Prevent duty policy

What the Prevent duty is

Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 requires specified authorities — which include further education and skills providers that receive public funding — to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. Whether Changing Lanes is a specified authority depends on its funding arrangements ([to be confirmed: funding contract or subcontract (funding body, lead provider and contract reference)]); we follow this policy in any case, in line with the Home Office Prevent duty guidance (2023) for further education. Prevent is part of our Safeguarding policy arrangements.

Our Prevent lead

[to be confirmed: Prevent lead], working with the Designated Safeguarding Lead ([to be confirmed: Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)]).

What we do

• Risk assessment: we assess the risk of learners being drawn into terrorism or extremism in our local area and setting, and act on it.
• Training: all staff complete Prevent awareness training at induction and refresh it regularly so they can recognise vulnerability and know how to refer.
• Referral: concerns are raised with the DSL/Prevent lead in the same way as any safeguarding concern and recorded in the restricted safeguarding record; where appropriate the lead refers to the local authority Prevent team or the police (Channel). In an emergency call 999; the Anti-Terrorism Hotline is 0800 789 321.
• Online: our platform does not provide general internet access; the Acceptable use policy prohibits extremist content, and content is moderated.
• Speakers and events: external speakers and events are checked in advance.
• Values: we promote respect, tolerance and equality in our teaching and conduct (Equality, diversity and inclusion policy).

Balancing rights

We respect freedom of expression and belief within the law. Prevent is about safeguarding people who may be vulnerable; it is not about criminalising opinions. Information is shared only where it is necessary and lawful.

Monitoring

Where we are inspected by Ofsted, Prevent arrangements form part of the safeguarding judgement. The Prevent lead reports to the directors each year.

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