Introduction and Purpose

This policy sets out Primary Goal’s policy in relation to the government’s Prevent guidance, which
forms part of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy. This policy should be read in conjunction with
Primary Goal’s Safeguarding Policy, current ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance and
‘Prevent duty guidance: Guidance for specified authorities in England and Wales.’ Primary Goal
utilises a Prevent Risk Assessment which will be reviewed at least annually.

The aim of Prevent is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent also
extends to supporting the rehabilitation and disengagement of those already involved in terrorism.
Prevent aims to tackle the ideological causes of terrorism, intervene early to support people
susceptible to radicalisation, and enable people who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage
and rehabilitate.

The Terrorism Act 2006 defines ‘terrorism’ as an action or threat designed to influence the
government or intimidate the public. Its purpose is to advance a political, religious or ideological
cause. Extremism is defined as the vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including
democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and respect and tolerance for different faiths and beliefs.
Primary Goal will ensure that this policy and any associated information and training provided to
employees, apprentices, employers and third parties is in line with current guidance and legislation.

Signs and Indicators of Vulnerability and Risk

Radicalisation can happen over any period of time and may present differently in each case. Adverse
childhood experiences, combined with specific influences from family and peers or online
connections, may make someone more susceptible to radicalisation.

The following lists are not exhaustive, and all or none may be present in individual cases of concern.
Evidence of the following does not mean that vulnerable young people experiencing these factors
are automatically at risk of exploitation for the purposes of extremism. There is no such thing as a
‘typical extremist’ and those involved in extremism come from a range of backgrounds and
experiences. The following indicators may help to identify factors that suggest a young person or
their family may be vulnerable or involved in extremism:

• Show an interest in multiple extremist ideologies at the same time.
• Switch from one ideology to another over time.
• Target a ‘perceived other’ of some kind (perhaps based on gender or another protected
characteristic), but do not otherwise identify with one particular terrorist ideology or cause –
for example, involuntary celibates (incels) who direct their anger mainly at women.
• Are obsessed with massacre, or extreme or mass violence, without specifically targeting a
particular group – for example, high school shootings.
• Show an interest in conspiracy theories which can act as gateway to radicalised thinking.
Common themes could include religious or ethnic superiority, antisemitism, misogyny and/or
anti-establishment and anti-LGBT grievances.
• May be susceptible to being drawn into terrorism out of a sense of duty, or a desire for
belonging, rather than out of any strongly held beliefs.

Risk factors relating to extremism can be classified into ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors:

Push Factors

Push factors may include an individual feeling:
• Isolated.
• They do not belong.
• They have no purpose.
• Low self-esteem.
• Their aspirations are unmet.
• Anger or frustration.
• A sense of injustice.
• Confused about life or the world.
• Real or perceived personal grievances.

Pull Factors

Pull factors could include an extremist or terrorist group, organisation or individual:
• Offering a sense of community and a support network.
• Promising fulfilment or excitement.
• Making the individual feel special and part of a wider mission.
• Offering a very narrow, manipulated version of an identity that often supports stereotypical
gender norms.
• Offering inaccurate answers or falsehoods to grievances.
• Encouraging conspiracy theories.
• Promoting an ‘us vs. them’ mentality.
• Blaming specific communities for grievances.
• Encouraging the use of hatred and violent actions to get justice.
• Encouraging ideas of supremacy.

Staff should always be vigilant to learner behaviour to identify and assess the risks of extremism.
Coaches and Trainers are responsible for educating learners in understanding how they could be
drawn into radicalisation and identifying individuals at risk of being drawn into extremism, as well as
local and national risks present. It is the Coaches and Trainers’ responsibility to identify changes in
behaviour or vulnerabilities of the learners and to report their concerns to the DSL. It is also the
Coaches and Trainers’ responsibility to ensure the learner is aware of the Safeguarding procedure for
reporting a cause for concern, which is outlined in the Learner Handbook which is provided at the
start of their apprenticeship programme.

Reporting Incidents, Concerns and Information Sharing

Should any employee, apprentice, employer or third party have the need to raise a concern relating to
Prevent, they should do so without delay to Primary Goal’s Designated Safeguarding Lead. Concerns
should be raised via the internal ‘Cause for Concern’ form (for employees), by telephone (002475 267
601) or by email (safeguarding@primarygoal.ac.uk).

If there is an immediate risk, the emergency services should be contacted on 999. If the DSL assesses
there to be no immediate risk, they will contact the Government Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789
321 to gain further advice.

The DSL has an understanding that referral procedures will need to take place beyond local
boundaries. Where a young person is thought to be in need/or at risk of significant harm, and/or
where investigations need to be carried out (even though parental consent may be withheld), a
referral to Children’s Social Care should be made in line with the Primary Goal Safeguarding Policy.
However, it should be recognised that concerns of this nature, in relation to violent extremism, are
most likely to require a police investigation (as part of the Channel process). As part of the referral
process, the designated professional will also raise an electronic referral to Channel.

Some concerns which are identified may come with additional security risks. For this reason, it is
important that liaison with the police forms an early part of all investigations. Police will carry out an
initial assessment and, if appropriate, set up a multi-agency meeting to agree actions for supporting
the individual. If it is deemed that there are no concerns around radicalisation, appropriate and
targeted support will be considered for the individual.

All concerns relating to Prevent and extremism will be discussed in line with all other safeguarding
concerns during monthly safeguarding meetings. A Prevent Risk Register has been developed which
will also form part of monthly safeguarding meetings and Board meetings where applicable.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead has links with local Prevent coordinators for the purpose of being
informed of changes and updates to Prevent and counter-terrorism information.

Staff Training

As part of mandatory training, all employees of Primary Goal are required to complete Prevent duty
training during their onboarding and induction period and provide a certificate of completion. This
training is completed alongside safeguarding training and in conjunction with all related policies and
procedures. All staff are required to update Prevent duty training annually.

When applicable, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will provide Prevent and counter-terrorism
updates to staff for the purpose of information sharing and awareness. If necessary, additional
training and information sharing on Prevent topics will be provided on an ad-hoc basis based on
business need, identified risks and updated legislation.

Promoting Fundamental British Values

Primary Goal promotes Fundamental British Values amongst its employees, learners, employers and
third parties. Everyone associated with Primary Goal is expected to demonstrate and uphold the
values of mutual respect, individual liberty, rule of law and democracy.

Coaches and Trainers are responsible for the delivery of awareness training to learners to ensure they
have a full understanding of Fundamental British Values, Prevent and other safeguarding topics.

Supporting Policies and Documents

This policy should be read alongside the following Primary Goal documents:
• Prevent Risk Register
• Safeguarding Policy
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
• Employee Handbook

Review

Primary Goal will continue to review the contents of this policy and review annually.