Prevent Duty
The Prevent duty forms section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 which places a statutory duty on seven specified authorities to have ‘due regard to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’. There is specific guidance in relation to this duty for higher education institutions in England and Wales.
The Prevent duty has three main objectives:
- Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat faced from those who promote it
- Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and give them advice and support
- Work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation
The Office for Students is the monitoring body for Prevent for HE providers. Additionally, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) is the monitoring body for Prevent for Higher Degree Apprenticeship provision.
University of Nottingham Response
The University manages Prevent as part of its welfare and safeguarding activities. We are committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where all members of the University community are encouraged to engage in debate and to pursue both academic and non-academic interests. Freedom of speech and academic freedom are central to the University of Nottingham mission to enable students and staff to collaborate. We are also committed to the values of inclusivity, ambition, openness, fairness and respect, as expressed within our University Strategy. In line with this, we will not tolerate abuse, threats, incitement to violence, hatred, discrimination or other unlawful acts in exercising these rights.
There are a number of policies that support the University in managing it’s Prevent Duty, including:
- Safeguarding Policy – we have a robust approach to managing safeguarding concerns and those relating to the Prevent Duty should also be reported through this route
- Code of Practice on Meetings and Other Activities on University Premises which relates to external speaker events. Staff, particularly those who arrange events, should familiarise themselves with the procedure and ensure it is followed when organising events and booking guest speakers.
- The Acceptable Use Policy sets out expectations on reasonable use of IT facilities, including the use of Social Media for Staff and Students.
- Information on research integrity & ethics, including the Code of Research Conduct and Research Ethics which sets out processes relating to sensitive research
Linked Policies and procedures
We also have a number of policies that are designed to ensure we have an inclusive and supportive community at the University, including:
- An Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Delivery Plan and an Equal Opportunity Policy
- A Dignity at Nottingham Policy and a team of Dignity Advisors who can provide support and advice to staff and students
- A Data Protection Policy which ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
There are a range of support services accessible to students, with the Guide for Staff on Identifying and Responding to Students in Difficulty providing an overview:
- The University Counselling Service
- Mental Health Advisory Service
- The multi faith Chaplaincy Service
- The University of Nottingham Health Service
Compliance with the Prevent Duty is overseen by the Safeguarding Steering Group, which includes responsibility for Prevent policy, procedures, practice and outcomes. The Safeguarding Steering Group is chaired by the Registrar, Paul Greatrix (paul.greatrix@nottingham.ac.uk), who is the University lead for safeguarding & Prevent. The steering group has representation from a range of departments across the university, including designated safeguarding leads, security, Digital & Technology Services (DTS), Human Resources (HR), Residential Experience, critical incident management and representatives from the Students Union. The Steering Group reports to Council on an annual basis
Risk Assessment
We have a Prevent Risk Assessment in place which is overseen by the Safeguarding Steering Group.
Training
The University has a number of internal short courses that cover both safeguarding and the Prevent Duty and are available to all staff.
External Support
Safeguarding leads at the University are actively involved in the Department for Education regional Higher Education (HE) Prevent Group and maintain links with the East Midlands Regional Prevent Coordinator for HE. This enables us to maintain up to date knowledge about the local risks, as well as an understanding of regional, local and national policy frameworks.
Contacts
Contacts for all the services noted above are available on the links.
For any safeguarding concerns, including those related to Prevent, the Safeguarding & Critical Incident Reporting & Recording Form should be completed and sent to br-safeguarding@nottingham.ac.uk
Staff and students can also report concerns through our Report and Support system.
For emergencies, you should contact the relevant emergency services (police, ambulance, and fire and rescue service) by dialling 999 and / or the University Security Control Room in the Trent Building on 0115 951 3013 or for emergencies only 0115 951 8888 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).