Denning Montessori School
Prevent Duty Extremism Policy.
This policy is prepared using the following publications
DFE “The Prevent duty. Departmental advice for schools and childcare providers. June 2015”
DFE “Keeping children safe in schools July 2015”
HM Gov. channel Guidance- Preventing vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism.
2015
POLICY STATEMENT
From 1 July 2015 all schools , registered early years childcare providers and registered later
years childcare providers (referred to in this advice as ‘childcare providers’) are subject to a
duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, in the exercise of
their functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into
terrorism”. This duty is known as the Prevent duty. It applies to a wide range of public-facing
bodies.
What is Radicalism?
Radicalism refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of
extremism
Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation is seen as part of Denning Montessori School and
Nurseries wider safeguarding duties, and is similar in nature to protecting children from
other forms of harm and abuse. During the process of radicalisation it is possible to
intervene to prevent vulnerable people being radicalised.
There is no single way of identifying an individual who is likely to be susceptible to an
extremist ideology. It can happen in many different ways and settings.
Specific background factors may contribute to vulnerability which are often combined with
specific influences such as family, friends or online, and with specific needs for which an
extremist or terrorist group may appear to provide an answer.
The internet and the use of social media in particular has become a major factor in the
radicalisation of young people.
What is Extremism
Extremism is 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. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our
armed forces, whether in this country or overseas.
Constant practice and Procedure
At the Denning Montessori School it is essential that staff are able to identify children who may
be vulnerable to radicalisation, and know what to do when they are identified.
Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation should be seen as part of schools’ and
childcare providers’ wider safeguarding duties, and is similar in nature to protecting children
from other harms (e.g. drugs, gangs, neglect, sexual exploitation), whether these come from
within their family or are the product of outside influences.
We can also build pupils’ resilience to radicalisation by promoting fundamental British values
and enabling them to challenge extremist views.
All staff are instructed to challenge extremist and radical views
It is important to emphasise that the Prevent duty is not intended to stop pupils debating
controversial issues. On the contrary, in the older classes we will always provide a safe space
in which children, young people and staff can understand the risks associated with terrorism
and develop the knowledge and skills to be able to challenge extremist arguments.
In the School, we can emphasise this in daily work such as
assisting the children’s personal, social and emotional development and understanding of
the world.
All staff are DBS checked.
Risk assessment
All the school staff, particularly the staff who work directly with the children are expected to
assess the risk of children being drawn into terrorism, including support for extremist ideas
that are part of terrorist ideology.
This means being able to demonstrate both a general understanding of the risks affecting
children and young people in the area and a specific understanding of how to identify
individual children who may be at risk of radicalisation and what to do to support them.
As with managing other safeguarding risks, staff should be alert to changes in children’s
behaviour which could indicate that they may be in need of help or protection.
Staff should use their professional judgement in identifying children who might be at risk
of radicalisation and act proportionately which may include making a referral to the Channel
program (see appendix one for further information on Channel)
Procedure for reporting concerns
If a member of staff in a school has a concern about a particular pupil they should follow the
school’s normal safeguarding procedures, including discussing with the school’s designated
safeguarding lead, who will, where deemed necessary, with children’s social care.
You can also contact your local police force or dial 101 (the non-emergency number).
They can talk to you in confidence about your concerns and help you gain access to support
and advice. Also, they can advise if this would be a case for Channel
The Department for Education has dedicated a telephone helpline (020 7340 7264) to
enable staff and governors to raise concerns relating to extremism directly.
Concerns can also be raised by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Appendix one
Channel
Channel is a programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who
are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It provides a mechanism for
schools to make referrals if they are concerned that an individual might be vulnerable to
radicalisation. An individual’s engagement with the programme is entirely voluntary at all
stages.
Section 36 of the CTSA 2015 places a duty on local authorities to ensure Channel panels
are in place. The panel must be chaired by the local authority and include the police for
the relevant local authority area. Following a referral the panel will assess the extent to
which identified individuals are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism, and, where
considered appropriate and necessary consent is obtained, arrange for support to be
provided to those individuals.
Channel is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/channel-guidance
Appendix Two
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub
For consultations/advice on concerns about a child 0344 8008020
Local number
(This number is available 24 hours a day; between 08.00am to 06.00pm the call will be
passed to the Access Team, outside those hours the call will go to the Duty Team.)
The Department for Education has dedicated a telephone helpline (020 7340 7264) to enable
staff and governors to raise concerns relating to extremism directly.
Concerns can also be raised by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This policy comes into effect from the 1st January 2016
Issue date
This policy comes into effect from the 1st January 2016
Review date
This policy will be reviewed and revised by the school manager on an annual basis.
Endorsement
Full endorsement to this policy is given by:
Name: Jennifer Blain
Position: School Principal