The University has a duty under the government’s Prevent Duty Guidance to safeguard our student community against the risk of radicalisation. Prevent is a part of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy and aims to do three things:
More information about Prevent
You can find out more about on the University’s dedicated webpage here.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.
More information about radicalisation and what to do if you are concerned that a student is becoming radicalised.
The University is strongly committed to providing an environment for robust, challenging debate, and to championing freedom of speech within the law for all staff, students and visitors. This is enshrined in our constitutional documents and in the principles of our Code on Freedom of Speech.
Visiting and External Speaker Policy
The duty to protect children, young people and adults at risk from harm extends to protecting them and the wider student community from involvement in groups which set out to radicalise individuals. The government’s Prevent Duty Guidance defines radicalisation as '...the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups'.
Universities have been identified within the government’s Prevent Strategy as potential sites for radicalisation. Whilst children, young people and adults at risk may be most at risk of radicalisation students and staff who do not fall into these categories may also be at risk.
Factors which are considered when determining whether an individual may be vulnerable to involvement with terrorism are broadly described as:
Staff or students may be concerned about someone due to changes in behaviour or appearance. For example:
There may be many reasons for such changes, which is why a safeguarding approach should be adopted as this enables relevant services within and outside the University to identify an individual’s needs and vulnerabilities.
If a member of staff is concerned that a colleague may be becoming radicalized they should follow the guidance on how to refer.
If you are a student and concerned that an individual may be becoming radicalised, you should discuss this with your Head of Department or other senior member of staff in your School who will follow the process above.