Preventing Radicalisation Policy
(previously known as Anti-Radicalisation (Prevent) Policy)
following safeguarding timeline
Background
This ‘Preventing Radicalisation Policy’ is part of our commitment to keeping learners safe.
Over the last few years, global events have led to a growth of extremist viewpoints,
including advocacy of violent extremism.
We have an important part to play in both educating learners and young people about
extremism and recognising when learners start to become radicalised. In March 2015, new
statutory duties were placed on organisations by the Counterterrorism and Security Act
(2015) which means they must work to prevent learners being drawn into extremism.
Safeguarding learners from all risks of harm is an important part of our work, and protecting
them from extremism is one aspect of that.
Ethos
At Rochdale Training we ensure that through our vision, values, rules, diverse curriculum
and teaching, we promote tolerance and respect for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles. The
Trustees also ensures that this ethos is reflected and implemented effectively in policy and
practice and that there are effective risk assessments in place to safeguard and promote
learners welfare.
We have a duty to prepare our learners for life in modern Britain and to keep them safe.
Learners have the right to learn in safety. We do not tolerate bullying of any kind and will
challenge derogatory language and behaviour towards others.
Statutory Duties
The duty to prevent learners and young people being radicalised is set out in the following
documents
▪ Counterterrorism and Security Act (2015)
▪ Keeping Children Safe in Education (2020)
▪ Prevent Duty Guidance (2015)
▪ Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015) and subsequent updates
Related Policies
▪ Use of Technology, IT Facilities and IT Access Control Policy
▪ Equality & Diversity Policy
▪ Staff Code of Conduct
Definitions
▪ Extremism is defined in the 2011 Prevent strategy as 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.
▪ Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and
extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.
▪ British Values are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and
tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Roles and Responsibilities
Role of the Trustees
It is the role of the Trustees to ensure that Rochdale Training meets its statutory duties with
regard to preventing radicalisation.
Role of the Chief Executive
It is the role of Chief Executive to:
▪ ensure that staff responds to preventing radicalisation on a day-to-day basis,
▪ ensure that the curriculum addresses the issues involved in radicalisation
▪ ensure that staff conduct is consistent with preventing radicalisation
Role of Designated Safeguarding Lead
It is the role of the designated safeguarding lead to:
▪ ensure that staff understands the issues of radicalisation, are able to recognise the signs
of vulnerability or radicalisation and know how to refer their concerns
▪ receive safeguarding concerns about learners who may be vulnerable to the risk of
radicalisation or are showing signs of radicalisation
▪ make referrals to appropriate agencies with regard to concerns about radicalisation
▪ liaise with partners, including the local authority and the police
▪ report to the Trustees on these matters via the Chief Executive.
Role of staff
It is the role of staff to understand the issues of radicalisation, are able to recognise the
signs of vulnerability or radicalisation and know how to refer their concerns.
Curriculum
Teaching and Learning
To provide a curriculum that promotes British Values, knowledge, skills and understanding,
to build the resilience of learners by undermining extremist ideology and supporting the
learner voice.
This will be achieved through:
▪ Embedding British Values, equality, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing and community
cohesion throughout the curriculum.
▪ Promoting wider skills' development, such as social and emotional aspects of learning.
▪ A curriculum adapted to recognise local needs, challenge extremist narratives and
promote universal rights.
▪ Teaching, learning and assessment strategies that explore controversial issues in a way
that promotes critical analysis and pro-social values.
▪ Use of external programmes or groups to support learning while ensuring that the
input supports our goals and values.
▪ Encouraging active citizenship and learner voice.
Internet Safety
The internet provides children and young people with access to a wide-range of content,
some of which is harmful. Extremists use the internet, including social media, to share their
messages. The filtering systems used at our centre block inappropriate content, including
extremist content.
We also filter out social media, such as Facebook. Searches and web addresses are
monitored and the IT lead will alert senior staff where there are concerns and prevent
further access when new sites that are unblocked are found.
Where staff, learners or visitors find unblocked extremist content, they must report it to a
Safeguarding Officer.
We are aware that learners and young people have access to unfiltered internet when using
their mobile phones and staff are alert to the need for vigilance when they are using their
phones.
The Use of Technology, IT Facilities and IT Access Control Policy refers to preventing
radicalisation and related extremist content.
Learners and staff know how to report internet content that is inappropriate or of concern.
Staff Training
Staff will be given training to help them understand the issues of radicalisation, are able to
recognise the signs of vulnerability or radicalisation and know how to refer their concerns
and are committed to the policy. This information also forms part of induction safeguarding
training. Staff are updated as necessary in monthly safeguarding newsletters.
Safer Recruitment
We ensure that the staff we appoint are suitable, our recruitment procedures are rigorous,
we follow the statutory guidance published in part 3 of Keeping Children Safe in Education
(2019) and commitment to the policy is tested. DBS checks are undertaken.
Visitors
Visitors who are invited to speak to learners will be informed about our preventing
extremism policy. We undertake due diligence to ensure that visiting speakers are
appropriate. Speakers will be supervised at all times and will not be allowed to speak to
learners without a member of staff being present.
Staff must not invite speakers into Rochdale Training without first obtaining permission from
the Chief Executive.
‘No platform for extremists’
Rochdale Training is vigilant to the possibility that hire of the premises may be requested by
people wishing to run an extremist event. The Centre does not accept bookings from
individuals or organisations that are extremist in their views.
Signs of vulnerability
There are no known definitive indicators that an individual is vulnerable to radicalisation,
but there are a number of signs that together increase the risk. Signs of vulnerability include:
▪ underachievement
▪ being in possession of extremist literature
▪ poverty
▪ social exclusion
▪ traumatic events
▪ global or national events
▪ religious conversion
▪ change in behaviour
▪ extremist influences
▪ conflict with family over lifestyle
▪ confused identify
▪ victim or witness to race or hate crimes
▪ rejection by peers, family, social groups or faith
Recognising Extremism
Early indicators of radicalisation or extremism may include:
▪ showing sympathy for extremist causes
▪ glorifying violence, especially to other faiths or cultures
▪ making remarks or comments about being at extremist events or rallies, evidence of
possessing illegal or extremist literature
▪ advocating messages similar to illegal organisations or other extremist groups
▪ out of character changes in dress, behaviour and peer relationships (but there are also
very powerful narratives, programmes and networks that young people can come across
online, so involvement with particular groups may not be apparent.)
▪ secretive behaviour
▪ online searches or sharing extremist messages or social profiles
▪ intolerance of difference, including faith, culture, gender, race or sexuality
▪ graffiti, art work or writing that displays extremist themes
▪ attempts to impose extremist views or practices on others
▪ verbalising anti-Western or anti-British views
▪ advocating violence towards others
▪ being isolated
▪ insignia, tattoos, certain types and brands of clothes etc.
Referral Process
Staff and visitors must refer all concerns about young people and adults who show signs of
vulnerability or radicalisation must be passed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead using
the usual methods for reporting other safeguarding concerns.
When there are significant concerns about a learner, the Designated Safeguarding Lead in
liaison with the Chief Executive will make a referral to the appropriate body.
Monitoring and Review
This policy will be monitored by the Trustees via a report from the Designated
Safeguarding Lead via the Chief Executive
It will be reviewed annually.
