Introduction

Primed Talent Ltd is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all learners. Primed Talent recognises its legal duty to work with other agencies to prevent vulnerable people from significant harm, and to respond to all safeguarding issues. The radicalisation of vulnerable learners falls into this category, and this strategy is an addendum to the Primed Talent safeguarding policy and procedure.

Primed Talent recognises the positive contribution that it can make to protecting learners from all types of radicalisation or violent extremism. PRIMED TALENT will continue to empower learners to create resilient communities that protect the wellbeing of learners who may be drawn into extremism or crime.

Radicalisation is the process where individuals come to support terrorism or violent extremism. Primed Talent recognises that there is no typical profile of a person likely to become involved in extremism, or a move to support violence in support of a particular ideology.

A number of possible behavioural indicators are listed below. Staff should use their professional judgement, and speak to the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) if they have concerns.

• Use of inappropriate language
• Possession of violent extremist literature s
• Behavioural changes
• The expression of extremist views
• Advocating violent actions and means
• Association with known extremists
• Seeking to recruit others to an extremist ideology
• Inappropriate emails
• Distributing extremist literature.

P – Promotion of Equality and Diversity and positive relationships between staff and students

R – Referral of any concerns via Safeguarding designated staff to relevant authorities

E – Embedding British Values and education for students on all Learnerships

V – Vetting guests and removal of any posters or other materials if an extremist nature

E – Environment – a safe and secure environment with CCTV, sufficient security procedures and online filters

N – News monitoring for any concerns in the locality

T – Training of staff to raise awareness of the signs and risks.

Legal Framework

There are a number of legal policies relating to this area of work.

Human Rights Act 1998 Articles 8, 9 and 10 (these are not guaranteed rights)

Public Order Act 1986 (the use of threatening words with the intention to stir up religious hatred)

Terrorism Act 2000 (obligation to disclose information which might be of material assistance in preventing an act of terrorism to the police)

Terrorism Act 2006 (Colleges need to ensure that no proscribed organisation has access or use of the college premises to cause an offense)

Freedom of Speech section 43.1 of the Education Act 1986 (freedom of speech within the law is secured)

In addition, the National College for Teaching and Leadership teaching standards require that teachers do not undermine fundamental British values by expressing personal beliefs in ways which exploit a learner’s vulnerability or lead them to break the law.

Guidance on Prevent and the Channel Programme (taken from Business Innovation and Skills)

What is Prevent?

Prevent is the Government’s strategy to stop people becoming involved in violent extremism or supporting terrorism, in all its forms. Prevent works within the non-criminal space, using early engagement to encourage individuals and communities to challenge violent extremist ideologies and behaviours

What is Channel?

Channel is an early intervention multi-agency process designed to safeguard vulnerable people from being drawn into violent extremist or terrorist behaviour. Channel works in a similar way to existing safeguarding partnerships aimed at protecting vulnerable people.

Who does Channel work with?

Channel is designed to work with individuals of any age who are at risk of being exploited by extremist or terrorist ideologues. The process is shaped around the circumstances of each person and can provide support for any form of radicalisation or personal vulnerabilities.

How does the Channel work?

Each Channel Panel is chaired by a local authority and brings together a range of multi-agency partners to collectively assess the risk and can decide whether a support package is needed. The group may include statutory and non-statutory partners, as well as lead safeguarding professionals.

If the group feels the person would be suitable for Channel, it will look to develop a package of support that is bespoke to the person. The partnership approach ensures those with specific knowledge and expertise around the vulnerabilities of those at risk are able to work together to provide the best support.

What does Channel support look like?

Channel interventions are delivered through local partners and specialist agencies. The support may focus on a person’s vulnerabilities around health, education, employment or housing, as well as specialist mentoring or faith guidance and broader diversionary activities such as sport. Each support package is tailored to the person and their particular circumstances.

How will the person be involved in this process?

A person will always be informed first if it’s felt that they would benefit from Channel support.

The process is voluntary, and their consent would be needed before taking part in the process. This process is managed carefully by the Channel Panel.

Who can make a referral?

Anyone can make a referral. Referrals come from a wide range of partners including education, health, and youth offending teams, police and social services.

What happens with the referral?

Referrals are first screened for suitability through a preliminary assessment by the Channel Coordinator and the local authority. If suitable, the case is then discussed at a Channel panel of relevant partners to decide if support is necessary.

Raising a concern

If you believe that someone is vulnerable to being exploited or radicalised, follow the Primed Talent Safeguarding procedure to escalate your concerns to the DSO. The DSO will refer concerns to Channel if appropriate.

British Values

An important part of Prevent is also the promotion of British Values. These are the norms that shape our society, and which are enshrined in law, through legislation such as the Equality Act 2010. British values are described as:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty and mutual respect
• Tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs

Learners are encouraged to explore ideas in a context where these values are recognised and respected.

Primed Talent’s Responsibility:

• To promote British Values throughout an Learner’s programme
• Provide a dedicated programme of study which defines and explores British Values and how they influence our society
• Create opportunities for Learners to apply their learning to relevant situations and contexts
• Encourage Learners to respect each other and their differences, including with regards to protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010

The Employer’s Role:

• Demonstrate a commitment to British Values
• Adhere to the requirements of the Equality Act 2010

Designated Safeguarding Officers

Navin Kumar (Managing Director) – info@primedtalent.com