About Prevent
Prevent forms one part of the government's counter-terrorism strategy called CONTEST.
Prevent aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism by working with some government departments, local authorities and community organisations.
The 3 areas of focus are to:
- respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat from those who promote it
- prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given the right advice and support
- work with institutions where there are risks of radicalisation that need to be addressed
The Prevent strategy covers all forms of terrorism, violent extremism and some aspects of non-violent extremism. From July 2015, the Counter-terrorism and Security Act means it's a statutory duty for organisations such as schools, councils and hospitals to support and help people at risk of radicalisation.
What is radicalisation and extremism?
Radicalisation is a process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism.
Extremism is the vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
Channel support
A person identified as at risk of radicalisation may be invited to take part in a support programme called Channel. This programme is voluntary, tailored to the individual and similar to other multi-agency safeguarding processes. Taking part doesn't lead to a criminal record.
Staff training
Training is available for those who deal with people who may be at risk of radicalisation. It is open to council staff, housing staff and other partners, including community groups. Some frontline officers will be especially suited to an interactive training package called Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent (WRAP).
For more information on Prevent or training available, see training or email prevent@enfield.gov.uk.
Useful links
Prevent in education
Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation is part of a school's wider safeguarding duties. It is similar in nature to protecting children from other harms such as drugs, gangs, neglect and sexual exploitation. Schools are required to stop young people being drawn into extremism through reactive intervention including recognising red flags, knowledge of referral pathways and ensuring staff are trained.
They should also have proactive strategies in place for developing critical thinking skills, encouraging active debate and promoting online safety.
We have a dedicated Prevent education officer who:
- provides Prevent training to staff
- delivers workshops and assemblies to students
- shares prevent related teaching resources
- offers advice on referrals, policy and risk-assessments
Resources
We have developed the resources below to further embed the Prevent duty within the curriculum. These can be adapted for assemblies, form time and lessons. You should consider whether the content is age appropriate for your students before use.
Fundamental British values
Four one-hour workshops which explore the fundamental British values of:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance.
These sessions include a mock election, video clips and questions to encourage conversation.
Suitable for KS3 - recommended for use in form time, Citizenship and PSHE classes.
Critical thinking
A one-hour lesson which encourages students to think critically about headlines (clickbait) they may find online.
Suitable for KS3 - recommended for use in form time, Citizenship, PSHE and English classes.
Exploring extremism
A one-hour lesson which shows three video case studies of former extremists. The videos aim to create discussion about extremism and who could be affected by it.
Suitable for KS3 - recommended for use in form time, Citizenship and PSHE classes.
Extreme fiction
Two one-hour lessons which use two extracts by Mohsin Hamid (author of Exit West) to explore the Syrian Civil War and the refugees fleeing from it. One of the extracts contains graphic imagery and should be used with discretion.
Suitable for KS4 and 5 - recommended for use in English classes.
Extreme non-fiction
Two one-hour lessons which introduce students to politics and explore how different elements of the media responded to the Manchester Arena attack.
Suitable for KS4 and 5 - recommended for use in English classes.
Extreme poetry
Two one-hour lessons which explore conflict, terrorism and extremism through poetry. Students demonstrate their learning through group presentations.
Suitable for KS4 and 5 - recommended for use in English classes.
Extreme speeches
Two one-hour lessons which analyse four fiction and non-fiction speeches, to explore which persuasion techniques are used and discuss whether some forms of extremism are justified.
Suitable for KS4 and 5 - recommended for use in English classes.
Hate crime
A one-hour workshop which explores hate crime, the impact it can have on society and how students should respond if they experience it.
Suitable for KS2 to 5 - recommended for use in Citizenship or form time.
The troubles
Two one-hour lessons which encourage students to explore the historical context of a terrorist attack. The lesson introduces The Troubles in Northern Ireland through a series of true stories.
Suitable for KS3 to 5 - recommended for use in English and history classes.
You can request resources, give feedback or make suggestions for future resources by emailing prevent@enfield.gov.uk.
Training
Staff workshops
Workshop to raise awareness of Prevent
We recommend all school staff receive face-to-face workshop to raise awareness of Prevent (WRAP) training every 2 years. The training covers:
- Prevent's objectives
- the radicalisation process
- local context
- potentially vulnerable individuals
- the grooming process
- case studies
- how to make a referral
- Channel
- online risks
- proactive strategies.
Engaging with young people on sensitive topics
Suitable for schools wanting to build on their knowledge of Prevent and develop proactive strategies. It explores why a young person might develop extreme viewpoints, why it's important to engage with these viewpoints, and practical strategies for managing discussions on sensitive topics.
Parent workshops
Online resilience
Outlines some of the Prevent risks parents should be aware of and how to mitigate them.
Engaging with young people on sensitive topics
Explores why a young person might develop extreme viewpoints, why it's important to engage with these viewpoints, and practical strategies for having discussions on sensitive topics.
To book any of these workshops, email prevent@enfield.gov.uk.