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What is Prevent?
The Prevent duty forms section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 which placed a statutory duty on seven “specified authorities” to have: “due regard to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.
The Prevent duty has three main objectives:
- Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat faced from those who promote it
- Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and give them advice and support
- Work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation
The Office for Students is the monitoring body for Prevent for HE providers. Additionally, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) is the monitoring body for Prevent for Kent’s Higher Apprenticeship provision.
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|University Response
- At the University of Kent, the Prevent duty is considered mainly in the context of our Safeguarding and Duty of Care Policy.
- We have systems for assessing and mitigating risks around external speakers and events on campus, while maintaining the existing duty to promote freedom of speech
- The University of Kent’s Prevent Steering Group is responsible for overseeing the University’s response to its obligations under the 2015 Counter Terrorism and Security Act.
- We have a risk assessment and action plan in place which is updated annually.
- A data return and accountability statement are submitted annually to the Office for Students.
- University representation on the Kent Prevent Duty Delivery Board.
- We provide in house training sessions to increase staff awareness of Prevent.
Risk Assessment and Action Plan
In accordance with the statutory guidance for higher education providers we have a risk assessment and action plan which will be reviewed regularly and is subject to monitoring and enforcement. These were last updated in November 2019.
Training
Prevent is an aspect of the University’s wider Safeguarding and Welfare agenda and we aim to continue to assist student facing staff in being able to recognise this type of grooming, to give them added confidence in identifying extremist views or behaviour, should they arise. Our Prevent Safeguarding Awareness training sessions are facilitated by the University's Centre for Child Protection. The training is focused on a simulation game, Behind Closed Doors which aims to teach users to spot signs of radicalisation in young people.
The next training session is taking place on Wednesday 11th March 2020, 10am-12.30pm on our Canterbury Campus. If you are interested in attending please contact Jess Sutherland – prevent@kent.ac.uk
Any member of staff who would like to learn more about Prevent is also welcome to access a Home Office training package which provides a useful introduction to Prevent for all staff. The Safe Campus Communities website also provides guidance and resources around the Prevent agenda for HE institutions.
Contact/Information
In the event that an individual was considered to be at risk a Designated Safeguarding Officer would be the first point of contact. The procedure if you have a concern reagrding an individual is outlined in the Safeguarding and Duty of Care policy which can be found here.
If you have any other questions or concerns around Prevent, please contact David Powell (Policy Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor) and Jess Sutherland (PA to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Prevent Officer) via prevent@kent.ac.uk