Prevent Duty

What is Prevent Strategy?

Prevent is a government strategy designed to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorist or extremist causes. The Prevent Strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups, animal rights extremists and other causes.

How does the Prevent Strategy apply to Havering Adult College?

From July 2015 all educational providers and schools (as well as other organisations) have a duty to safeguard children, young people and adults from radicalisation and extremism. This means we have a responsibility to protect our learners and others from extremist and violent views, the same way we protect them from any safeguarding concerns. The College can provide a safe place for learners to discuss these, and any other issues, so they better understand how to protect themselves and others.

What does this mean in practice?

Many of the things we already do in our courses, which help our learners to be more confident, positive and more engaged in society, also contribute to the Prevent Strategy.

These include:

• Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity, challenging prejudices and racist comments
• Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity
• Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of learners, as well as British values such as democracy

We will also protect our learners from the risk of radicalisation, for example by vetting all staff who work at the College prior to their commencement of employment; ensuring all staff are trained in safeguarding and the Prevent duty; encouraging learners and staff to challenge views and behaviours that are inappropriate; raising awareness of safeguarding and Prevent duty with all learners and staff working at Havering Adult College.

All educational establishments will carry out the Prevent duty in different ways, depending on the age and background of learners and the needs of the community.

How does Prevent relate to British values?

Schools and colleges have been required to promote British values since 2014 and this will continue to be part of our response to the Prevent Strategy.

British values include:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

The Prevent Strategy is not just about discussing extremism itself; it is also about promoting values in learners such as tolerance and mutual respect.

Is extremism really a risk in our area?

Extremism can take many forms including political, religious and misogynistic extremism. Some of these may be a bigger threat in our area than others. Given the local demography, Havering is presently considered a low risk of radicalisation, but it is acknowledged that it can often be in areas of perceived low risk that the potential for the development of extremist narratives and fundamentalist views can be introduced. The level of risk does not determine the level of vigilance.

Key Terms

• Extremism – vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values such as democracy, the rule of law and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
• Ideology – a set of beliefs.
• Terrorism – a violent action against people or property, designed to create fear and advance a political, religious or ideological cause.
• Radicalisation – the process by which a person comes to support extremism and terrorism.

External Sources

The following sources may also provide useful, further information:

Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales, HM Government

What is Prevent? Let’s Talk About It