Title: Prevent Policy
Document Type: Policy
Version: 1.0 [February 2016]
Publication date: February 2016
Author: Student Support Office
Approved by: Executive Committee February 2016
For review by the College Registrar: February 2017
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NCH PREVENT POLICY
1. SUMMARY
1.1 New College of the Humanities (NCH) has a number of key obligations laid out in law. They
have always included the necessity of reporting criminal activity to the police. NCH now
also has an obligation to comply with the Government’s Prevent Duty. NCH acknowledges
that a university also has an obligation to promote freedom of speech. This policy will
balance NCH’s commitment to free speech and debate and the requirement for a Prevent
Duty. To ensure compliance with this policy, the College has appointed a Prevent Officer
and a Deputy Prevent Officer.
2. CONTEXT AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1 The College’s policy will be consistent with the full Prevent Strategy outlined here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance
2.2 The full CONTEST strategy outlined by the Government can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counter-terrorism-strategy-contest
2.2.1 As part of the CONTEST strategy, Prevent aims to
● Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat faced by the UK
from those who promote it
● Prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given
appropriate advice and support
● Work with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith,
charities, the internet and health) where there are risks of radicalisation which
need to be addressed
2.3 Definitions
2.3.1 The College will follow relevant definitions laid out in the law of England and Wales and
Government Policy.
2.3.2 Terrorism is defined in the Terrorism Act 2000 as: the use or threat which: involves
serious violence against a person; involves serious damage to property; endangers a person’s life
(other than that of the person committing the act); creates a serious risk to the health or safety
of the public or section of the public; or is designed seriously to interfere with or seriously to
disrupt an electronic system. The use or threat of such action must be designed to influence the
government or an international governmental organisation or to intimidate the public or a
section of the public and be undertaken for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial
or ideological cause.
2.3.3 Extremism is defined in the Prevent Strategy as: vocal or active opposition to
fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual
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respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of
extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces.
2.3.4 Violent extremism defined in the Prevent Strategy as: the endorsement of violence to
achieve extreme ends.
2.3.5 Radicalisation is defined in the Prevent Strategy as: the process by which a person comes
to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism.
2.3.6 The Channel process is a programme which focuses on providing support at an early
stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. The
programme uses a multi-agency approach to protect vulnerable people. More information
about
Channel
can
be
found
here
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/425189/C
hannel_Duty_Guidance_April_2015.pdf.
2.3.7 New College of the Humanities is a Relevant Higher Education Body (RHEB) requiring a
Prevent Policy.
2.4 The College will continue to work with a range of external organisations. In relation to this
policy these will include, but not be limited to: HEFCE, QAA, Local authorities, BIS, the Police
and security services, NUS training providers and specialist external advisers. NCH will also
work with the Regional Prevent Coordinator.
2.5 Encouragement of terrorism and supporting of proscribed terrorist organisations are
criminal offences. RHEBs must not provide a platform for these offences to be committed. This
means that events must not be held on the premises unless NCH can guarantee that extremist
views will be challenged as part of the same event. There must be mechanisms put in place to
assess and rate the risks associated with any events planned on the premises or that are
affiliated with, funded by or branded as NCH. There must be clear guidance as to when an
event can proceed and what action may take place to mitigate any risk relating to the remit of
this policy.
2.6 NCH will have a risk based approach to preventing terrorism. To comply with the Prevent
duty, NCH must have procedures and policies in place which match the expectations set out
by the Government. These policies must apply to all staff, students and visitors. There must
also be policies and procedures in place for the management of all events on College premises.
2.7 NCH has policies relating to the use of their IT equipment which include specific reference
to the statutory duty.
2.8 NCH will set out what is expected from the Student Union and Student Societies in relation
to the Prevent duty.
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2.9 This policy will be published on the NCH website and will be reviewed periodically or in
response to changes in Government policy.
3. POSSIBLE SIGNS OF RADICALISATION
3.1 The Government does not specify what the signs of radicalisation are; it is likely that the
most obvious sign of radicalisation will be extreme change in behaviour and this will vary
from case to case. Below is a short list of the possible indicators for RHEBs to look out for.
This list is not exhaustive.
1. Changes in ideology or faith
2. Narrowing of political views
3. Adoption of “Them” and “Us” mentality
4. Isolation from friends and family
5. Fervent public expression of strong anger or grievance about perceived
injustice.
6. Attendance at certain rallies or meetings
The following NCH policies may help staff to identify any relevant changes in behaviour.
●
●
●
●
●
NCH Welfare Policy
NCH Attendance Policy
NCH College Life Statement
NCH Complaints Policy
Student Union Honour Code
3.2 These policies are available on the NCH website.
4. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PREVENT DUTY
4.1 Speakers and Events
NCH holds events, public meetings and lectures which may be led by an external speaker. A
member of NCH staff will be in attendance at these meetings. Any events held by the Student
Union or Student Societies are approved by Student Support. Any student who wishes to host
an event at College must complete a form stating the details of the event. Students are asked
to provide the following details:
○ The speakers details
○ The member of staff on duty
4.1.2 Students are also informed that they must include Question and Answer time during the
session and that they must take attendance at the event. Before confirming an event, Student
Support will conduct a search on the speaker to minimise the risk of hosting an extreme
speaker. Student Support will reject any request to host an event during which they feel they
cannot safeguard the students.
4.2 Internet Access
NCH has implemented changes to its firewall. Sites which fall under a category in the
following list are not accessible to anyone on the NCH network.
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○
○
○
○
Violence/Hate/Racism
Weapons
Illegal Skill/Questionable Skills
Hacking/Proxy Avoidance Systems
This list has been provided by NCH’s internet service provider. For the full list of sites and
definitions, please see http://www.sonicwall.com/content-filtering-services/content-filtering-ratingscategories.aspx.
Anyone needing to use a blocked website for academic purposes should contact the Director
of Operations.
4.3 Student Welfare
Teaching and Student Support staff will consider the College’s Prevent obligations alongside
other welfare duties in the normal course of the teaching programmes. NCH students has
weekly tutorials and termly meetings with their Head of Faculty. Any concerning behaviour
may be picked up during this time. Students are also provided with a personal tutor and are
encouraged to use them as a point of contact if they have any welfare concerns. Attendance is
strictly monitored and registers are taken at every teaching event. Any student who misses a
certain number of events is given the opportunity to attend a meeting with their Course
Leader. During this meeting, students and staff may express any concerns they have. The
Student Support Office is an open office and encourages students and staff to drop in to
communicate any worries they have on an ad hoc basis. Students are also encouraged to book
meetings with the Student Wellbeing Coordinator to discuss any issues they are having.
4.4 The Student Union and Student Societies play an important role in safeguarding against
radicalisation. NCH will work with the student body to fully implement this policy. This work
will range from looking out for fellow students to reporting extreme behaviour. The NCH
Student Union has an honour code which all students sign upon joining the College. This
outlines how students are expected to create an environment where debate can thrive and
look out for other members of the College.
4.5 Training
Training will be given to members of staff who have a direct relationship with students. This
means that Student Support, Heads of Faculty and Personal Tutors receive training in the first
instance. The Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent (WRAP) should be undertaken by the
people listed above. Further training can be given to anyone who may need it. This training
will help members of NCH understand the behaviours outlined in 3.1 and the context in which
these behaviours may occur.
5. ESCALATION IF A STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER SHOW SIGNS OF RADICALISED BEHAVIOUR
5.1 Any member of NCH (student or staff member) may express concerns about any member
of NCH (student or staff member) potentially being drawn into violent extremism based on
information received or behaviour observed.
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5.2 Within NCH there are already mechanisms for counselling, guidance and pastoral care.
These are set out in the policies referenced in section 3. Changes in behaviour are likely to be
identified using the current processes and staff will be able to respond appropriately. Staff are
also encouraged to use the free counselling service offered by the College if they have any
concerns.
5.3 There may be circumstances where NCH identifies someone who is in need of intervention
under the terms of this policy. If this happens, the following steps will followed.
5.4 If a student or member of staff is worried that a student is becoming radicalised or is
radicalising others, this must be reported to the Student Wellbeing Coordinator. The Student
Wellbeing Coordinator will pass this on to the Deputy Prevent Officer if appropriate. The
Deputy Prevent Officer and/ or the Prevent Officer will investigate the matter.
5.5 If a student or member of staff is worried that a member of staff is becoming radicalised or
is radicalising others, this must be reported to the Master, the HR Manager or the COO. They
will pass this on to the Deputy Prevent Officer if appropriate. The Deputy Prevent Officer and/
or the Prevent Officer will investigate the matter.
5.6 Once any available information and substantive evidence has been gathered, this will be
considered by the Deputy Prevent Officer, in discussion with other members of NCH staff
where relevant. At least three of the following must be in attendance at the meeting: HR
Manager, Master, COO, Deputy Prevent Officer, Prevent Officer, Personal Tutor, Head of
Faculty, Registrar. The investigation and any evidence found will be recorded on Highrise or
on the staff file.
5.7 A decision will be made as to the seriousness of the case. Four potential outcomes are
likely at this stage:
5.7.1 No further action is required and this will be recorded on Highrise or on the staff
file. The Prevent Officer, the relevant Heads of Faculty, Personal Tutor (students only), the
Student Wellbeing Coordinator (students only), the Registrar (students only), the HR Manager
(staff only), the COO (staff only) and the Master will be informed where relevant.
5.7.2 There is substance to the case but at this stage only internal action is required.
The exact nature of the intervention required will be determined by discussion between the
Deputy Prevent Officer, the Prevent Officer, the Registrar (students only), the HR Manager
(staff only), the COO (staff only) and the Master. Actions and a review date will be agreed. This
will be recorded in Highrise or on the staff file. Heads of Faculty, Personal Tutor and the
Student Wellbeing Coordinator will be informed where relevant. At the review, the case will
be assessed again and the appropriate actions taken.
5.7.3 NCH may choose to refer the person to the Channel process as an action point.
This is a voluntary safeguarding process. Should NCH refer someone to the Channel process,
the Deputy Prevent Officer or the Prevent Officer will attend the relevant meetings.
5.7.4 A referral to the police is required because there are serious and immediate
safety issues to the student, staff member or others, and/or there is evidence to suggest a
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criminal act may be committed or has been committed. This decision will only taken be in the
most serious circumstances and only following discussions between the Deputy Prevent
Officer, the Prevent Officer, the Registrar (students only), the Head of HR (staff only), the COO
(staff only) and the Master.
5.8 If concerns are raised about any of the members of staff involved in the above process,
they will be excluded from it.
5.9 NCH will handle personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998) and the
specific requirements relating to Prevent as prescribed by Law.
5.10 Contact with the Regional Prevent Coordinator is the responsibility of the Prevent Officer
and Deputy Prevent Officer. The Prevent Officer and Deputy Prevent Officer will be
responsible for coordination with relevant bodies in the event of the College having concerns.
5.11 The Prevent Officer and/ or Deputy Prevent Officer will also:
● Attend any training or conferences required to keep up to date on Prevent matters
● Meet regularly to discuss any matters arising
● Keep the Prevent Policy up to date
● Liaise with the relevant monitoring bodies
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