Prevent:
What is Prevent?
As of the 1st July 2015 all schools and registered childcare providers are subject to a duty to, in the exercise of their functions, have 'due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism'. This is called the Prevent Duty.
The aim of the PREVENT Duty is to identify individuals at risk of being drawn into extremism, assess the nature and extent of that risk and develop the most appropriate support for the individuals concerned.
“In order for schools and childcare providers to fulfil the Prevent duty, it is essential that staff are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified. Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation should be seen as part of schools’ and childcare providers’ wider safeguarding duties, and is similar in nature to protecting children from other harms (e.g. drugs, gangs, neglect, sexual exploitation), whether these come from within their family or are the product of outside influences. Schools and childcare providers can also build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values and enabling them to challenge extremist views. It is important to emphasise that the Prevent duty is not intended to stop pupils debating controversial issues. On the contrary, schools should provide a safe space in which children, young people and staff can understand the risks associated with terrorism and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge extremist arguments.'
(Prevent Duty, June 2015)
At Rillington Primary School this is seen as part of our school's wider safeguarding duties and is consistent with our other responsibilities in this area. The procedures we follow are set out in our Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy (which can be found in the Policies section).
As part of our wider safeguarding duties, we recognise that it is essential that we are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified. All relevant staff undertake online CPD provided by the Home Office on identification of children vulnerable to radicalisation and the PREVENT strategy every three years. Updates are provided through team meetings sharing relevant government updates and case studies.
Further information on this and how to discuss it with your child can be found by clicking here:
https://educateagainsthate.com/parents/
How is Prevent Relevant to our Community?
Rillington is a predominantly white community and you may not see the relevance of the Prevent Duty for our school. However, as a parent, you need to be aware that individuals and a wide variety of groups with extremist views use the internet and social media to spread their ideologies.
Children spend a lot of time online, and this has made them more susceptible to extremism, whether from Islamists or white far right extremist groups.
Extremism and radicalisation are a world wide threat and starting education about them at an early age and equipping parents and children with the right information and tools is one of the ways we can tackle them.
Reporting concerns:
If you are concerned that somebody close to you is expressing extreme views or hatred, which could lead them to harming themselves or others; please report your concerns by visiting the website below...