Ask questions. Respect differences. Raise concerns.

What Prevent means

Prevent aims to stop people becoming involved in or supporting terrorism. Education providers have responsibilities to consider concerns about radicalisation through their safeguarding arrangements. Support and decisions should be proportionate to the situation, rather than based on assumptions about a person’s identity.

A person’s religion, ethnicity, political opinions or willingness to debate a difficult subject is not, by itself, evidence of radicalisation. There is no single profile. If you are concerned about behaviour or a risk of harm, explain what you actually observed to the designated safeguarding lead.

When to ask for help

You might be worried that someone is being pressured to support terrorist violence, is receiving threatening contact, or is being drawn into activity that could harm them or others. You might also be unsure how to respond to disturbing material you have encountered online.

Tell your provider’s safeguarding lead or the alternative contact in its policy. You can say: “I am worried about this message or conversation, and I am not sure what it means.” Share the context and distinguish direct observations from assumptions. Do not wait until you can prove a concern, and do not try to investigate a person or group yourself.

Keep yourself and others safe online

If safe, stop engaging with contact that is threatening or pressuring you. Do not repost, download or circulate harmful material to ask a group what they think. Explain where you encountered it to the safeguarding lead and ask how to preserve any necessary information safely. If a threat creates immediate danger, call 999.

Use your provider’s reporting route rather than entering sensitive information into shared portfolio evidence or an AI conversation. Ask who will receive the concern and what response you should expect. Relevant information may need to be shared with safeguarding services; confidentiality is not an unconditional promise of secrecy.

British values in everyday learning

British values can be explored through ordinary decisions at work and in learning. They include democratic participation, respect for the law, personal freedoms, and respect for people with different beliefs or none. Practical examples include:

• Giving learners a fair opportunity to influence group decisions and explain their views.
• Understanding why workplace rules exist and using proper channels to challenge unfair treatment.
• Recognising another person’s right to make lawful choices without pressure or intimidation.
• Discussing disagreement without harassment, threats or assumptions about someone’s background.

These principles leave room for questions and respectful disagreement. If a discussion becomes intimidating, ask your tutor to help restore a safe learning environment. You should not have to handle a threatening exchange alone.

What happens after a concern?

Your provider’s safeguarding lead considers the concern and the appropriate local route. Raising a concern does not mean a particular outcome has been decided. Ask what happens next, how you can provide further information safely and whom to contact if the situation changes.

Read the official guidance

See Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales, the education safeguarding introduction and the government explanation of British values. Follow your provider’s current policy for named contacts and local arrangements.

Support that fits the concern

A proportionate response starts by understanding the circumstances, rather than attaching a label to someone. Your provider’s safeguarding lead can consider the concern alongside other support needs and relevant local advice. A referral or conversation does not establish that someone has committed an offence.

If something happens at work, tell the safeguarding lead where it occurred and whether your employer already knows. Ask who will coordinate any necessary contact between the provider and employer, what information is needed and how you will hear about the next step. You do not need to arrange that coordination or assess a colleague’s beliefs yourself. Report a change in risk promptly.