The Prevent Duty – Training for Leaders

The UK PREVENT Duty – understanding the duties and responsibilities of Managers

The UK Prevent Duty – training for leaders and managers on their duties and responsibilities under the Government Prevent Strategy. 

PREVENT is part of the Government’s longer-term counter-terrorism strategy to stop people becoming radicalised, supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.

PREVENT focuses on preventing all forms of radicalisation and terrorism. It aims to provide support and redirection to vulnerable individuals and those at risk of being groomed in to terrorist activity. It is categorised as part of the “Safeguarding” agenda.

Those working in the educational and young people’s sectors are considered to be in a pivotal position, legislation requires teaching, training and learning providers, in the exercise of their functions, to pay due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism. There is a statutory duty on UK educational organisations to demonstrate that they are taking positive action to combat radicalisation and extremism, and prevent it building into potential or real terrorism.

Consequently all those working in the public, educational and young/vulnerable persons sectors need to understand the overarching aims of the PREVENT strategy and what they need to do to support it

This one-day workshop is to bring participants up to date on the latest developments in terms of PREVENT and provide a platform to review the strategies they currently have in place, how and where these could be improved.

For Whom?

This training course is for all managers, leaders and quality assurance staff who are involved with teaching and training or lead staff who support young people, children, vulnerable adults and their parents/carers.

Content can be aligned to other staff and situations including:

  1. Teaching/training staff and support staff
  2. Governors and governing body members
  3. Organisations, management and staff who are not involved in teaching and training

Training Aims and Objectives

to ensure participants understand:

  • The objectives and key elements of the Governments PREVENT strategy
  • What their professional responsibilities are in relation to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, children and young people;
  • How PREVENT applies to them and what they need to do in role to meet their responsibilities
  • The vulnerability factors that can make individuals susceptible to radicalisation or a risk to others
  • How they and their organisation can plan, implement, manage and review practical responses to support safeguarding activity in relation to radicalisation and extremism.
  • How they can demonstrate action in its compliance with the legislative requirements for prevention of radicalisation and extremism.

TRAINING COURSE CONTENT

  1. PREVENT – Key Definitions and Terms

  • British Values
    • Democracy
    • Rule of Law
    • Individual Liberty
    • Mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith
  • Extremism
  • Radicalisation
  • Other key terms such as terrorism, de-radicalisation and vulnerabilities
  1. Scope, rationale and background of the PREVENT Duty

  • The Prevent Duty
  • The impact of Brexit on the Counter Terrorism agenda
  • The Legislative Framework for Prevent
  • Other related key laws & regulations
  • Ofsted Guidance on the Prevent Duty
  • Key agencies
  • “Channel” – the multi-agency approach for supporting those at risk
  • Pros and Cons
  • Subjective v Objective Assessments
  1. Specific responsibilities of managers, leaders and quality staff under PREVENT

  • Curriculum & Training Programme Quality and Assessment
  • Supporting Training and Support Staff
  • Evidencing action and compliance with the PREVENT duty
  1. Auditing for PREVENT including oversight of curriculum and training content

    with a focus on Students, Stakeholders and Staff.

  • Curriculum audits, session plans, schemes of work and action plans
  • Information sources and critical thinking ideology
  • Observation of teaching, training and learning
  • Work with local community organisations
  • Staff and learner surveys and focus groups
  • Performance reviews, staff appraisals and CPD training,
  • Sub-contracted provision
  • Pastoral programmes, wider college events and extra-curricular activity
  1. Risk Assessments for PREVENT

  • The importance of risk assessment
  • How to Risk Assess
  • Potential hazards and risks
  • An example risk assessment template
  1. Supporting and leading staff

    Identification of vulnerabilities and spotting signs. Including:

  • Types of Extremism
    • Religious
    • Right Wing
    • Left Wing
    • Pathological
    • Issue Orientated
    • Separatist
  • Vulnerabilities and the impact of influence on vulnerable individuals
  • Spotting the signs – potential indicators that an individual might be vulnerable to radicalisation
  • Responding to signs and potential causes of concern
    • Organisational Policies and Procedures
    • The initial response
  • Sources of advice when a radicalisation risk is suspected
    • Who to contact and when
    • Other sources of professional help and guidance
    • The importance of sharing information & the consequences of failing to do so
    • Managing privacy and confidentiality issues
  1. Joining PREVENT up to all other appropriate corporate policies and procedures

  • Other corporate policies that need to incorporate Prevent
  • A few examples would include:
    • Training: mandatory PREVENT training for staff, subcontractors
    • HR: disrepute, reasonable requests, codes of conduct
    • Security: premises management, access, external lettings
  • Connections between given policies and the PREVENT Duty
  • Maintaining awareness of latest policies and responsibilities

FEEDBACK – EXAMPLE COMMENTS FROM PREVIOUS DELEGATES

Please Note: We always respect client privacy and confidentiality. We do not collate any identifiable delegate information on our course feedback forms. We only publish comments where express permission for marketing and promotional use, has been given.  

  • “Really Informative and helpful”
  • “Well explained, clear language, Excellent”
  • “Well paced, very informative, Thank you”
  • “Very good – Trainer was very engaging with interesting anecdotes”
  • “Excellent”
  • “Very good”
  • “up to date knowledge from enthusiastic and well informed trainer. Engaging activities”
  • “Very effective training, informative and well presented”
  • “Really informative and helpful”
  • “Useful in my role”
  • “Excellent – time well spent”

FAQ – Frequently Asked Question – The UK Government Prevent Strategy

 

1. What is the Prevent Strategy in the UK?

The Prevent Strategy is part of the UK’s wider counter-terrorism framework known as CONTEST. It focuses on stopping people from becoming involved in terrorism or supporting extremist ideologies by offering early intervention and support.

2. What are the main aims of the Prevent Strategy?

Prevent aims to reduce the risk of radicalisation by identifying vulnerable individuals, supporting them through appropriate services, and challenging extremist narratives that may lead to harmful actions.

3. Who does the Prevent Strategy apply to?

Prevent applies across sectors including education, healthcare, local authorities, and policing. Many public sector workers have a legal responsibility under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to consider the risk of radicalisation in their work.

4. What is the Prevent Duty?

The Prevent Duty is a legal obligation requiring certain organisations to “have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.” It means staff should be aware of signs of vulnerability and know how to respond appropriately.

5. What is the Channel programme?

The Channel programme is a voluntary, confidential support scheme linked to Prevent. It provides tailored interventions—such as mentoring or mental health support—for individuals at risk of radicalisation.

6. How does Prevent identify individuals at risk?

Concerns are usually raised by trained professionals—such as teachers, healthcare workers, or social workers—who notice changes in behaviour, exposure to extremist content, or signs of isolation and vulnerability.

7. Is the Prevent Strategy only about one type of extremism?

No. Prevent addresses all forms of extremism, including Islamist extremism, far-right extremism, and other ideologies that may lead to terrorism or violence.

8. What are common criticisms of the Prevent Strategy?

Critics have raised concerns about issues such as potential over-referral, impacts on freedom of expression, and trust within communities. The UK government has reviewed and updated Prevent to address some of these concerns and improve transparency.

9. How has the Prevent Strategy evolved in recent years?

Prevent has been updated through reviews and policy changes to strengthen safeguarding, improve training, and ensure a more consistent approach across sectors. These updates aim to make the programme more effective and proportionate.

10. Why is the Prevent Strategy important for organisations?

Organisations play a key role in early identification and safeguarding. Understanding Prevent helps staff recognise risks, respond appropriately, and contribute to wider public safety while supporting vulnerable individuals.