Prevent Policy

Equality Impact Assessment

The college aims to design and implement services, policies and procedures that meet the diverse needs of our college, population and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at an unreasonable or unfair disadvantage over others. We are confident that this policy does not place anyone at an unreasonable or unfair disadvantage and is compliant with relevant legislations. Where the college or staff are referred to, the policy and the following procedures apply to all staff working for Rotherham Opportunities College.

If printed, copied, or otherwise transferred from this website this document must be considered to be an uncontrolled copy.

Content

Prevent Strategy
Introduction
The Prevent Duty and Objectives
College Objectives
British Values
Safeguarding Ethos
Students
Staff
Governors/Directors
Partners
Internal Referral Procedure
Channel (South Yorkshire) Referral Procedure

Appendix Content

Appendix 1 – Legislation and Guidance

Appendix 2 – Prevent and Counter Terrorism Information

Appendix 3 – Glossary of Terms (Updated 2024)

1. Prevent Strategy

Key Change

Some language has been changed to reflect current best practice and updates to official terminology. Instead of referring to individuals being ‘vulnerable’ to radicalisation, the new term ‘susceptibility’ implies that individuals retain full agency, should they choose to adopt a terrorist ideology.

In February 2008 the Government published guidance (England & Wales) to a range of partners including colleges on preventing violent extremism. The guidance was prompted following examples of Al Qaida behaviour. However, it is also aimed at reducing the risk of radicalisation of susceptible people by other groups including far right groups and some animal rights groups. Further to this the government continue to provide regular updates that could impact on education, formally introduced in 2015.

Violent extremism can be defined as violence, terrorism or other activities that may result in violent behaviour or terrorist activity in the name of ideology of a set of beliefs and principles.

Prevent is part of a Government initiative to develop a robust counter terrorism programme – CONTEST focusing on reducing the risk from terrorism to the UK, it’s citizens and interests overseas. Within the CONTEST it consists of three further pillows for Prevent:

Prevent – To stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism

Pursue – To stop terrorist attacks

Protect – To strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack

Prepare – To mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack

The UK faces a range of terrorist threats. All the terrorist groups who pose a threat to the UK seek to radicalize and recruit people to their cause. The Prevent strategy seeks to:

Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and aspects of extremism and the threat we face from those who promote these views;
Provide practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support;
Work with a range of sectors where there are risks of radicalisation, which needs to be addressed including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, the internet and health.

A system of threat levels has been created which indicates the likelihood of a terrorist attack in the UK. The five levels are:

Critical – an attack is expected imminently
Severe – an attack is highly likely
Substantial – an attack is a strong possibility
Moderate – an attack is possible but not likely
Low- an attack is unlikely

The current threat level is published by the Government and can be accessed here

Further Education (FE) and specialist colleges are major education and training providers for the 16–25-year age group. Young people from ethnically diverse and socially and economically disadvantaged areas form a large group educated in the college sector. The age and profile of students at the ROC make it crucial to be involved in the Prevent strategy. Colleges must focus on the risks of violent extremism which represents the greatest threat at national level while recognising that other forms of violence and extremism can and do manifest themselves within colleges and other education/training settings.

The aim of this policy is to ensure that Rotherham Opportunities College is able to monitor, manage and deal effectively with the threat posed by any individual or group of individuals engaging in violent extremism in the name of ideology or belief.

2. Introduction

The Government’s Prevent agenda is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the Government’s counter terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

The Government’s Prevent strategy:

Responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism and the threat we face from those who promote these views;
Provides practical help to prevent people being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support;
Works with a wide range of sectors including education, charities, health, faith, criminal justice where there are risks of radicalisation that require actions.

The strategy covers all forms of terrorism.

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 placed a duty of FE colleges ‘to have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism’.

Rotherham Opportunities College has developed a culture of safety and respect for its students, staff, governors and visitors. As part of the college ethos, we have considered the Prevent Duty and the importance of collaborative working between college staff, local authorities, police, other educational establishments and health providers to identify, detect and safeguard vulnerable people throughout the organisation.

3. The Prevent Duty and Objectives

The Prevent Duty requires further education institutions to:
Work in partnership with and actively engage with governors, principals, managers and leaders from faith and community organisations and other partners including the police, local support agencies, Prevent, college staff, liaison officers. They will all require appropriate training and share information across relevant curriculum areas.

Have clear and visible policies in place for staff and students regarding risk assessment. This should also include policies for events that may take place with staff, students, visitors, external bodies and community organisations. They will also need to be aware of places or areas of learning, where staff and students may be in contact with or possibly involved with terrorism.

Have sufficient support available for the welfare and pastoral care of students and staff. There will also have to be clear guidance and policies available to all on the use of prayer room and other faith-related facilities.

Have policies in place for the use of Information Technology on the premises and for the use of research in curriculum areas.

As required by the Prevent Duty the college assesses the risk of students being drawn into terrorism including support for extremist ideas that are part of terrorist ideology. Where any risk is identified the college will consider what action might mitigate the likelihood of that risk materialising.

Refer any and all concerns of an extremist or terrorist nature through the appropriate channels e.g. Local Authority Safeguarding Partnerships, the police and local/regional Prevent co-ordinators.

Prevent Objectives

Tackle the ideological causes of terrorism

Intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation
Enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate

4. College Objectives

To promote the college’s vision, values and ethos;

To promote, implement and monitor the college’s responsibilities under the Prevent Duty to all students, staff, governors, volunteers and visitors;

To promote and embed British Values into the college’s procedures and curriculum offer;

To ensure the safety of students and staff;

To ensure equality and diversity is promoted throughout the college and all students are engaged and have a full and active role within society;

To ensure the college promotes a culture of non-bullying, non-harassment and non-discrimination;

To provide support for students who may be at risk and develop appropriate sources of advice and guidance;

To ensure that staff and students are aware of their roles and responsibilities in preventing violent extremism and radicalisation.

5. British Values

The Prevent Duty states the British Values that are expected to be embedded into the curriculum offer and into the ethos of the college. They are:

Democracy
Rule of Law
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
Individual liberty
Mutual respect

6. Safeguarding Ethos

Rotherham Opportunities College is passionate about safeguarding its learners and staff and aims to protect students from all types of abuse and harm. The college’s ethos is to ensure the welfare and safety of staff, students, governors, volunteers and visitors to the college.

Rotherham Opportunities College has a statutory and moral duty to ensure that the college functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the young people and adults with support needs whilst receiving education and training at the college.

The Prevent strategy sits within the area of Safeguarding.

The college has developed relationships with external agencies to ensure that it is well informed about the Prevent agenda on both a local and national level.

Rotherham Opportunities College will provide appropriate support to any student in danger of radicalisation through its own staff or by referral to external agencies.

7. Students

Students will receive regular educational activities to inform them of and to raise their awareness of the Prevent agenda as part of their Safeguarding training.

Information will be promoted to students through the:

Admissions process
Student agreement
Curriculum offer
Safeguarding posters
Safeguarding policy and procedures
Awareness raising and theme days

8. Staff

Staff will receive awareness training and guidance on how to deal with inappropriate material and behaviours, disclosure by students about their exposure to extremist views or materials, intolerance of difference and parental/carer concerns.

College staff will undertake online and face to face Prevent training and should be aware of signs of radicalisation and have the confidence to report their concerns to a member of the safeguarding team. Additional Prevent training will be available and offered to staff, where appropriate.

The college will ensure that all staff are familiar with the Prevent agenda, be able to promote British Values and understand how they can recognise practice and behaviours in students and colleagues and actions to take if they are concerned.

College staff should be aware of signs of radicalisation and have the confidence to report their concerns to a member of the safeguarding team who will liaise with South Yorkshire Police.

9. Governors & Directors

College Governors and directors receive updates on safeguarding, adults at risk matters, which include the Prevent agenda.

10. Partners

The college continues to develop links with external partners to remain aware of developments within the Safeguarding arena. Links with local police and external agencies are in place.

The college also promotes the ethos of the Prevent agenda by encouraging free and open debate but challenging extreme views. Through the curriculum the college encourages equality of opportunity and the celebration of diversity.

The college will not host or allow its premises to be used by extreme groups and will seek to prevent the distribution of extreme literature.

The college has a legal responsibility to forbid the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the college and must take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that where political issues are brought to the attention of student, they are offered

a balanced presentation of opposing views. Promotion of any organisations linked to violent extremism is contrary to the values of the college and could constitute misconduct.

The Regional HE/FE Prevent co-ordinator is:

Chris Sybenga

Mobile Number: 07384456640

Email: chris.sybenga@education.gov.uk

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-sybenga-080202141

The Local Prevent Co-ordinator is:

Lindsay Wootton-Ashforth

Email: Lindsay.Wootton-Ashforth@rotherham.gov.uk

The Counter Terrorism Case Office for the South Yorkshire area is:

Lindsey Howard PC 2708

Counter Terrorism Case Officer (CTCO)

Prevent – South Area

Counter Terrorism Policing North East

Mobile: 07584113601

Email – lindsey.howard@westyorkshire.police.uk

11. Internal Referral Procedure

College staff should be aware of signs of radicalisation and have the confidence to report their concerns to a member of the safeguarding team who will discuss the matter with the principal, safeguarding governor and external agencies as necessary.

12. Channel (South Yorkshire) Referral Procedure

Any concerns that are brought to the safeguarding team, principal or safeguarding governor will be considered and, where appropriate, reported externally under the Channel procedures.

Channel is a confidential, voluntary, multi-agency programme to safeguard people identified as vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. Channel safeguards people identified as

vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It is a multi-agency process, involving partners from the local authority, the police, education, health providers and others.

Channel provides early intervention to protect vulnerable children and adults who might be susceptible to being radicalised which, if left unsupported, could lead to involvement in terrorist-related activity. Channel is run in every local authority in England and Wales.

Anyone can make a referral via usual safeguarding pathways or by contacting South Yorkshire Police Prevent Team by calling 101 or by calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline (can be anonymous) on 0800 789 321. South Yorkshire Police have a Channel procedure in place. Local information can be found here.

The Rotherham Channel panel is made up of representatives from different safeguarding areas including children’s and adult’s social care, early help and family support, health, mental health, housing and the police. The Panel is chaired by the Head of Service, Community Safety.

All referrals are carefully assessed. A referral will not affect a person’s criminal record.

The panel will offer the individual support, tailored to their needs. Support could include services such as social care, early help and family support, assistance with education or employment, health or mental health support, housing support and mentoring to provide vulnerable individuals with the skills to protect themselves from being radicalised or drawn into terrorism.

Referring possible cases of early-stage radicalisation is similar to safeguarding processes designed to protect people from gang activity, drugs, and physical or sexual abuse. Many types of support are available as part of the Channel programme, addressing educational, vocational, mental health and other vulnerabilities.

The Channel programme is:

Voluntary
Confidential
A support programme – not a criminal sanction and it will not affect a person’s criminal record

A referral can come from anyone who is concerned about a person they know who may be at risk of radicalisation, whether a family member, friend, school leader, colleague or from a

wide range of partners. Channel addresses all forms of terrorism, including Islamist, far right and others.

When someone makes a referral, lots of agencies work together to offer support where they consider it necessary and proportionate to do so. This involves several steps:

The local authority and the police carefully assess all referrals to see if they are suitable for Channel or whether a different type of support is more appropriate, such as mental health support.

If suitable, the referral is discussed with all relevant partners at a meeting called a Channel panel to decide if an intervention is necessary. The individual who has been referred to Prevent is informed and must give their consent (or via a parent or guardian if they are children) before an intervention can take place.

If Channel intervention is required, the panel works with local partners to develop an appropriate tailored support package.

The support package is monitored closely and reviewed regularly by the Channel panel.

The type of support available is wide-ranging, and can include help with education or career advice, dealing with mental or emotional health issues, drug or alcohol abuse, and theological or ideological mentoring from a Channel intervention provider (a specialist mentor).

The Channel procedure is a partnership-focused structure, which aims to support individuals and protect them from harm. Channel is about supporting those most at risk of being drawn into violent extremism. It is about diverting people away from potential threat at an early stage, which prevents them from being drawn into criminal activity. Partnership involvement ensures that vulnerable individuals have access to a wide range of support from diversionary activities through to providing access to specific services such as education, housing and employment.

Appendix 1. Legislation and Guidance

Legislation and Guidance	Link
Revised Prevent Duty Guidance	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance/revised-prevent-duty-guidance-for-england-and-wales
Counter terrorism and Security Act 2015	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/counter-terrorism-and-security-bill
Prevent Duty Guidance for Further Education	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance/prevent-duty-guidance-for-further-education-institutions-in-england-and-wales

Appendix 2 – Prevent & Counter Terrorism Information

Report Extremist Material: https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism

Preventing Terrorism : www.ltai.info

Stay Safe Advice: www.npcc.police.uk/staysafe

North East Counter Terrorism Unit: www.northeastctu.police.uk

UK Anti-Terrorist Hotline Number: 0800 789 321

NaCTSO website: www.nactso.gov.uk (lockdown & protected space guidance)

Act Early:https://actearly.uk/

Appendix 3 – Glossary of Terms (Updated March 2024)

Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism (ERWT) -Describes those involved in Extreme Right-Wing activity who use violence in furtherance of their ideology. These ideologies can be broadly characterised as Cultural Nationalism, White Nationalism and White Supremacism. Individuals and groups may subscribe to ideological tenets and ideas from more than one category.

Having due regard -In relation to section 26 Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, means that specified authorities should place an appropriate amount of weight on the need to prevent people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism when they carry out their usual functions.

Ideology -A terrorist ‘ideology’ is a set of beliefs, principles, and objectives to which an individual or group purports to adhere and attempts to instil in others to radicalise them towards becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. There are several concepts or ‘tools’ that often feature in terrorist and extremist ideologies, including: narrative, propaganda, grievances, and conspiracy theory.

Interventions -These are tailored packages intended to divert people away from extremist activity at the earliest opportunity and support their disengagement with terrorist ideologies where they have been involved in terrorism or terrorist-related activity.

Islamist terrorism – Is the threat or use of violence as a means to establish a strict interpretation of an Islamic society. For some this is a political ideology which envisions, for example, the creation of a global Islamic caliphate based on strict implementation of shari’ah law. Many adherents believe that violence (or jihad as they conceive it) is not only a necessary strategic tool to achieve their aims, but an individual’s religious duty. In the UK the Islamist terrorist threat comes overwhelmingly from those inspired by, but not necessarily affiliated with, Daesh and/or al-Qa’ida, but they operate within a wider landscape of radicalising influences as set out in the government’s response to the Independent Review of Prevent. Islamist should not be interpreted as a reference to individuals who follow the religion of Islam.

Left Wing, Anarchist and Single-Issue Terrorism (LASIT) -Encompasses a wide range of ideologies. It includes those from the extreme political left-wing as well as anarchists who seek to use violence to advance their cause in seeking to overthrow the State in all its forms.

Online radicalisation -Describes situations where the internet is believed to have played a role in a person’s radicalisation pathway. The internet can play two broad roles in

radicalisation (offering mechanisms often unavailable to people offline). These are: exposure to extremist and terrorist content and socialisation within ‘likeminded’ networks. Often this is facilitated by highly permissive environments online.

Permissive environment -A ‘permissive environment’ may be characterised as being tolerant of behaviour or practices strongly disapproved of by others, such as an environment where radicalising ideologies are permitted to flourish. Radicalisers create and take advantage of permissive environments to promote or condone violence and to spread harmful ideologies that undermine our values and society. Permissive environments can exist both online and offline. Permissive online environments can contribute to online radicalisation.

Prevention – In the context of this document means reducing or eliminating the risk of people being radicalised or becoming involved in terrorism.

Radicalisation – Is the process of a person legitimising support for, or use of, terrorist violence.

Specified authority -Refers to the people, organisations and institutions listed in Schedule 6 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to whom the Prevent duty at section 26 of the Act applies. It is their responsibility to ensure that the provisions of this guidance are carried out.

Susceptibility -Is complex and unique to a person’s circumstances. Within Prevent, susceptibility refers to the fact that a person may be likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by terrorist and extremist ideologies that support or radicalise people into terrorism. Please see the ‘susceptibility to radicalisation’ section of the Prevent duty guidance 2023. As set out in the Prevent duty guidance, a person’s susceptibility may be linked to their vulnerability (see vulnerability below), but not all people susceptible to radicalisation will be vulnerable. There may be other circumstances, needs or other underlying factors that may make a person susceptible to radicalisation but do not constitute a vulnerability.

Terrorism – The current UK definition is set out in the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT 2000). In summary this defines terrorism as ‘The use or threat of serious violence against a person or serious damage to property where that action is:

designed to influence the government or an international governmental organisation or to intimidate the public or a section of the public; and
for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.’

Terrorist-related offences – Are those (such as murder) which are not offences in terrorist legislation (TACT 2000), but which are judged to be committed in relation to terrorism.

Vulnerability – Describes the condition of being in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, risk of abuse or neglect.