Prevent duty guidance update

While none of us like to dwell on the real and present threat of terrorism, we should all be aware of the Prevent duty, which came into force in 2015, requiring authorities – including education, health, and local authorities – to take action to help prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

In September 2023, the Department for Education issued ‘refreshed and updated’ Prevent duty guidance to incorporate recommendations made following an Independent Review of Prevent published in February 2023. The review made 34 recommendations in total, the first of which relates to the top of Prevent’s three objectives: “To clarify and emphasise the importance of tackling extremist ideology as a terrorism driver, Prevent’s first objective should be to ‘tackle the ideological causes of terrorism’.”

Although there will be no changes to the Ofsted inspection framework, inspectors will use the updated guidance to consider how you are meeting existing requirements.

It is important to note that the updated Prevent duty guidance has no new legal requirements or additional responsibilities for the education sector, which remains: “Early years and education providers must have regard to the Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales” (para 3.7, EYFS).

However, during an inspection, Ofsted will consider how “the provider fulfils its statutory duties, for example under the Equality Act 2010, and other duties, for example in relation to the ‘Prevent’ strategy and safeguarding” (Early years inspection handbook for Ofsted registered provision – September 2023).

The thought of terrorism may seem improbable for many early years providers, but it’s important to note that the threat is now even broader than when the Prevent strategy was first introduced in 2015.

Though the primary UK terrorism threat of extremist Islamist ideology is described in the guidance as “resilient and enduring”, extreme right-wing ideology is now highlighted as “resurgent” and of similar import, encompassing the strands of cultural nationalism, white nationalism and white supremacy. Government statistics on Prevent referrals demonstrate that this is the fastest growing area of threat in the UK, with men more likely to relate to extreme right-wing ideology than women, who are – overall – a lesser terror threat.

The updated guidance goes on to list conspiracy theories as “gateways to radicalised thinking and sometimes violence”, noting that “informal online communities” are one way that people can become radicalised by extreme right-wing ideology. Accordingly, social media and other online platforms are highlighted as the primary avenue for extreme groups to disseminate propaganda and ideology.

Completing an online risk assessment that considers the local context, risk of extremism, and threat helps to ensure that your response is proportionate. It will steer you through the actions you need to take against identified risks.

The updated guidance reiterates that sharing information on Prevent should be treated the same as any safeguarding concern. Make sure that your safeguarding procedures reflect this, per current Keeping Children Safe in Education expectations.

Prevent concerns should be transferred securely when a child moves on to school – make sure your procedures reflect this too.

A national referral form is being rolled out across the country to give greater consistency of outcome in local authorities. You must still, however, be aware of your local authority processes.

Prevent duty guidance update

What’s the definition of terrorism?

What’s changed?

Links to look at:

What actions are required now?