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Report shows some educators are struggling to implement Prevent strategy against student radicalisation (18 July 2016)

Date: 18/07/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Report shows some educators are struggling to implement Prevent strategy against student radicalisation

Ofsted has said that a new report shows that some education providers are struggling to implement a Prevent strategy to protect learners from the risk of extremism in education institutions.

The report How well are further education and skills providers implementing the ‘Prevent’ duty? praises general further education colleges and sixth forms for making good progress in implementing the Prevent duty.

However, the report finds that some providers – particularly independent learning providers, small providers and those working in isolation – are struggling to implement the duty.

The government’s Prevent strategy places a legal duty on further education providers to have due regard to the risk of learners being drawn into terrorism – including preventing extremists from seeking to radicalise learners and supporting those learners perceived to be at risk of extremist influences.

Ofsted has responsibility for monitoring how well the duty is being implemented.

In 2015, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw commissioned inspectors to undertake a survey to establish how well providers were implementing the Prevent duty.

The findings of the report were informed by visits to 37 further education and skills providers, as well as 46 full inspections or monitoring visits carried out between November 2015 and May 2016.

Inspectors also spoke to hundreds of learners, managers, teachers and support staff, as well as provider-designated Prevent officers, partners and governors.

Commenting on the findings, Ofsted’s Deputy Director for Further Education and Skills, Paul Joyce, said:

“It is reassuring that over half of the providers visited for this survey were found to be making good progress in implementing the Prevent duty – and are ultimately keeping their learners and local communities safe.

“Leaders in the general further education and sixth form colleges we visited should be commended for the quick progress they have made in implementing this new responsibility.

“However, it is concerning that in some colleges and providers the progress made in implementing the duty has been slow – it is worrying that inspectors saw examples of poor practice that I’ve no doubt would shock parents and learners alike.”

Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) reported that too many providers see the Prevent duty as little more than a “tick-box” exercise – and do not regard it as an important part of their responsibilities towards learners. In some instances, inspectors saw no effort by providers to implement the requirements of the duty, leaving learners at risk.

Nearly half of providers lacked sufficient safeguards to keep learners safe online, with learners in some cases bypassing security settings to access websites selling firearms or promoting terrorist ideology. These included one isolated instance of a learner viewing a terrorist propaganda video in the provider’s learning resource centre.

Inspectors also found evidence that some providers were failing to undertake adequate background checks on external speakers coming onto campuses to speak to learners.

HMI also found too little effort put into partnership working – with several local authorities failing to support providers, who were unaware of the range of advice and guidance available to them.

Duncan Lewis Terrorism Solicitors

Duncan Lewis terrorism solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving terrorism, including preparing for acts of terrorism, carrying out acts of terrorism, encourage others to carry out acts of terrorism, belonging to a proscribed organisation or fundraising for terrorism.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on extradition proceedings, the Human Rights Act and the European Arrest Warrant.

For expert legal advice on terrorism charges, call Duncan Lewis terrorism solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.


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