Prevent is one part of the government’s overall counter-terrorism strategy. The aim of Prevent is to:
There is a duty on specified public authorities, which includes universities, to ‘have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
Government Guidance requires that universities have in place policies for governance, engagement, external speakers and events, the training of staff, welfare and pastoral care, and IT usage. It also makes clear that the approach to Prevent should be reasonable and proportionate.
Our approach to Prevent is primarily one of Safeguarding the welfare of our students and staff.
The University recognises its duty to prevent anyone at risk from being drawn into terrorism is no different from safeguarding individuals or assisting anyone with any other type of welfare need. You will find the University Safeguarding and Duty of Care Policy here.
Our approach emphasises the use of existing university processes providing welfare, support and advice to students or staff.
This is not about identifying extremism but about general behaviour changes that may indicate individuals requiring many different types of further support.
Any concerns about a student or staff member, whatever their nature, go through a Designated Safeguarding Officer. This removes the pressure on a member of staff to try to work out whether their concern is Prevent related or perhaps connected to other vulnerabilities. It also enables staff to receive correct advice and ensure that the student or staff member is signposted to the right kind of support.
Should it not be possible to resolve a concern using internal university processes, an individual may be referred to ‘Channel’, a multi-agency programme that focusses on providing support to people identified as vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism before their vulnerabilities are exploited by people drawing them into harm. Support could include counselling or faith-based guidance. It is not a criminal matter and is led in Kent by Kent County Council (KCC).
If there is sufficient evidence of concern that a student or staff member may be at risk of being radicalised, the University has a legal duty to refer that individual to Channel. An individual would only be so referred with the concurrence of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Education and Student Experience.
The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression within the law. The University code of practice concerning Freedom of Speech, External Speakers and Events can be found here. The University Ordinance on Academic Freedom can be found here.
The procedures for Student and Kent Union bookings for external speaker events are here.
The University Council sets a high bar in favour of academic freedom and freedom of expression. Wherever possible an event that might give rise to Prevent concerns will be mitigated rather than stopped.
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. The University Prevent Training Policy is here.
All members of staff are required to complete the Government Prevent awareness on Moodle. Students, including apprentices, are also welcome to access this course.
Certain Key staff are required to have greater familiarisation with Prevent and should attend a face to face course. Our Prevent Safeguarding Awareness training sessions are facilitated by the University's Centre for Child Protection. The training is focused on an online training tool, Behind Closed Doors which aims to teach users to spot signs of radicalisation in young people.
You can also find out more from the UK Home Office Prevent duty animation here. The Safe Campus Communities website also provides guidance and resources around the Prevent agenda for HE institutions.
If you would you like to find out more about training please contact prevent@kent.ac.uk.
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.
The PSG agrees an annual Risk Assessment and Action Plan and is responsible for approving an annual report to Council as the basis for the University return to the Office for Students.
The Counter Terrorism and Security Act (CTSA) was passed in 2015 and all specified authorities in England and Wales became subject to the new Prevent Duty on 18 September 2015.
Read further information from the Department of Education on
the Prevent Duty.
Compliance with the Prevent Duty is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS)
which has responsibility for assessing how providers meet the requirements
under the duty. Matters which affect compliance with the Prevent Duty are
considered reportable events by the OfS.
The Education Act (No 2) 1986 imposes a positive and proactive legal duty on universities (Section 43) to promote and protect freedom of speech on campus, and states that the only constraints on the duty to secure freedom of speech are those imposed by the law.
This duty includes a responsibility to ensure that the use of university premises is not denied to any individual or group on the grounds of the belief or views of that individual or any member of that group or on the grounds of the policy or objectives of the group.
The European Convention on Human Rights safeguards freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 9); freedom of expression (Article 10); and freedom of assembly and association (Article 11). This was incorporated into UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998. It is unlawful for public authorities to act in a manner incompatible with these rights. The rights are qualified and can be limited by actions necessary and proportionate that pursue a legitimate aim such as the prevention of disorder.
The University of Kent has several policies and procedures and Codes of Practice that students and staff agree to comply with. These policies and procedures help establish an environment that permits freedom of speech and expression, whilst respecting the rights of others and supports our compliance with the duty. The main polices and procedures are:
If you are concerned about the behaviour of a student or member of staff or if a student has stopped engaging completely, and you believe that this may be due to health and wellbeing issues, contact your HR representative or Student Support and Wellbeing. Alternatively, you can always discuss your concerns with your local Engagement Support Team and/or Designated Safeguarding Officer. If you feel your concerns relate directly to the Prevent Duty and you would like to have an informal discussion, please contact prevent@kent.ac.uk.
What is a Prevent Referral?
If there is sufficient evidence that a student or staff member may be at risk of being radicalised, the University (and not individual students or members) has a legal duty to refer that individual to Channel, which is a multi-agency process which ensures vulnerable people of any faith, ethnicity or background receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by people drawing them into harm. Channel is not a criminal matter. Participation is voluntary.
Before the University refers an individual to Prevent/Channel, wider concerns will be considered carefully through usual welfare processes. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education Student Experience) will approve any referral.
Safeguarding Apprentices: Employer Responsibilities
All employers with apprentices should have an awareness of the following:
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding relates to the protection of the health and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults, enabling them to be free from abuse, neglect or exploitation.
We all play a vital role in safeguarding our apprentices and, as such, it is important that employers are aware of how to detect and report a safeguarding issue.
What is Prevent?
The duty to safeguard apprentices from harm extends to preventing them from being drawn into extremism. This forms the statutory ‘Prevent duty’ (s.26 Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015). It is important to note that ‘extremism’ covers a broad spectrum of beliefs which may include far-left, far-right, environmental, Islamist, pro-life etc. Not all extreme views are illegal however, and it is only concerning when someone is at risk of committing violence or criminal activity.
Changes in behaviour, regular appearance or dress may (but not always) indicate a concern. If you are worried about an apprentice, you should always discuss your concerns with the University of Kent.
What do I do if I am concerned about an apprentice?
We encourage all employers to NOTICE, CHECK and SHARE.
Please note, it is not your role to investigate the concern yourself, but you have a duty to pass the information on.
What do employers need to do?
Employers should have a named contact available to discuss any safeguarding concerns. This individual should:
For more information around safeguarding, codes of conduct and reporting, please take a look at the University of Kent Safeguarding Policy.
Safeguarding – Raising a concern
If apprentices identify any concerns, or others raise concerns with them they should inform a Safeguarding Officer immediately. Please note that apprentices must wait until they have made contact with the Safeguarding Officers before returning to their studies or other activities.
All Safeguarding concerns should be reported to safeguarding@kent.ac.uk.
Find out who to contact for further information on Prevent or the University’s Prevent Duty
If 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 regarding 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 about Prevent, please contact prevent@kent.ac.uk.
