Prevent Duty and Radicalisation policy
Extremism – the Prevent Duty
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) defines extremism. It states “Extremism goes beyond terrorism and includes people who target the vulnerable – including the young – by seeking to sow division between communities on the basis of race, faith or denomination; justify discrimination towards women and girls; persuade others that minorities are inferior; or argue against the primacy of democracy and the rule of law in our society.
Extremism is defined in the Counter Extremism Strategy 2015 as the vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also regard calls for the death of members of our armed forces as extremist”
Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 we have a duty to safeguard at risk or vulnerable children under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have “due regard” to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and refer any concerns of extremism to the police
City of London: email the Prevent Team or call them on 020 7601 2442 (lines are open 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday).
Westminster: the Prevent Team can provide support and advice to educational institutions as well as to a wide range of public sector bodies, health care professionals, community organisations and members of the public. Email: prevent@westminster.gov.uk 0781 705 4759
Canada Water: prevent@southwark.gov.uk
You can also call the national police Prevent advice line 0800 011 3764, in confidence, to share your concerns with our specially trained officers. If it's an emergency, please call 999.
Children can be exposed to different views and receive information from various sources. Some of these views may be considered radical or extreme. Radicalisation is the way a person comes to support or be involved in extremism and terrorism. It’s a gradual process so young people who are affected may not realise what’s happening.
Radicalisation is a form of harm. The process may involve:
- Being groomed online or in person
- Exploitation, including sexual exploitation
- Psychological manipulation
- Exposure to violent material and other inappropriate information
- The risk of physical harm or death through extremist acts.
Alongside this we will be alert to any early signs in children and families who may be at risk of radicalisation, on which we will act and document all concerns when reporting further.
The NSPCC states that signs of radicalisation may be:
- isolating themselves from family and friends
- talking as if from a scripted speech
- unwillingness or inability to discuss their views
- a sudden disrespectful attitude towards others
- increased levels of anger
- increased secretiveness, especially around internet use.
We will tackle radicalisation by:
- Training all staff to understand what is meant by the Prevent Duty and radicalisation
- Ensuring staff understand how to recognise early indicators of potential radicalisation and terrorism threats and act on them appropriately in line with national and local procedures
- Make any referrals relating to extremism to the police (or the Government helpline) in a timely way, sharing relevant information as appropriate
- Ensure our nursery is an inclusive environment, tackle inequalities and negative points of view and teach children about tolerance through British Values
- Using the Government document Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales.[1]
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance