Safeguarding First
Prevent concerns are considered through child-protection and safeguarding procedures.
PREVENT DUTY & SAFEGUARDING
Protecting Learners From Radicalisation and Extremist Influence
Reconnect Learning's Prevent arrangements form part of our wider safeguarding framework and are designed to protect children and young people from radicalisation, extremist influence, coercion, grooming and related harm.
Our approach is proportionate, child-centred and education-led, with clear safeguarding escalation where concerns arise.
OUR PREVENT ARRANGEMENTS
Prevent sits within safeguarding
DSL oversight and safeguarding escalation
Awareness of vulnerability and behavioural change
Online radicalisation and harmful-content awareness
Critical thinking and respectful discussion
British Values within learning and mentoring
Multi-agency advice and referral where required
Approach
Safeguarding-Led
Leadership
DSL Oversight
Online
Risk-Aware
Education
Critical Thinking
Escalation
Multi-Agency
OUR PREVENT COMMITMENT
Prevent is part of our wider safeguarding responsibility
Protecting children from radicalisation is part of protecting them from harm, exploitation, coercion and abuse.
Reconnect Learning focuses on early identification, trusted relationships, safe discussion, online safety, professional curiosity and clear safeguarding routes.
OUR PREVENT PRINCIPLE
Our role is not to label young people. It is to recognise concern, respond proportionately and ensure the right safeguarding support is considered.
SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES
Safe, inclusive and professionally led
Early Identification
Staff remain alert to vulnerability, behavioural change, isolation, coercion and concerning online activity.
Respect & Inclusion
We promote respectful discussion, belonging, inclusion and positive participation in society.
EDUCATION, NOT FEAR
A proportionate and child-centred approach
Children and young people may be vulnerable to harmful influence for many different reasons, including isolation, trauma, anxiety, unmet needs, identity struggles, peer pressure, online exposure or a need to belong.
The presence of vulnerability does not itself mean that a child is being radicalised. Concerns must be considered carefully and in context.
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
How education can help
Trusted relationships with safe adults
Critical thinking and media literacy
Confidence to question harmful claims
Safe discussion of difficult issues
Understanding manipulation and coercion
Knowing how and where to seek help
POLICY COVERAGE
What the Prevent Policy covers
The policy explains how Reconnect Learning identifies, records, reports and escalates concerns about radicalisation, extremist influence and related safeguarding risks.
Prevent Duty responsibilities
Radicalisation awareness
Extremism awareness
Online radicalisation risks
Vulnerability factors
Professional curiosity
Critical thinking skills
Safe online behaviour
British Values
Reporting concerns
Channel consideration
Multi-agency working
Grooming and coercion
Identity and belonging
Hateful or intolerant narratives
Safeguarding record keeping
RECOGNISING VULNERABILITY
Indicators should always be considered in context
Changes in Behaviour
Sudden withdrawal, secrecy, intolerance, fixation, fear or significant changes in language and relationships may require further consideration.
Online Influence
Exposure to extremist material, closed online groups, harmful influencers, propaganda or manipulative messages may increase vulnerability.
Isolation & Belonging
A young person experiencing isolation or uncertainty about identity may be vulnerable to individuals or groups offering certainty or belonging.
Coercion & Grooming
Radicalisation may involve grooming, emotional manipulation, secrecy, pressure, threats or exploitation.
Unmet Needs & Trauma
Trauma, anxiety, unmet SEND needs or disrupted relationships may form part of a wider safeguarding picture.
Professional Curiosity
No single sign proves radicalisation. Staff should notice patterns, seek advice and avoid making assumptions.
ONLINE RADICALISATION
Digital spaces can be used to influence, groom and isolate
Young people may encounter harmful narratives through social media, messaging platforms, gaming environments, video platforms, online communities and direct communication.
Online radicalisation should be considered alongside wider digital safeguarding, grooming and exploitation risks.
Online Safety →Online risks may include:
Extremist propaganda or harmful narratives
Closed or private online communities
Manipulative influencers or recruiters
Targeted grooming and private messaging
Misinformation and conspiracy content
Pressure to isolate from trusted adults
Content encouraging hatred or violence
PROMOTING BRITISH VALUES
Respect, participation and informed decision-making
Democracy
Understanding participation, representation and the value of different voices.
Rule of Law
Understanding rights, responsibilities and why fair laws protect individuals and communities.
Individual Liberty
Supporting safe choice, self-expression and personal responsibility.
Mutual Respect
Promoting dignity, respectful disagreement and positive relationships.
Different Faiths & Beliefs
Encouraging understanding and respect for people with different beliefs and backgrounds.
PREVENT CONCERN PATHWAY
A clear route from concern to appropriate action
Staff should report Prevent-related concerns through the safeguarding route rather than investigating or confronting the learner themselves.
1
Recognise
A disclosure, pattern or concern is noticed.
2
Report
Factual information is shared with the DSL.
3
Review
Context, vulnerability and immediate safety considered.
4
Seek Advice
Relevant safeguarding or Prevent advice considered.
5
Refer
External referral, including Channel where appropriate.
STAFF TRAINING & AWARENESS
Staff need the confidence to recognise and report concerns
Prevent Awareness
Understanding Prevent and how it connects with safeguarding practice.
Online Radicalisation
Awareness of propaganda, harmful influencers, closed groups and digital grooming.
Recognising Vulnerability
Considering behaviour, context, unmet needs, coercion, identity and belonging.
Reporting Procedures
Knowing when and how to raise concerns through safeguarding leadership.
SCHOOLS, LOCAL AUTHORITIES & COMMISSIONING PARTNERS
Clear Prevent assurance within commissioned provision
Named Safeguarding Leadership
Clear DSL oversight and safeguarding escalation within Reconnect Learning.
Prevent Awareness
Prevent considerations are embedded within wider safeguarding training and professional practice.
Online Risk Awareness
Digital radicalisation, grooming and harmful-content risks form part of online-safety awareness.
Reporting & Escalation
Clear internal safeguarding routes support prompt review of concerns.
British Values
Respectful participation, critical thinking and inclusion are supported through education and mentoring.
Multi-Agency Working
External safeguarding advice and referral can be considered where appropriate.
Proportionate, evidence-led safeguarding decisions
Expressing a controversial opinion, discussing political or religious issues or asking difficult questions does not, on its own, mean that a learner is being radicalised.
Concerns should be considered carefully, professionally and in context. Staff should avoid assumptions and should report relevant concerns through safeguarding procedures.
Reconnect Learning does not investigate alleged extremist activity itself. Where safeguarding concerns arise, the Designated Safeguarding Lead considers the information and determines what safeguarding advice or external action may be appropriate.
PREVENT DUTY FAQs
Questions about our Prevent arrangements
What is the Prevent Duty?
Prevent forms part of the wider safeguarding approach to protecting people from becoming involved in terrorism or supporting terrorism.
Is Prevent a safeguarding responsibility?
Yes. Concerns about radicalisation or extremist influence should be considered through safeguarding procedures.
Does having strong political or religious views mean a learner is being radicalised?
No. Views, beliefs or difficult questions must be considered in context. No single indicator proves radicalisation.
What should staff do if they have a Prevent concern?
Staff should share factual information through the appropriate safeguarding route and seek advice rather than investigating the matter themselves.
Can radicalisation happen online?
Yes. Harmful narratives, grooming, propaganda and manipulative contact can take place through social media, messaging services, gaming and other online spaces.
What is Channel?
Channel is a multi-agency process that may be considered where there are concerns about vulnerability to radicalisation.
Does Reconnect Learning make Channel referrals automatically?
No. Concerns are considered individually and appropriate safeguarding or Prevent advice is sought where required.
How are British Values relevant to Prevent?
Education can support democracy, individual liberty, respect, tolerance, informed decision-making and safe participation in society.
Does Prevent apply to online learning and home tuition?
Safeguarding responsibilities, including relevant Prevent considerations, apply across Reconnect Learning's different forms of provision.
Do staff investigate suspected radicalisation themselves?
No. Staff should recognise and report concerns. Investigation or external assessment sits with the appropriate safeguarding or statutory route.
Where can I download the Prevent Policy?
The full policy can be accessed through the download links on this page.
Where can I find Reconnect Learning's other safeguarding information?
The wider safeguarding section contains information about safeguarding, online safety, safer recruitment and related policies.