarding children. The Governments guidance sets out to acknowledge this in the publication: 'Keeping Children Safe in Education'
- Channel is the government programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism
Between April 2007 and the end of March 2014, they received a total of 1450 referrals for young people under 18 years of age at the time they were referred.' - National Channel Referral Figures, ACPO
Areas of policy and procedures that education establishments should be aware of.
In the light of recent terrorist related activities, and the requirements of the Prevent Duty, it may be useful for schools to review their safeguarding policies and procedures and ensure they contain some or all of the following elements:
- Does your school's safe-guarding and child protection policies need updating? Remember they must recognise and highlight how you will tackle any potential risk/s from radicalisation or violent extremism.
- Are your teaching staff able to recognise when a pupil might be at risk of engaging in violent extremist activity or be coerced / groomed into engaging with extremist type ideology? Would your staff know whom to contact in the first instance for advice and be confident to engage with the young person?
- Is there a possibility that pupils and staff could un-intentionally be exposed to extremism or extremist activity, through internet and social media or through access to unvetted external visitors and speakers?
- Further guidance can be found in this Government Toolkit which provides practical information and examples of best practice to support local authorities and their partners in their work to protect vulnerable people from radicalisation
Prevent Toolkit for schools
The Council’s Prevent Team have put together a comprehensive new Prevent Toolkit for schools.
This document will support all of Hounslow’s education establishments with the teaching and raising awareness of the Government’s Prevent Duty and it provides a useful starting point for learning about Prevent.
Download the new document here
Our dedicated Prevent Education Officer can assist education establishments with:
- Staff training
- Developing teaching resources
- Safeguarding policies
- Delivering assemblies and students workshops
- Guidance and advice on referrals
- Accessing prevent funded projects
- Briefings and updates on recent threat and trends
To access these services please contact Hounslow’s Prevent Education Officer : karmjit.rekhi@hounslow.gov.uk
What support is available?
Hounslow’s Prevent and Counter Extremism team are able to offer advice and support for education establishments in a number of ways including :
- The offer of FREE training including WRAP4 for all staff – delivered by highly skilled and experienced staff.
- Access to current educational tools such as Educate Against Hate and the London Grid for Learning
- Support to schools in carrying out a review of existing safeguarding (Prevent) policies and procedures to ensure they comply with the Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015 – Prevent Duty
- Support for schools in the adaptation of the curriculum to address the emerging issues / threats Access to the Prevent and Counter Extremism team who can support with key issues around radicalisation, extremism, cohesion and Counter extremist behaviours.
Hounslow’s Prevent and Counter Extremism Team
- Community Inclusion & Participation Manager, Prevent & Counter Extremism Lead: Joan Conlon
joan.conlon@hounslow.gov.uk
07817 079190 - Prevent Education Officer; Karmjit Rekhi
karmjit.rekhi@hounslow.gov.uk
07976 721119 - Prevent Coordinator: Najeeb Ahmed
najeeb.ahmed@hounslow.gov.uk
07890 540433
