Prevent Strategy

Our College recognises the duties placed on us by the Counter Terrorism Bill (July 2015) to prevent our students being drawn into terrorism.

The updated and strengthened CONTEST Strategy was launched in June 2018.

Prevent has been reviewed in Feb 2023 by William Shawcross and the conclusion is that it must return to its overarching objective: to stop individuals from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

The aim of CONTEST is to reduce the risk to the UK and its citizens and interests overseas from terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.

The CONTEST Strategy consists of the following four work stands:

  1. Prevent: To stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
  2. Pursue: To stop terrorist attacks.
  3. Protect: To strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack.
  4. Prepare: To mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack

The Prevent Strategy recognises that there is no socio-demographic profile of a terrorist in the UK, and no single pathway or ‘conveyor belt’, leading to terrorism.

The aim of Prevent is to safeguard and support those vulnerable to radicalisation, to stop them from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. The strategy also includes supporting the rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved in terrorism. The full CONTEST Strategy, including an overview of Prevent, can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/contest

Our College is committed to actively promoting the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; the students are encouraged to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

There is a current threat from terrorism in the UK and this can include the exploitation of vulnerable young people, aiming to involve them in terrorism or to be active in supporting terrorism.

Our College seeks to protect children and young people against the messages of all violent extremism including, but not restricted to, those linked to Islamic Ideology, Far Right / Neo Nazi / White Supremacist ideology etc.

Prevent works best when delivered in partnership with communities as cohesive and empowered communities are better equipped to reject extremist ideologies. We will therefore continue to develop and grow our network of community groups delivering Prevent based initiatives across both the County and City. We will work in partnership with relevant agencies and organisations including those established by the regional Prevent Officer.

We will also conduct appropriate staff training and ensure appropriate online filtering. The College has a Prevent risk assessment and action plan which is updated annually.

Concerns of a Prevent nature should be referred to a member of the Safeguarding Team who will inform the DSL. Prevent and Channel referrals will be made as necessary. They will also consider whether circumstances require Police to be contacted.

What makes someone vulnerable to radicalisation?

  • Low self-esteem
  • Victimisation
  • Guilt
  • Loss
  • Lack of trust
  • Isolation
  • Family breakdown
  • Charismatic leader
  • Lack of theological understanding
  • Mental health problems
  • Sense of worth
  • Social exclusion
  • Fear
  • Lack of purpose
  • Unemployment
  • Political grievance
  • Peer pressure
  • Anger / desire for revenge

How our students are vulnerable:

  • Easily manipulated
  • Trusting of others
  • Led or befriended
  • Unsupervised at times / independent use of the internet
  • Limited understanding of consequences

Assessing the risk:

Consider:

  • Engagement – a person’s susceptibilities, motivations, and influences.
  • Intent – is the individual ready to use violence to promote their views?
  • Capability – do they have the skills, resources, and networks to commit acts of terrorism?

How does radicalisation happen?

  • Develops from a friendship.
  • Attention may make them feel special.
  • Threat of exclusion.
  • Desire for self-belonging / worth.

Approved by: Trustees
Last Updated: September 2023
Staff Lead: Designated Safeguarding Lead