Extremism and Radicalisation Policy

1.2 Duties and Responsibilities 

Under Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, both Local Authorities and specified settings, including schools, have a duty to be proactive in preventing individuals from being drawn into terrorism. As part of this duty, we are required to: 

• Be aware of and recognize early signs in pupils that may indicate susceptibility to radicalization. 

• Develop the confidence and ability to challenge and intervene when necessary. 

• Assess the risk of our pupils being influenced by terrorist ideologies. 

• Establish clear protocols and maintain comprehensive records of our efforts. 

• Be subject to monitoring by Ofsted to ensure compliance with these duties. 

The statutory guidance on the Prevent duty outlines four key areas of focus for us: conducting risk assessments, collaborating with partners, providing staff training, and implementing appropriate IT policies to safeguard our programme community. By adhering to these requirements, we actively contribute to a safe and secure learning environment for our students. 

1.3. Risk Assessment 

During the programme, we take the responsibility of assessing and monitoring the risk of children being drawn into terrorism seriously. As risks may vary based on age, local threats, and other factors, we understand the importance of recognising and addressing risks within our specific context. 

Some key considerations we keep in mind include: 

• Being aware of the increased risk of online radicalisation, as extremist groups often target young people through social media and the internet. • Understanding that there is no single profile of an individual susceptible to terrorist ideologies. Therefore, we remain vigilant for changes in children's behaviour that may indicate they need help or protection. • Using our professional judgment to identify and address children who might be at risk of radicalisation in a proportionate manner. • Acknowledging that even very young children may display concerning behaviour influenced by others, whether within their family or external environment. Our approach respects family privacy but prioritizes safeguarding when observing concerning behaviour. • Ensuring that School Premises Lettings are carefully vetted and monitored to prevent any promotion of terrorist or extremist activities on our premises. 

By being vigilant and proactive, we can create a safer environment for our students and fulfil our duty to protect them from the risks of radicalisation and extremism. 

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1.4. Working in Partnership 

As a 2-week summer school in Oxford, we take the Prevent duty seriously and work closely with local agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. The key local agencies responsible for addressing radicalisation and supporting our efforts include: 

1. Thames Valley Police: We will work with the local police force to help us stay vigilant and address any concerns related to radicalisation during the summer school. 

1. Oxfordshire County Council: We will work in partnership with the county council to implement safeguarding measures and prevent radicalisation among our students. 

1. Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB): We follow the guidelines provided by OSCB to ensure the safety and protection of young people participating in our summer school. 

 

Throughout the summer school, we maintain effective engagement with parents/family members as they play a crucial role in spotting signs of concern. We are committed to assisting and advising families who raise any issues and guiding them towards appropriate support resources. 

As a responsible summer school, we take pride in our dedication to safeguarding and preventing radicalisation among our students. Our proactive approach and collaboration with local agencies contribute to creating a secure and inclusive learning environment for everyone involved. 

1.5 Staff Training 

As per the statutory guidance, we prioritize Prevent awareness training to empower our staff in identifying and addressing any potential risks related to extremism and radicalisation among children and young people. Our approach includes the following: 

1. Comprehensive Training: All staff, including residential staff and councillors, will undergo Prevent training (https://www.support-people-vulnerable-to-radicalisation.service.gov.uk/awareness-course) as part of their safeguarding training. This training covers various aspects, such as understanding threats, risks, and vulnerabilities associated with extremism and radicalisation. It will also focus on recognizing early indicators, responding effectively to concerns, and reporting any issues promptly. 

1. Regular Training Updates: We recognize the importance of staying up-to-date with the evolving landscape of extremism. Therefore, we will follow the recommendations of the Local Authority and ensure that our staff undergo Prevent training every two years. This periodic training ensures that our staff are equipped with the latest knowledge and strategies to address any potential risks effectively. 

By providing our staff with comprehensive and regular Prevent training, we reinforce our commitment to safeguarding the well-being of our students and creating a secure learning environment. Our proactive approach empowers our staff to be vigilant, confident, and responsive in identifying and supporting any individuals who may be vulnerable to extremist ideas. 

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1.6. IT Policies 

Ensuring the safety of our students from terrorist and extremist material while accessing the internet is of utmost importance. Here's how we address this at our 2-week summer school: 

1. Robust Filtering: Linacre College have implemented suitable filtering measures to ensure that students are protected from accessing harmful content while using the internet within our school premises. This filtering system is designed to prevent access to any extremist or terrorist material, providing a secure online environment. 

1. Internet Safety Curriculum: Internet safety is integrated into our IT curriculum, emphasizing the responsible and safe use of the internet. Our staff and learners receive appropriate training on internet safety, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate online platforms securely. 

1. Monitoring and Auditing: We strictly adhere to the guidelines concerning the monitoring and auditing of staff and learner usage of the internet while at the summer school. This enables us to maintain a vigilant and secure online environment for all. 

By incorporating these measures, we aim to create a safe and protected digital space for our students. Our proactive approach to internet safety fosters responsible online behaviour and protects our learners from potential risks of exposure to extremist material. 

1.7. Visitors and Use of Summer School Premises 

To maintain a secure and safe environment, we implement the following measures for visitors and contractors at our school: 

1. Identification Checks: All visitors and contractors will be subjected to thorough identification checks upon arrival. This process will include verifying their identity and clarifying the purpose of their visit to our premises. 

1. Additional Precautions: In some cases, we may take further precautions before allowing visitors and contractors access to our school. These additional measures will be employed based on specific circumstances to ensure enhanced security. 

1. Preventing Extremist Platforms: Our school premises will never be used to provide a platform to extremists. We have strict policies and procedures in place to prevent any promotion or dissemination of extremist ideologies or content within our school environment. 

By diligently adhering to these protocols, we aim to create a safe and protected environment for our students, staff, and all individuals associated with our summer school. Our commitment to thorough identification checks and cautious handling of visitors and contractors is a vital aspect of maintaining a secure learning environment free from extremist influences. 

1.8. Referral Procedure 

We take the safety and well-being of our students seriously, including protecting them from exposure to extremism, radicalisation, or extremist ideology. Any concerns related to these issues will be treated as safeguarding concerns, and appropriate advice will be sought. 

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead will be responsible for handling all Prevent concerns and incidents, following the procedures outlined in Appendix A. If a referral is necessary, we will use the Prevent referral form to share relevant information with the Police Prevent Team. In urgent and serious cases, the appropriate lead in the school will directly contact the Police via 999. 

Accurate and up-to-date records of any safeguarding concerns, including Prevent-related issues, will be maintained in accordance with our programme’s recording policies. 

We are aware of the Channel Programme, which is part of the Prevent Strategy aimed at preventing vulnerable individuals from being drawn into terrorism. If needed, we may refer individuals to Prevent, and they may receive support through this multi-agency program. We may also be required to work with and attend Channel Panel(s) to facilitate this support. 

In cases where radicalisation or extremism concerns indicate that a child or young person is additionally vulnerable and at risk of significant harm, a referral will be made to children's social care, as outlined in our procedures for Making a Referral to Children's Social Care.