Personal Development theme of the month:

Extremism and Radicalisation

What is meant by Prevent strategy?

The Prevent strategy, published by the Government in 2011, is part of the overall counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism

Why is it important to my learning?

Supporting the prevent agenda against radicalisation and extremism has been set as a priority area for Independent Learning Providers like North West Community Services Training Ltd, since Ofsted incorporated Prevent awareness into the Common Inspection Framework 2015. This topic continues to sit prominently within the revised edition September 2022. The threat is not just from radical religious groups such as ‘Islamic State’ but also from radical ‘far right’ and other political groups who may attempt to radicalise children and young people. Below you will find a number of guidance documents and resources to help you protect young people from Violent Extremism and Radicalisation.

Revised Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales

The Counter terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on certain bodies to in their duties have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Working in Partnership

Prevent work depends on effective partnership. To demonstrate effective compliance with the duty, specified authorities must demonstrate partnerships with local Prevent co-ordinators, the police, local authorities, and co-ordination through existing multi agency forums, for example Community Safety Partnerships.

Capabilities - What NWCS Training staff understand

Frontline staff understand what radicalisation means and why people may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism as a consequence of it. The are aware of what is meant by the term “extremism” and the relationship between extremism and terrorism.
Staff know what measures are available to prevent people from becoming drawn into terrorism and how to challenge the extremist ideology that can be associated with it.

Prevent

Prevent is part of the UK counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. Its aim is to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent will address all forms of terrorism but continue to prioritise according to the threat they pose to our national security. At present, the majority of our resources and efforts will continue to be devoted to stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. There is a commitment to protecting freedom of speech in this country. But preventing terrorism will mean challenging extremist (and non-violent) ideas that are also part of a terrorist ideology. Prevent will also mean intervening to stop people moving from extremist groups or from extremism into terrorist-related activity.

The Prevent strategy will specifically:

respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it;
prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given
appropriate advice and support; and
work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation which need to be addressed.

The link below will take you to the government’s full Prevent Strategy 2011 document, where each of the three elements of the strategy are provided in more detail https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/97976/prevent-strategy-review.pdf

What should I do if I have a concern?

If you have concerns that a young person may be vulnerable to violent extremism or radicalisation you should seek advice from the person within your organisation who has responsibility for safeguarding. Within NWCS Training this is Paul Sheron paul-sheron@nwcsltd.uk 07548840156. Also follow your own employers procedures in relation to notification of safeguarding issues. If you feel that there is an immediate danger to the life of the individual or others then call 999. Advice and guidance can also be sought from the following:

Nigel Lund
North West HE & FE Regional Prevent Coordinator
Department for Education
Counter Extremism Division
M 07384452146
nigel.lund@education.gov.uk

0151 777 4878 - Prevent radicalisation

We can support vulnerable people and prevent them from being drawn into extremism or terrorism as part of the UK Government Counter Terrorism Strategy. You can also call the Merseyside Police Prevent Team on 0151 777 4878. If you believe your situation is an emergency, call 999.

You can also report suspected online terrorist content by following the link for Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and refer any content of concern directly to social media platforms details of how to do this can be found at UK Safer Internet Centre website Homepage – UK Safer Internet Centre

Training

Further information about extremism and radicalisation for practitioners:

Educate Against Hate

The government has launched the ‘Educate Against Hate’ website giving parents, teachers and tutors practical advice on protecting children & young people from extremism and radicalisation.

Prevent e-learning package

This offers an introduction to the Prevent duty, and explains how it aims to safeguard vulnerable people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.