The Prevent Duty

The University takes a proactive, safeguarding-focused approach to implementing our Prevent duty. Individuals at risk of radicalisation are covered by our Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy along with children, young people and adults at risk.

Each department has a named Designated Safeguarding Officer who can provide advice to colleagues about referral routes and can talk through concerns. Key front-line staff are given training on what to do when they are concerned for a student's welfare, for any reason, and we offer a wide range of support and advice services to all students.

Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy

Teesside University is committed to keeping all of our staff, students and visitors safe and whilst we will all have different levels of interaction with the Prevent agenda, we can all play our part in achieving this ambition.

We have to remember that 'radical' thought is not negative; indeed most great innovations are the result of radical thinking and that being at University is rightly a time when students are experimenting with new thoughts and political ideas. However when these become so far from the norm that an individual sees violence or unlawful actions as legitimate, then we need to intervene. We need to be aware that radicalisation can take place in many forms, face-to-face, via the internet and can be linked to a variety of causes, or none, as is sometimes the case with 'lone wolves' who act without any apparent ideology. Teesside University considers that everyone can be radicalised and whilst there is no set pattern as to how this occurs or definitive list of what to look out for, the following might indicate a student or colleagues who needs some additional support:

The University does not expect individual students or members of staff to identify the reasons someone may need support, therefore any concerns should be referred.

In the case of students, please contact a senior manager in resilience, sport and wellbeing:

Telephone (direct dial): (01642) 342101, 342253 or 384247

If you have concerns about a colleague, telephone a Deputy Director in Human Resources:

Telephone (direct dial): (01642) 342209

If at any time, 24/7, you become aware of a student or colleague who is at imminent risk of harming themselves or others.

Telephone the University Security Team's 24/7 emergency numbers: 01642 342086 or 3200.

Please note that there is no email option. If you feel a student or member of staff may be vulnerable, it is imperative that you discuss your concerns with the appropriate colleague as soon as possible.

Colleagues and students at both at both Middlesbrough and Darlington campuses should follow the same procedures.

Channel is a multi-agency process which ensures vulnerable people of any faith, ethnicity or background receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by people drawing them into harm. Channel is not a criminal matter - it is a multi-agency process to provide support to prevent a person from being drawn into terrorism.

If there is sufficient evidence of concerns that a student or staff member may be at risk of being radicalised, the University (and not individual students or members) has a legal duty to refer that individual to Channel. The University would consider information from student or staff welfare concerns before making a decision to refer a person to Channel.

Participation in the Channel process is voluntary, it cannot be forced on an individual and student or staff welfare concerns will always be considered before making a decision to refer a person to Channel.

• Identifying key risks and writing an action plan. We have developed a risk assessment and action plan which outlines how we will comply with the Prevent Duty in a proportionate manner. This is monitored regularly by a cross university committee, bringing together key colleagues from schools and departments
• Training our staff. Our colleagues have benefitted from a range of training opportunities around all aspects of counter terrorism and student support
• Engaging with our students with our Students Union acting as a critical friend to our actions
• Sharing information, working closely with our colleagues across the region and nationally, we contribute fully to the debate around Prevent
• Protecting freedom of speech and academic freedom which are the cornerstone of our mission as a University. All of our activities around Prevent have protecting these vital freedoms at their heart
• Managing events and visiting / external speakers, ensuring that our staff and students are able to hear different views and engage in proper academic debate
• The use of our IT networks: ensuring that we apply the appropriate security
• Adequate chaplaincy and pastoral support: so we can offer our students advice and information as required
• Reporting our concerns, if any were to arise, to our colleagues in the police

Implementation of the Prevent Duty in the HE sector is monitored by Office for Students (OfS). Each Higher Education Institution must provide an annual report to OfS by 1 December each year stating what it has done over the previous year to ensure that the duty is implemented. Following assessment of this report OfS writes back to the University to advise that in its opinion, the University does or does not have due regard to the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism.

More information about how the OfS monitors Prevent

All employers with apprentices should have an awareness of the following:

• Safeguarding
• The Prevent Duty
• British Values

Safeguarding relates to the protection of the health and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults, enabling them to be free from abuse, neglect or exploitation. We all play a vital role in safeguarding our apprentices and, as such, it is important that employers are aware of how to detect and report a safeguarding issue.
More information on Teesside University's approach to Safeguarding

The Department for Education have reinforced the need 'to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs'.

Teesside University is committed to upholding and actively promoting these values.

Respect and Tolerance - Our learners will develop an understanding of respect and tolerance through:

• Our chaplaincy, offering multi-faith events throughout the calendar year, and a purpose built multi-faith centre where students of all faiths and or no faith can equally find space to socialise, pray and reflect.
• Middlesbrough Pride, developing understanding and respect for our LGBTQ+ community
• Volunteering, work experience and mentoring programmes
• University bullying and harassment policies
• All staff are also required to complete training on diversity and inclusion
• Hate crime reporting
• Our diverse curriculum

Individual Liberty - We seek to protect our learner's individual liberty through:

• Teesside University safeguarding policies and procedures
• Our curriculum
• Access to University support, information and guidance through our student support services
• Counselling and Welfare team and access to a comprehensive suite of mental health services

Democracy - Our learners will develop an understanding of democracy through:

• Our Students' Union, with the opportunity to stand and vote in elections
• Students' Union General Meetings
• A broad range of optional events and seminars, where students are encouraged to voice and reflect on their own ideas
• Being invited to participate in student surveys

Rule of Law - Our learners will develop a respect for the rule of law through:

• Being required to wear ID badges
• Student code of conduct
• Disciplinary procedures and IT protocols
• Lecture and seminar rules