Local authorities and partner agencies all have a role to play in working with local communities to support people who are susceptible to being drawn into criminal activity. Protecting individuals from the risk of radicalisation is an integral part of safeguarding duties and is similar in nature to protecting children and adults from other harms (e.g. drugs, gangs, neglect, sexual exploitation), whether these come from within their family or are the product of outside influence.
Prevent is a challenging and complex area that requires national and local organisations to work together. It needs to include the experiences, energy and ideas of our local communities, as well as those of the members, staff and volunteers of local authorities and partner agencies.
It is essential that staff within agencies and organisations that provide services to children, young people and adults are able to identify individuals who may be susceptible to radicalisation and know what to do when they are identified.
What is Prevent?
Prevent is part of the UK’s counter terrorism strategy, CONTEST Counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST) 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Prevent helps to protect society form terrorism by supporting people who are at risk of radicalisation and offering them appropriate interventions.
Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. If you are worried someone close to you is becoming radicalised ACT Early | Prevent radicalisation The sooner you reach out, the quicker they can be protected from being groomed and exploited by hateful extremists.
If someone is at risk of radicalisation, they should be referred to Prevent’s support programme, Channel. Channel is confidential and voluntary and offers support including;
- Mentoring
- Mental health support such as counselling
- Education or career development support
- Online safety training for parents
Prevent duties
From the 1st July 2015 many public facing organisations providing services to children, young people and adults are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, to have 'due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism'.
This duty is known as the Prevent duty and the Government's guidance outline specifies authorities responsible for this duty.
It is essential that staff within agencies and organisations that provide services to children, young people and adults are able to identify individuals who may be vulnerable to radicalisation and know what to do when they are identified.
Governance arrangements for North Yorkshire
In response to the Prevent Strategy 2011 a multi-agency 'Prevent Strategic Board' (formally the Prevent Implementation Board) was formed. Representation on this board is at a Chief Officer level from the specified authorities and is currently chaired by Assistant Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council. The delivery arm for this board is the multi-agency Local Prevent Groups which are locality based. For more information contact lesley.gray@northyorks.gov.uk
Your role
As staff or volunteers of local authorities and partner agencies you are working with the community on a regular basis. You are the eyes and ears in the community. If you have any concerns about grievances or tensions in your community you should make sure you report them appropriately within your own organisation. Concerns could include hate crime, anti social behaviour, graffiti, or a change in the behaviour of individuals that causes you concern, as well as concerns about individuals or groups that are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.
What do you need to do?
- Attend any Prevent training or awareness sessions supported by your organisation.
- Understand who you need to report concerns to within your own organisation.
- Be aware of the process and support available if you report a concern.
If you are concerned about individuals or groups that are susceptible to being drawn into terrorism you must raise this concern within your own organisation.
Prevent training resources can be found here.
Venue hire guidance can be found here
For North Yorkshire Council staff, relevant contacts are as follows:
Children and Families service - Victoria Haigh, Group Manager Access and Multiple Vulnerabilities, Victoria.Haigh@northyorks.gov.uk
Health and adult services - Claire Lindsay, Adults Safeguarding Manager, Care and Support, Claire.Lindsay@northyorks.gov.uk
Community Safety Team- Lesley Gray, Senior Development Officer, Lesley.gray@northyorks.gov.uk
Counter Terrorism Policing NE - SGT Ben Hallewell, Benjamin.hallewell@ctpne.police.uk
There is also a range of telephone numbers for members of the public who are concerned about individuals who may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism:
- North Yorkshire Police - 101
- safeguarding children and adults in North Yorkshire - North Yorkshire Council's customer resolution centre 0300 1312131
- safeguarding children in York - 01904 551 900
- safeguarding adults in York - telephone 01904 555 111
Make a complaint about Prevent
The Standards and Compliance Unit (StaCU) has been set up to make sure anyone applying the Prevent duty, or providing training on Prevent follows the right process and standards.
If you wish to make a complaint about how Prevent is being applied, you can find more information on Make a complaint about Prevent - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
