Devon and Torbay Prevent Partnership Education Briefing Autumn 2023

Devon and Torbay Prevent Partnership

Introduction

The Devon and Torbay PREVENT Partnership works to protect people and communities from violent extremism. Violent extremism involves supporting or using violence to achieve a cause – this can include terrorist acts. People are groomed into supporting violent extremism through the process of radicalisation.

PREVENT is part of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST) – it is ultimately about safeguarding people who may be vulnerable to being radicalised within our communities. PREVENT aims to stop them supporting violent extremism and terrorism using early intervention and diversion opportunities.

Educators have a key a role to play in raising awareness, reducing susceptibility and safeguarding children, young people and adults who may be at risk of radicalisation.
This briefing provides an overview of key information, updates and practical resources to support the delivery of learning around radicalisation, extremism and PREVENT to colleagues, learners, parents and carers.

For feedback and questions about this briefing or to learn more about the work of the Devon and Torbay Prevent Partnership email saferdevonpartnership@devon.gov.uk

Key terms

Key terms

• Extremism: Views and ideas which are opposed to British values – such as democracy, the rule of law, individual freedom, mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
• Radicalisation: The act or process through which someone comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups. It is a form of exploitation which can involve people being influenced and coerced into extremism.
• Terrorism: Acting or threatening to endanger lives or use serious violence towards people or property, in order to cause intimidation and advance a cause.

Key updates

• The national terrorism threat level is Substantial, meaning that an attack is likely.
• The greatest threats are from international terrorism and right wing terrorism.
• There are continued risks from people acting alone and using low-tech methods.
• Online extremism is a key concern – this involves people being groomed online through social media and online games by extremists, and self-radicalisation through exposure to extremist online material.
• Locally we continue to see increased concern around young people displaying hateful, racist, misogynistic, homophobic and transphobic behaviours.
• Hate crime, intolerance and community tensions can play a key role in creating the conditions for violent extremism. Nationally and regionally we have seen protests and hate related incidents directed against asylum seekers, including incidents linked to extremism.

New legislation and policy

• The Manchester Arena Inquiry has published the third volume of its report which includes recommendations relating to education settings, with a focus on the recording and sharing of information between education establishments. The detail of these recommendations is currently being worked through. You can view the recommendations in full on the Manchester Arena Inquiry website.
• The Independent Review of Prevent has provided an assessment of the government’s Prevent programme and introduced recommendations which have been endorsed in full by the government. Recommendations focus on the following areas: addressing susceptibility to terrorism; focus on the role of ideology including addressing the root cause of ideology and developing expertise in ideology across the system; and strengthening public confidence in Prevent. The review and recommendations can be viewed on the government website.

The local picture around risk and susceptibility

• The continued long term impacts of the pandemic and the impacts of the cost of living crisis may increase people’s vulnerability to being drawn towards extremist groups and narratives.
• We continue to see a high proportion of young people and young adults in Prevent referrals and Channel cases. We are also seeing links to far-right extremist ideologies, cases with significant complexity, vulnerability and unmet needs, and continued risks around online exploitation and extremism.
• There has been a rise in numbers of children and young people with low school attendance since the pandemic. There has also been an increase in the numbers electively home educated. Young people in these situations may become more isolated and there is potential that they may spend more time online.
• Extremist groups have become more visible and prominent. They have capitalised on events such as the pandemic, the rising cost of living, and immigration news stories to promote disinformation, misinformation and conspiracy theories and advance their ideologies. We have seen stickering, leafletting and graffiti linked to extremist groups and messages locally.
• We have seen increased hate crime and community tensions, including the targeting of individuals and groups based on characteristics such as ethnicity.
• The use of leaflets/stickering and street protests are tactics of right wing groups and we would encourage you to report any signs you become aware of

Your role as educators

In current times risk and vulnerability around online safety, exploitation and radicalisation has increased, and people seeking to groom and exploit others are actively using the internet, social media and online gaming to target children, young people and adults.

Educators have an important role to play in reducing vulnerability and risk through raising awareness of exploitation and radicalisation with colleagues, students, families and communities and through being proactive in identifying and reporting concerns.

Key messages

• Know your duties – we all have a responsibility to keep children, young people and adults safe from harm.
• PREVENT is part of safeguarding – susceptibility and risk around radicalisation is a safeguarding concern and should be reported immediately in line with wider safeguarding processes.
• Focus on signs – of susceptibility and risk, including behaviours that have changed and are causing concern.
• Focus on online safety – radicalisation is just one way that children, young people and adults can be exploited and harmed online.
• School as a safe space – for having conversations about online safety, exploitation and radicalisation and supporting people who may be at risk.
• A whole school approach is key – leadership have an important role to play in understanding the risks of radicalisation and ensuring staff have the awareness, skills and understanding of ideology to identify and respond to concerns.
• Focus on PREVENT – place emphasis on the PREVENT Duty in discussions and training for staff.
• Focus on students and families – raising awareness and having conversations around risk, vulnerability and online safety.
• Work in partnership – to strengthen capability across the sector, including with parents and carers.
• Policies and protocols for safeguarding – check these are up-to-date and accessible for staff, to ensure that the right support is offered at the right time.
• Information sharing – be clear about when and how information can be shared, and make sure staff are aware and informed.
• Learning and development – use learning and development opportunities to equip staff with the understanding and skills to respond to risks around online safety, exploitation and radicalisation.

What to look out for

Potential indicators that someone is being radicalised:

• becoming more secretive and isolated from family and friends;
• spending more time communicating with new friends met online;
• becoming fixated on a certain subject;
• expressing intolerance or hatred of other people or communities;
• changing appearance to reflect association with a group or cause;
• thoughts about harming or using violence towards others.

These possible indicators should not be viewed in isolation. Use judgement to determine the significance of any behaviour.

Radicalisation can happen to anyone, although some people may be more susceptible due to the following:

• being isolated from family, friends and support networks;
• spending increased time online;
• experiencing racism, discrimination, bullying or harassment;
• having a grievance against a person, group or cause.

Find information about other factors that can make someone vulnerable to radicalisation on the Safer Devon website and our Preventing Exploitation Toolkit.

What you can do

• Review your own knowledge of the risks around radicalisation and signs to look out for.
• Be aware of the safeguarding process used by your organisation so you can take action if you are concerned someone is being radicalised.
• Consider how you can raise awareness of radicalisation with colleagues, students and families – see our recommended resource list.
• Find out what PREVENT learning and development opportunities are offered by your organisation.
• Share this briefing with colleagues and partners.

Recommended resources

All resources have been quality assured by education professionals

Legislation and guidance

• Department for Education Prevent Handbook for Designated Safeguarding Leads: non-statutory guidance for DSLs in schools and colleges to help safeguard learners vulnerable to radicalisation.
• Department for Education Prevent self-assessment toolkit for schools
• Education and Training Foundation: resources, tools and articles about Prevent legislation and guidance

Lesson plans (from Counter Terrorism Policing, Let’s Talk About It and Votes for Schools)

• Covers: extremism, online radicalisation and conspiracy theories
• Audience: Primary, Secondary, post-16
• What our education colleagues say: ‘really comprehensive’… ‘would recommend teachers receive PREVENT training before delivery’… ‘recommend Primary resources for year 6’… ‘may need to alter secondary school version for SEN students or those with low literacy, or use primary version’… post-16 resources are great for FE colleges’.

Counter Extremism resources (from London Grid for Learning)

• Covers: Lessons and CPD resources and videos; real life case studies
• Audience: Primary and secondary
• What our education colleagues say: ‘the video clips are short and informative – great for students but also for tutors and staff’.

Going too Far? (from London Grid for Learning)

• Covers: Videos and scenario based activities about how certain online behaviour may be offensive, dangerous or illegal, with scenarios including gaming, social media. Can be delivered online for remote learning or face to face, for standalone lessons, or in assemblies.
• Audience: Secondary, SEND students (see SEND and Inclusion page for adapted resources). Resources can also easily be adapted for Primary.
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Great use of case studies and scenario based activities to promote discussion and reflection.’

Act Early Stories (Counter Terrorism Policing and London Grid for Learning)

• Covers: educational activities and lessons for schools and youth centres based on three real-life stories about young people whose lives have been affected by radicalisation.
• Audience: Secondary, post 16 and youth services
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Learners will enjoy the videos, which give very clear messages about radicalisation.’

Fact or Fake (BBC Bitesize)

• Covers: videos and articles about fake news and misinformation
• Audience: Secondary and post-16, parents and carers
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Great for older learners, college learners and staff’

Safeguarding and Online Safety (London Grid for Learning – select Extremism/Radicalisation from Topic drop down)

• Covers: Lesson resources and videos, CPD resources, resources for parents and carers
• Audience: Primary, secondary, post-16, adult learners, parents and carers
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Excellent set of resources for teachers and parents’… ‘splits information into nice small chunks about a whole range of topics relevant to our learners’.

Educate Against Hate website

• Covers: Teaching resources, CPD resources and guidance
• Audience: Senior leaders, teachers, DSLs, parents/carers
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Great resources for teachers/parents’… ‘some information out of date, but most is still relevant’.

‘Let’s Discuss’ (Educate Against Hate)

• Covers: Resources to help educators facilitate difficult classroom conversations in secondary schools. Topics include Extreme Right Wing, Islamist extremism, Left-wing, anarchist and single-issue extremism and fundamental British values.
• Audience: Secondary
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Lots of practical resources that cover a range of difficult topics, presented in an easy to use format.’

Education and Training Foundation website

• Covers: CPD resources and training for practitioners, leaders, governors, board members
• Audience: post-16
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Great information and online training resources for staff, governors and employers’

Protect UK – website and phone app

• Covers: Practical advice and guidance about protecting your organisation against a terrorist attack
• Audience: Senior leaders
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Loads of resources with quick links to online training’… ‘lots of documents and posters and regular updates’

Educate Against Hate Parents’ Hub

• Covers: online safety, extremism and safeguarding
• Audience: parents and carers
• What our education colleagues say: ‘really like the resources for parents and carers including downloadable booklets’

Let’s Talk About It website

• Covers: online safety, radicalisation, extremism, PREVENT and CHANNEL
• Audience: Parents, carers and teachers
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Great information for parents and carers and also for school/college staff. I used it a lot during the Covid-19 lockdown’.

Introduction to PREVENT film (Home Office)

• Covers: introduction to the PREVENT process with input from real case examples
• Audience: Teachers, DSLs
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Useful CPD resource providing a brief overview of PREVENT and how it supports people at risk of radicalisation’

Online Radicalisation Film (Safer Devon Partnership)

• Covers: short film raising awareness of the risks of online radicalisation, with a focus on young people
• Audience: Secondary, post-16 and parents and carers
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Great thought-provoking film and advice on vulnerability, risk and signs to look out for

Act Early Campaign (Counter Terrorism Policing)

• Covers: PREVENT safeguarding campaign to raise awareness with the public, new national public PREVENT advice line
• Audience: Parents and carers
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Helpful website with information and case studies. Good to have a helpline number to signpost parents, carers and the community to’

Internet Matters

• Covers: videos and guidance for parents to raise awareness of online radicalisation and extremism, and other online harms
• Audience: parents and carers
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Helps parents to speak confidently about radicalisation with their children – great tips for how to start the conversation.’

Let’s Talk

• Covers: online support sessions for parents and carers of teenagers and pre-teens and an opportunity to hear about the challenges young people are facing today; sessions are accompanied by free toolkits for parents and carers downloadable from the website.
• Audience: parents and carers
• What our education colleagues say: ‘Really helpful website with lots of resources to help parents understand the challenges their children face in an ever changing world.’

Prevent and misogyny

• In the context of the increased focus on misogyny and the manosphere it is important to consider how this issue can be approached in the context of Prevent.
• There is evidence of misogynistic narratives within some extremist ideologies and we are acutely aware of how online usage can make it easier to explore these views. However, when considering if a Prevent referral is appropriate you should consider if there are wider indications of radicalisation that would mean someone could be drawn into supporting terrorist groups or activities.

Internet Filter Test (UK Safer Internet Centre and South West Grid for Learning)

• Covers: Internet filtering test to check if your internet connection is blocking certain types of harmful or illegal content, including child abuse and terrorist content.
• Audience: for parents and carers, schools, businesses and the public sector

Prevent duty guidance – DfE blog

The updated Prevent Duty Guidance (PDG) was published September 2023 and the DfE have produced a blog containing a number of education specific products to support its publication – including PDG briefings by education phase to outline the changes, highlight some new and useful Prevent animations and release new Prevent risk assessment templates for each phase of education.

Learning and development

In addition to the resources listed above, e-learning can strengthen your learning and development around PREVENT, radicalisation and extremism. We encourage you to take ½ hr to refresh your knowledge. Current e-learning includes:

• Home Office Prevent e-learning – to raise awareness about radicalisation and help you identify the signs to look out for.
• Protect UK e-learning – practical guidance on protecting your organisation from a terrorist incident.
• Preventing Exploitation Toolkit – online toolkit to assist your understanding of radicalisation and other forms of exploitation and help you report concerns.

Your organisation may also provide a PREVENT learning offer – contact your workforce development lead for details. If you are responsible for workforce development please consider including these resources in your organisation’s training offers.

How to report your concerns

• If there is an immediate risk to life contact 999
• If you have concerns that someone is being radicalised in the first instance discuss these with your safeguarding lead. You can also contact the PREVENT team through their online form, by emailing Prevent@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk or calling 01392 225130. In the event that you have not heard back about a Prevent referral within 48 hours we would strongly encourage you to follow up.
• To report suspicious behaviour or activity call the Anti-terror Hotline on 0800 789 321
• To report extremist online material, visit: https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism or use the new iREPORTit app – download from Apple iOS Store and Android Store
• To report a hate crime or incident contact the police on 101
• If you have a safeguarding concern not relating to radicalisation contact your local Child or Adult Safeguarding Partnership – Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership; Torbay and Devon Safeguarding Adults Partnership; Torbay Safeguarding Children Partnership.
• To report information or intelligence (other than a crime or safeguarding concern) use the police’s online Partner Agency Information Sharing Form or telephone 101. Intelligence could relate to sightings of extremist symbology and messages – including the use of leaflets/stickering, sightings of street protests, or information about hate incidents or community tensions.