Prevent

Prevent is part of CONTEST, Counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST) 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) one of the four elements of the Government's Counter Terrorism Strategy.

Prevent is a national programme that aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It works to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are offered appropriate interventions, and communities are protected against radicalising influences. Get help for radicalisation concerns - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Radicalisation can happen when a person develops extreme views or beliefs that support terrorist groups or activities.

There are different types of terrorism and Prevent deals with all of them. Prevent is run locally by experts who understand the risks and issues in their area, and how best to support their communities. These experts include local authorities, the police, charities, and community organisations

Kent County Council and Medway Unitary Authority have the lead role in delivering the Prevent Strategy across Kent and Medway in accordance with the Prevent  Duty Guidance and work with partners such as the Police, Education and Health.

The objectives of Prevent are:

• Tackle the ideological causes of terrorism
• intervene early to support people susceptible to radicalisation
• enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate

Prevent is a formal statutory duty for Kent County Council and Medway Unitary Authority under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. The Prevent duty requires specified authorities such as education, health, local authorities, police and criminal justice agencies (prisons and probation) to help prevent the risk of people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It sits alongside long-established safeguarding duties on professionals to protect people from a range of other harms, such as substance abuse, involvement in gangs, and physical and sexual exploitation. The duty helps to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are supported as they would be under safeguarding processes.

We all have a role in protecting children, young people and adults from being drawn into terrorism, keeping Kent and Medway safe. Extremism and radicalisation in our community  are very real and being aware is the first step.

You can help reduce the threat from terrorism, radicalisation, and extremism by knowing what to report and reporting it. Prevent referrals are likely to be made in the first instance by people who encounter those who appear to be at risk of being radicalised. There is no single model of a person’s radicalisation journey or single profile of a radicalised person. Frontline professionals, when deciding whether to make a referral, should consider whether they believe the person they are concerned about may be on a pathway that could lead to terrorism. Further guidance on making a referral and how to apply the notice, check, share procedure can be found by completing the Prevent duty training - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) training and contacting your Kent and Medway Prevent team - prevent@kent.gov.uk

Prevent works with individuals and communities by using voluntary early intervention to encourage them to challenge extremist and terrorist ideology and behaviour. This can involve:

• support in schools, youth clubs, and community groups
• promoting positive values and community cohesion
• protection from extremist dialogues
• encourage safe and open debate and critical thinking
• encouraging reporting of concerns
• engage in positive activities
• engaging in open and honest dialogue around prevent

What is Channel?

Channel is a key element of the Prevent Strategy and Local Authority Channel Panels are a statutory requirement under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015.  Channel is a multi-agency programme across England and Wales that provides support to people susceptible to becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, underpinned by Section 36 of the CTSA 2015. The person (or their parent or legal guardian, if under 18) referred to it must give consent before any support can be provided under Channel. The overall aim of the programme is early intervention and diverting people away from potential risk. The Kent and Medway Channel Panel involves agencies working together to give individuals access to services such as health and education, specialist mentoring and diversionary activities -  Channel can (uniquely) provide theological or ideological mentoring. For those requiring support an appropriate package is offered based on an assessment of their vulnerability. Further information on Channel is available here Channel and Prevent Multi-Agency Panel (PMAP) guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Unlike mainstream safeguarding for adults and children, there is no threshold to make a Prevent referral for an individual to access assessment and specialist support. There may be cases that require a safeguarding response in conjunction with Prevent. Channel provides early support for anyone who is vulnerable to being drawn into any form of terrorism or supporting terrorist organisations, regardless of age, faith, ethnicity, or background. Individuals can receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by those who want them to embrace terrorism, and before they become involved in terrorist -related activity. While it remains rare for children and young people to become involved in terrorist activity, young people from an early age can be exposed to terrorist and extremist influences or prejudiced views. As with other forms of safeguarding strategies, early intervention is always preferable.

How do I report concerns?

• When a concern is identified, the ‘notice, check, share’ procedure should be applied as outlined in the Prevent duty awareness course.
• If you have an immediate concerns about the welfare of any persons, then contact the Police by calling 999.
• make a referral - if  you have any concerns or are unsure about making a referral then discuss it with your organisation's safeguarding lead/Prevent lead and/or contact the Kent and Medway Prevent Team by emailing prevent@kent.gov.uk
• Contact the Kent and Medway Prevent and Channel Manager, Jess Harman by emailing jess.harman@kent.gov.uk

• Once you have completed this form it is essential that you submit it to the police directly, or your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or equivalent will do this on your behalf. For Kent and Medway all forms must be submitted to preventreferrals@kent.police.uk
• Where possible you will receive a response on your referral, but this is not always possible due to data-protection considerations and other sensitivities.
• On page 1 of the referral form, it includes advice for members of the public – https://actearly.uk/contact The referral form is for ‘specified authorities’ only – i.e. people with Prevent responsibilities according to the CTSA, although police are happy to accept referrals from the public on the form.
• Members of the public can call the Act Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764 in confidence to share your concerns or call the anti-terrorism Hotline on  0800 789 321
• If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, a police non-emergency number is available as a text phone service on 18001 101. Remember, in an emergency dial 999
• report online material promoting terrorism or extremism

Terrorist attacks can sadly lead to spikes in hate crimes against certain groups, and many people in communities across the country are likely to feel vulnerable. Such action is not tolerated, is taken extremely seriously, and should always be reported.

View guidance on reporting hate crime

How can I support Prevent?

• Be vigilant  - radicalisation is usually a process, not an event, and factors or events may contribute towards the radicalisation for an individual
• Familiarise yourself with the factors that contribute towards radicalisation and how to make a Prevent referral
• Please make sure that you are up to date with your Prevent training and have a clear understanding of the Prevent Duty, how to make Prevent referrals as well as knowing who your Prevent lead is for your organisation - and check that they are receiving regular updates.
• Complete Prevent e-learning and contact the Kent and Medway prevent team for further training. Prevent@kent.gov.uk
• Kent and Medway Prevent team training offer –

• Education information contact the Prevent Education officers and The Prevent Duty In Education - KELSI

Prevent is a shared responsibility. Don't rely on others - report any concerns you have immediately.

Kent and Medway Prevent Team

Assistant Director Contest and Serious Organised Crime – Nick Wilkinson

Strategic lead for Prevent and Channel at Kent County Council, Chair of Kent and Medway Channel Panel. Chair of Southeast Prevent and Channel Chairs meeting. Lead officer for Kent Community Safety Agreement priority of Preventing Extremism and Hate.

Email nick.wilkinson@kent.gov.uk

Prevent and Channel Manager – Jess Harman

Manages delivery of Prevent and Channel activity across Kent and Medway. Promotes and delivers the Prevent Strategy across both statutory and non-statutory partners. Develops and oversees the Prevent partnership plan and Counter Terrorism Situational Risk Assessment. Co-chair of the Kent and Medway Cross Directorate Groups. Delivers Prevent support and training to a range of agencies.

Email: jess.harman@kent.gov.uk

Prevent Community Engagement Officer (PCEO) – Nadine Permaul

Supporting Kent and Medway communities and encouraging engagement with Prevent. Promoting awareness and addressing misconceptions of Prevent to build resilience and confidence within communities. Improving outreach and awareness and working with partners to ensure local and emerging needs are addressed.

Email: Nadine.Permaul@kent.gov.uk

Prevent Education Officers (PEO) -

Sally Green (Medway and North/West Kent)

Rachel Murray (South and East Kent)

Supporting educational establishments across Kent and Medway up to secondary level to implement Prevent through teaching, training, and guidance. Partnership working with the Department of Education and network of PEO's.

Emails: sally.green2@kent.gov.uk and Rachel.Murray@kent.gov.uk

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