Council Training on Extremism

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 I am interested in existing policies relating to countering terrorism and extremism.

In particular, how far-right extremism is countered by the organisation, with particular regard to potentially radicalising material/material that is linked to or may be considered to promote extremist ideologies

Could you please provide me with the following information in answer to these questions:

A

1 What training courses or training sessions, either delivered by internal or external instructors, do staff typically complete with regard to the issue of terrorism extremism? Are there mandatory courses?

Or, if there is no typical framework for courses: what courses have been delivered on this subject in the past 12 months up to date?

Devon County Council provides training to staff about terrorism and extremism according to a tiered framework starting with mandatory ‘level 1’ training for all staff and more specialised training for staff with specialist safeguarding roles and roles relating to Prevent delivery.  Level 1 training is delivered as e-Learning and more specialised training includes a mix of e-Learning, face to face and bespoke learning opportunities.

E-Learning includes:

“In these courses staff can learn about:

·         the Prevent duty

·         different extremist ideologies that can lead to terrorism 

·         the risk around radicalisation and your supportive role

·         making a Prevent referral that is both informed and made with good intention

·         the interventions and support available”

ACT Awareness is one of a range of courses built to support the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) initiative: ACT Early | Prevent radicalisation

2 If possible, can you please provide copies of the training material delivered in these sessions/courses: any slides, booklets etc ?

This request is deemed exempt from disclosure under Section 24 – National Security of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (see below).

Exemption from disclosure under Section 24 – National Security, has been given in relation to the above questions on the grounds that:

  • As part of wider CT efforts, the Government employs a range of programmes to safeguard susceptible individuals and the public.  The nature of these programmes means that there is sometimes limited information about them in the public domain.  Disclosing such detailed descriptions and operational information containing intelligence and detailed information on how the Prevent system operates locally could undermine their effectiveness.
  • This information could be used by individuals or groups to devise counter strategies to these programmes, weakening their effectiveness and expose susceptible individuals to a greater risk of being drawn into terrorism.  If more people are drawn into terrorism this would increase the national security threat to the UK.  There is a serious terrorism threat to the United Kingdom and the Information Commissioner recognises that terrorists are highly motivated and will go to great lengths to achieve their goals.
  • Disclosure of information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is a disclosure to the world at large, not only the requestor. By placing it in the public domain we make it available to those who would pose a risk to identified individuals and our national security.
  • Taking these points into consideration, it is therefore not in the public interest to disclose this information.

B

1 What training material or material for guidance is currently held for staff? For example, is there a permanent staff handbook on spotting and dealing with signs of extremism?

Guidance relating to terrorism and extremism, including guidance on making Prevent referrals, is made available to staff. This guidance is available on our staff Intranet site. Our Prevent referral flowchart can be viewed here: Reporting concerns about radicalisation – Preventing Exploitation Toolkit

 National level guidance is available here:

Get help for radicalisation concerns – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Prevent duty guidance: England and Wales (2023) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Channel and Prevent Multi-Agency Panel (PMAP) guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Prevent duty: risk assessment templates – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

2 Could you please provide copies of any such material

Links to national level guidance are provided above. With respect to all other information held, please see our response to question A2 above regarding the exemption.

C

1 Could you please provide any lists or summaries of material that has been deemed, in any guidance provided to staff, to be connected to extremist ideologies, or to promote these ideologies.

I am particular interested in material relate: philosophy, arts, literature, film, and music

For example, staff may be warned that Nietzsche books could be linked to extremists, as he may be favoured by groups with an extremist ideology.

Please see our response to question A2 above regarding the exemption