Prevent Duty

1. The Prevent Duty

The Prevent Duty, which came into force for universities in September 2015 as part of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, places legal requirements on the University to minimise the risk of individuals being drawn into terrorism and to ensure vulnerable individuals receive timely and appropriate support. The University therefore needs to have appropriate processes and policies in place to comply with the Duty and are protecting vulnerable members of our community.  

2. Leadership and oversight

The University Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer is the lead for Prevent in the University and chairs the Prevent Group which oversees implementation of the Duty.

The Board of Governors is responsible for oversight and regular reports are made to the Student Liaison Committee, the Audit and Risk Committee and the Board of Governors.

3. Risk assessment

As part of its implementation of the Prevent Duty, the University maintains a risk assessment which is reviewed and updated regularly and which drives activity in relation to Prevent. The overall assessment is that the risk to any individual of being radicalised within the University is low, although it is recognised that there are threats to students within their own communities.

4. A welfare approach

The University’s approach to implementing the Prevent Duty is to integrate it as part of its welfare activities. At the heart of this, we will continue to encourage a culture whereby all members of the University community feel involved and socially included in University life and support others to do the same. We consider this the most effective means of reducing the likelihood of individuals becoming isolated and vulnerable.

To ensure that vulnerable students are identified and supported, the University has developed a cause for concern policy to help staff deal with students in distress. This policy includes guidance on identifying and dealing with students who may be radicalised, underpinned by help and support for students through the Welfare team and Counselling team. Personal tutors are trained on the policy. This is supplemented by tutorials on fundamental British values for those students on FE and Apprenticeship courses. 

In addition, the University has a safeguarding policy which provides support for students who are under the age of 18 in order to comply with its statutory duties.  

As part of Student Services, the University offers chaplaincy support to those of all faiths and none. The University also provides a contemplation zone on each site for use by staff and students. The use of these zones is monitored by means of the Faith and Spirituality Group which meets to ensure that they are being used appropriately, but also to ensure good relationships are developed with faith groups across the University.

5. Student guidance

Students have been provided with guidance on studying online. This includes how to stay safe online, with clear reporting lines if they feel uncomfortable with anything that takes place on University online platforms.

6. External speakers

We are committed to maintaining an inclusive and supportive environment where all members of the University community are encouraged to engage in debate and to pursue both academic and non-academic interests. However, such debates must be within the law and to ensure that no one on campus or off campus is exposed to extremism, the University has a code of practice on freedom of speech and a policy to ensure appropriate due diligence and action around external speakers. The Students' Union also has appropriate policies in place.

7. Policy framework 

To ensure that there is an appropriate policy framework, the University has created and updated the following key policies and guidance:

• Code of practice on freedom of speech and procedure for external speakers
• Cause for concern: dealing with students in distress
• Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policy
• Information sharing protocol
• Faith and spirituality policy
• Social media guidance
• Research ethics code of practice
• IT policies

University policies may be accessed on our policies and regulations page.

8. Staff training 

The University has a training plan to ensure that all staff have an introduction to Prevent and that more in depth training is provided to those that need it, to ensure that the Prevent strategy is implemented effectively. The training is supplemented by regular briefings on Prevent and training on key issues.

9. Information sharing

The University has an agreed protocol to share any Prevent related incidents with Prevent partners and to refer staff or students to Channel as appropriate.

10. IT safety

The Prevent Duty is referenced in appropriate IT policies.

The University is required to consider web filtering to prevent access to harmful content. It undertakes a review annually of the issue but currently considers that it would be disproportionate to undertake web filtering for all students. It does, however, undertake filtering for FE students in line with the safeguarding children policy. In addition, it provides guidance for students on keeping safe online. 

11. Working in partnership

It is key to the success of the University's implementation of Prevent that it works in partnerships with the Students' Union (SU). The SU are members of the University Prevent Group and are invited to all training events.

The University also works closely with local authority and DfE partners to ensure that it has an up-to-date understanding of the current threat and has a wealth of support services available for staff and students, whether they are anxious about the impact of the Duty on themselves or if they have welfare concerns about others within the University.

12. Contacts

Any concerns regarding an individual's welfare should be directed to the Student Services Welfare Team (studentwelfare@uwl.ac.uk).

Any concerns relating to Prevent should be directed to the University Secretary (University.Secretary@uwl.ac.uk).