Connell Co-op College

Preventing Extremism and

 Anti-Radicalisation Policy

PREVENTING EXTREMISM & ANTI-RADICALISATION POLICY

This policy draws upon the guidance contained in DfE Guidance “Keeping Pupils Safe in Education 2015, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015, Prevent Duty 2011, Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, Peter Clark’s Report of 2014 and Promoting British Values November 2014.

What is the Policy for?

Connell is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its students. We recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Who is the Policy for?

The policy applies to all staff as well as members of the Local Governing Body.

Policy Standards

General Principles

This policy is intended to provide a framework for dealing with issues relating to vulnerability, radicalisation and exposure to extreme views. The main aims of this policy are to ensure that staff are fully engaged in being vigilant about radicalisation; that they overcome professional disbelief that such issues will not happen here and ensure that we work alongside other professional bodies and agencies to ensure that our pupils are safe from harm.

The main objectives are:-

• All governors, teachers, and non-teaching staff will have an understanding of what radicalisation is and why we need to be vigilant in college.

• All governors, teachers, and non-teaching staff will know what the college policy is on anti-radicalisation and will follow the policy when issues arise.

• All parents and students will know that the college has policies in place to keep students safe from harm and that the college regularly reviews its systems to ensure they are appropriate and effective

Definitions

Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of terrorism leading to terrorism 

Extremism is defined by the Government in the Prevent Strategy as:

“Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas.”

Extremism is defined by the Crown Prosecution Service as:

“The demonstration of unacceptable behaviour by using any means or medium to express views which:

• Encourage, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs;
• Seek to provoke others to terrorist acts;
• Encourage other serious criminal activity or seek to provoke others to serious criminal acts; or
• Foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK. “

Indicators

There are a number of behaviours which may indicate a young person is at risk of being radicalised or exposed to extreme views. These include:

• Spending increasing time in the company of other suspected extremists
• Changing their style of dress or personal appearance to accord with the group
• Day-to-day behaviour becoming more centered on an extremist ideology, group or cause.
• Loss of interest in other friends and activities not associated with the extremist ideology, group or cause.
• Possession of materials or symbols associated with an extremist cause.
• Attempts to recruit others to the group/cause
• Communications with others that suggests identification with a group, cause or ideology.
• Using insulting derogatory names for another group
• Increase in prejudice-related incidents committed by that person – these may include physical or verbal assault, provocative behaviour, damage to property, derogatory name calling, possession of prejudice-related materials, prejudice related ridicule or name calling, inappropriate forms of address, refusal to cooperate, attempts to recruit to prejudice-related organisations, condoning or supporting violence towards others.

Procedure for referrals

• Concerns should always be referred to the DSL, or in their absence to their deputy or the Principal.

• We believe that it is possible to intervene to protect people who are vulnerable. Early intervention is vital and staff must be aware of the established processes for front line professionals to refer concerns about individuals and groups. We must have the confidence to challenge, the confidence to intervene and ensure that we have strong safeguarding practices.

• The DSL will deal swiftly with any referrals made by staff or with concerns reported by staff.

• All referrals will need to be in writing, however in the first instance they may be verbally shared with the DSL. Referrals will be logged.

• The Principal and the DSL will discuss the most appropriate course of action on a case-by-case basis and will decide when a referral to external agencies is needed (see Appendix A – Preventing Extremism flowchart.)

The role of the curriculum

Our curricula promote respect, tolerance and diversity. Students are encouraged to share their views and recognise that they are entitled to have their own different beliefs which should not be used to influence others. SMSC is delivered across the curriculum, it is supported by assemblies and underpins our ethos.

It is recognised that students with low aspirations are more vulnerable to radicalisation and therefore we strive to equip our students with confidence, self-belief, respect and tolerance as well as setting high standards and expectations for themselves. Students are regularly taught about how to stay safe when using the Internet.

Staff Training

Connell will deliver in-house training on Safeguarding and Child Protection. It will be organised for staff and governors no less than every three years and will comply with the prevailing arrangements agreed by the Local Authority and the Safeguarding Children Board and will, in part, include training on extremism and radicalisation and its safeguarding implications.

Through the provision of CPD opportunities we will ensure that our staff are fully aware of the threats, risks and vulnerabilities that are linked to radicalisation; are aware of the process of radicalisation and how this might be identified early on, and are aware of how we can provide support as a school to ensure that our children/young people are resilient and able to resist involvement in radical or extreme activities.

The Designated Senior Lead will attend training courses as necessary and the appropriate

Inter-agency training organised by the Safeguarding Children Board no less than every two years.

This will include training on extremism and radicalisation and its safeguarding implications.

The DSL and DDSL have received additional training on Safeguarding Against Violent Extremism (SAVE) in February 2021 run by  Manchester City Council.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Connell has a Designated Senior Lead (DSL) for Child Protection, who works in line with the responsibilities as set out at Annex B of the DfE Guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’.

• The Designated Lead is the focus person and local ‘expert’ for staff, and others, who may have concerns about an individual student’s safety or well-being and is the first point of contact for external agencies.
  

The DSL is responsible for:-

• Raising awareness within the college about safeguarding processes relating to protecting pupils/students from radicalisation and involvement in terrorism;

• Raising awareness within the college about the roles and responsibilities within the Academy in relation to protecting students from radicalisation and involvement in terrorism;

• Acting as the first point of contact within the college for case discussions relating to students who may be at risk of radicalisation and involvement in terrorism;

• Collating the relevant information and referrals of vulnerable students;

• Sharing any relevant additional information in a timely and professional manner.

In line with the Education Commissioner, Peter Clarke’s report (2014), the role of the Designated Senior Lead will be extended, at the appropriate time, to include the responsibilities of the PREVENT strand of the Government’s counterterrorism strategy

Further Information

Links to other Policies

• Child Protection And Safeguarding
• Anti Bullying Policy
• Equality Policy
• Whistle blowing
• Managing Allegations against staff/volunteers