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PREVENT

Understanding Prevent and Your Responsibilities

Prevent is a safeguarding initiative designed to protect children, young people, and communities from the risks of radicalisation and extremism. It focuses on early intervention to support individuals who may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.

As an employer, you play a vital role in safeguarding those in your care. You may notice changes in an apprentice’s behaviour before their peers, family members, or colleagues do. Recognising and responding to concerns early can make a significant difference.

On this page, you will find essential information about your Prevent responsibilities, guidance on identifying potential risks, and details on where to access further support.

🔹 Extremism – Defined as the vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, tolerance, and individual liberty.

🔹 Radicalisation – The process by which an individual becomes sympathetic to or supportive of extremist or terrorist ideologies. There is no single profile of a person at risk of radicalisation, and the process can vary for each individual and ideology.

Terrorist groups actively seek to radicalise individuals in order to gain support for their ideologies. They often use peer pressure, social bonding, and indoctrination to influence vulnerable individuals. However, there is no single profile of a person who may be at risk of radicalisation, making it crucial to remain vigilant.

The risk factors can vary depending on location, age, and personal circumstances. Professionals also have a responsibility to stay informed about potential concerns within their local communities and act when necessary.

Signs That Someone May Be at Risk of Radicalisation

While there is no definitive way to identify an individual at risk, some warning signs may include:

  • Uncharacteristic or secretive behaviour
  • Becoming isolated or rejected by peers
  • Signs of stress, anxiety, or depression
  • Being a victim or witness to hate crimes
  • Sudden changes in behaviour, beliefs, or appearance influenced by ideological beliefs
  • Possessing literature or materials linked to extremist views
  • Displaying symbols or tattoos associated with extremist ideologies
  • Frequenting or sharing extremist websites or content
  • Expressing sympathy for extremist ideologies

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to seek advice and take appropriate action to safeguard individuals from further risk.

With the rise of social media, it is crucial to recognise how easily it can be exploited to radicalise individuals on a large scale. Terrorist organisations frequently use digital platforms to spread their ideology, recruit supporters, and manipulate vulnerable individuals. This process is considered a form of grooming, with research from the NSPCC highlighting that teenagers are particularly at risk of online radicalisation.

Useful Resources for Safeguarding and Prevent

If you have concerns about terrorism or radicalisation, or if you are looking for more information on safeguarding, online safety, and the Prevent Duty, the following resources provide valuable guidance and support:

🔹 Report terrorism online – If you suspect terrorist activity, you can report it via the UK Government website: www.gov.uk/report-terrorism

🔹 Understanding radicalisation and extremism – Learn more about recognising the signs and how to prevent radicalisation at: Educate Against Hate

🔹 Prevent Duty training for Further Education and Training Providers – Access resources and online training tailored for education providers at: Prevent for FE and Training

🔹 Online safety guidance and resources – Find information, advice, and tools to help individuals stay safe online at: Internet Matters

🔹 Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) – CEOP works with child protection agencies across the UK and internationally to combat online threats and protect children from harm. Visit: www.ceop.gov.uk

🔹 Safe internet use – The BBC provides tips and guidance on staying safe online: BBC Online Safety

These resources offer crucial information to help safeguard individuals from potential threats both online and offline.

Reporting Concerns

It is essential to recognise that anyone can be at risk of radicalisation or extremism. As staff members, it is our responsibility to stay vigilant and be aware of the warning signs that someone may be vulnerable to these influences.

If you have concerns that an apprentice may be at risk or has been radicalised, please contact their allocated Skills Coach, who will escalate the concern to RM Training’s Safeguarding Officer.

If their Skills Coach is unavailable, you should contact our Safeguarding Officer directly:

☎️ Phone: 01702 782001
📧 Email: safeguarding@rmtraining.co.uk