Extremism – the Prevent Duty 

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) defines extremism. It states “Extremism goes beyond terrorism and includes people who target the vulnerable – including the young – by seeking to sow division between communities on the basis of race, faith or denomination; justify discrimination towards women and girls; persuade others that minorities are inferior; or argue against the primacy of democracy and the rule of law in our society.

Extremism is defined in the Counter Extremism Strategy 2015 as the vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also regard calls for the death of members of our armed forces as extremist”

Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 we have a duty to refer any concerns of extremism to the police (In Prevent priority areas the local authority will have a Prevent lead who can also provide support). 

This may be a cause for concern relating to a change in behaviour of a child, family member or adult working with the children in the setting, comments causing concern or actions that lead staff to be worried about the safety of a child in their care.  

Alongside this we will be alert to any early signs in children and families who may be at risk of radicalisation, on which we will act and document all concerns when reporting further. 

The NSPCC states that signs of radicalisation may be:

• isolating themselves from family and friends

• talking as if from a scripted speech

• unwillingness or inability to discuss their views

• a sudden disrespectful attitude towards others

• increased levels of anger

• increased secretiveness, especially around internet use.

 

We will tackle radicalisation by:

• Training all staff to understand what is meant by the Prevent Duty and radicalisation 

• Ensuring staff understand how to recognise early indicators of potential radicalisation and terrorism threats and act on them appropriately in line with national and local procedures

• Make any referrals relating to extremism to the police (or the Government helpline) in a timely way, sharing relevant information as appropriate 

• Ensure our nursery is an inclusive environment, tackle inequalities and negative points of view and teach children about tolerance through British Values

• Using the Government document Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales

 

PREVENT REFERRAL PROCESS

 

• All concerns should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) on duty

• The DSL will contact the Sussex Police Prevent Inspector to discuss the concern

• The Prevent Team will provide the DSL with a ‘Channel referral and assessment form’

• The DSL will complete the form and return via email to channel@sussex.pnn.police.uk

• If a concern is regarding a nursery employee, the procedures for managing allegations against staff found in our Safeguarding Policy must be followed

 

Sussex Police Prevent Inspector: DI Peter Dommett

Contact Details: Prevent@sussex.opnn.police.uk

 

This policy was adopted on

Signed on behalf of the nursery

Date for review

January 2019

 

July 2021