Radicalisation and the Prevent Strategy

Following the tragic events in Paris last week and heightened concerns about security and extremism in this country I thought I would update you on plans we have for providing schools with materials and training opportunities to address these issues.

As we know, everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. School and college staff are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating.

The safeguarding statutory guidance is set out Working Together to Safeguard Children (March 2013) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (April 2014). Radicalisation is listed as a specific safeguarding issue within this latest statutory guidance and is addressed within the Government Prevent Strategy.

The Prevent Strategy has three main objectives to:

• Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it;
• Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support;
• Work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation which we need to address.

The Government is currently consulting on the Counter Terrorism and Security Bill. Key facts are attached. Within this there are significant demands on schools at all levels to ensure staff and governors understand and will be in a position to respond to radicalisation.

In the interim we have secured an online e-learning package from the College of Policing, which can be used with staff to raise awareness. This is included below. With Kent Police, we are working on a training programme for delivery across Kent schools in 2015.

Additionally a self-assessment tool for schools has been produced by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit (SECTU) following significant issues in parts of the UK. I attach the self-assessment form. Once completed email Detective Sergeant Toni Roullier from Kent Police who would be pleased to discuss any emerging issues.

For further advice and information email Nick Wilkinson, County Lead Manager for Youth Offending.

Headteacher briefings

We have booked more headteacher meetings for 2015 - please visit the events section and note the dates in your diary.