Safeguarding practice guidance: prevent
The Prevent strategy is part of the UK Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST), based on the Counter Terrorism and Security Act of 2015. It requires public bodies, including local authorities, the police, prisons, providers of probation services, schools, colleges, and universities to act to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, ensuring awareness of the risks of terrorism.
You can find out more about Prevent and Contest on our Building Communities Together team's webpage here.
Prevent referrals
You should make Prevent referrals using the National Prevent Referral Form:
Referral Pathway and Form West Berkshire [333KB] - email Prevent National Referral Forms to: preventreferralswestberkshire@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Further contact information:
When sending referrals to this email address, please ensure all biographical details are included (for example: full name of the person being referred, date of birth, address). Other useful information should be included where possible, for example: details of family members, social media details, phone numbers. The referrer should also include their name, role and contact details. When explaining the reason for the referral, please provide as much information and context as possible to help us make an assessment.
This is managed daily during office hours Monday to Friday. A member of the Thames Valley Police Prevent Team will contact you to take further information or provide advice. If you have immediate concerns or you need to contact outside of these hours please call 101 and ask for the on call Special Branch Sergeant.
Prevent training
Find out about Prevent duty training from the Home Office.
Prevent eLearning
The Home Office provide free online training on Prevent Awareness, Referrals and Channel Awareness, as well as a Prevent Refresher (see below).
Prevent awareness
This offers an introduction to the Prevent Duty and explains how it aims to safeguard vulnerable people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.
Prevent referrals
This package builds on the Prevent awareness eLearning training. It is designed to make sure that when we share a concern that a vulnerable individual may be being radicalised, that the referral is robust, informed and with good intention, and that the response to that concern is considered, and proportionate.
Channel awareness
This training package is for anyone who may be asked to contribute to, sit on, or even run a Channel Panel. It is aimed at all levels, from a professional asked to input and attend for the first time, to a member of staff new to their role and organising a panel meeting.
Prevent refresher
Find out about the refresher course from the Home Office.
You must have previously completed the awareness course before beginning this refresher course.
This course is for anyone who has already completed the awareness course and would like a reminder of the key points. We suggest you do this course every year, however you should refer to your local Prevent training policy for advice.
Other useful information
Thames Valley Police has a page which explains the role of Prevent Team officers.
Counter Terrorism Police have a safeguarding website aimed at family and friends to encourage them to share concerns that a friend or loved one might be vulnerable to radicalisation.
The partnership wish to thank the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership for the support with writing this guide. Find the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership PREVENT guidance here.
