NATIONAL PRIORITIES PREVENT EXTREMISM & RADICALISATION AT EPPING FOREST COLLEGE

NATIONAL PRIORITIES PREVENT EXTREMISM & RADICALISATION AT EPPING FOREST COLLEGE

1 INTRODUCTION S ection 26 (1) of the Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015 ( the Act ) imposes a duty on specified authorities, when exercising their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. There is an important role for further education institutions, including sixth form colleges and independent training providers, in helping prevent people being drawn into terrorism, which includes not just violent extremism but also non-violent extremism, which can create an atmosphere conducive to terrorism and can popularise views which terrorists exploit. 1.1

THIS DOCUMENT REPORTS THE APPROACHES OF EPPING FOREST COLLEGE TO FULFIL AND EXCEED OUR OBLIGATIONS ON THE PREVENT AGENDA. 1.2 The College operates a Prevent Risk Assessment and Action Plan that is reviewed monthly as part of the Safeguarding Forum. The Safeguarding Forum is a college committee including Principal, senior managers, link Safeguarding governor and key members of staff including safeguarding coordinators, estates and lettings management and youth workers. 1.3 The meeting is fully minuted with actions reported to Executive assistants. The action Plan and Risk Assessment is also reviewed by SMT. 1.4 Teaching staff have been given responsibility for delivering Radicalisation and British Values within the study programme. This is coordinated by Teaching and Learning coaches based in the curriculum. REFERRALS 1.5 In 2015 16 the college made ONE referral to Prevent, in the summer of 2016 the College also worked with Essex Police on a college leaver who was also subject of a Prevent referral. MANAGING RISK & PROMOTING PREVENT 1.6 The Government expect the institution to have robust procedures both internally and externally for sharing information about vulnerable individuals. This should include information sharing agreements where possible. Liaison with Essex Police began with an Information Sharing agreement in February 2014 and this is used currently to assist investigations. 1.7 Profile across College has been raised by a series of British Values and Prevent Posters in strategic high footfall areas on the campus. Induction included standardised presentations that included Prevent. 1.8 Staff updates in Prevent has begun with half of curricula staff update trained in September 2016 and the remainder planned for November 2016. 1.9 COSHH risk assessments are managed and assessed by the Estates Manager. 1.10 ID lanyards have been a focus over 2015-16 and security teams and SMT assist with a high presence and visibility to ensure that students wear and display their lanyards at all times. 1.11 Guest Wi Fi and access to IT. Policies have been updated to include references to Prevent. The guest Wi Fi and IT was also included to tighten exposure to risk. 1.12 Reports and Monitoring. The College through its SMT and Governance reporting continues to monitor Prevent and radicalisation and extremism with reports and action plans.

2 CONTEXT 2.1 Structural change 2015 16 to introduce Student Engagement Team to work with learners and publicise Prevent. 2.2 Imprero software installed and in operation. HOW WE DELIVER BRITISH VALUES 2.3 As a College we work to the guidelines that state appropriate members of staff to have an understanding of the factors that make people vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism and to challenge extremist ideas which are used by terrorist groups and can purport to legitimise terrorist activity. We define extremism as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including Democracy, the Rule of Law, Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect and Tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas. 2.4 Staff received training on how to embed British Values on Monday 4th January 2016 during CPD. 2.5 A booklet entitled Embedding Essential Themes Into Your Lesson was published and distributed to staff following the Mock Inspection feedback. This is also available on ERIC. 2.6 Lesson plan and SOW updated to incorporate words and training has been given to staff around how to complete when planning for learning and how to embed. This has led to a Learning Market on the 9th July 2016 where it was displayed with staff. Impact yet to be measured.

RISK ASSESSMENT ASPECTS OF PREVENT 2.7 Policies and procedures in place for the management of events and speakers held on the premises. 2.8 Staff involved in the physical security of the estate have an awareness of the Prevent duty. 2.9 As an Institution we have clear and visible policies and procedures for managing whistle-blowing and complaints. 2.10 Governor training in Prevent has taken place and staff continue to train via the online Access Academy. 2.11 The College has some subcontracted provision and where we have sub-contracted the delivery of courses to other providers, we monitor that robust procedures are in place to ensure that the sub-contractor is aware of the Prevent duty and the sub-contractor is not inadvertently funding extremist organisations. Apprentices are given key Prevent information by assessors and in 2016/17 this is to be further enhanced by a new dedicated SET member for work based provision. 2.12 Epping Forest College is a highly inclusive college and celebrates diversity. A Diversity showcase event has been agreed for December 2016. The college recognises that dialogue and conversation are essential ingredients to enable students to discuss and articulate concerns around extremism and radicalisation. The College follows the government guidance on what constitutes radicalisation and extremism. 2.13 As a College we work to the guidelines that state appropriate members of staff to have an understanding of the factors that make people vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism and to challenge extremist ideas which are used by terrorist groups and can purport to legitimise terrorist activity. We define extremism as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including Democracy, the Rule of Law, Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect and Tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas. 2.14 Pastoral care is a strength of the college and was cited in the Matrix assessment review of March 2014. The college has continued to invest in its care of students with the appointment of a student engagement team in Nov 2015 and the continued contracting of an independent counselling service, Catch 22.

3 T HE CURRENT CHALLENGE 3.1 T he College has a clear policy and procedures in place for protecting children at risk of radicalisation. These procedures are set out in the existing safeguarding policies. 3.2 The Government expect colleges to ensure appropriate internet filters and monitoring systems are in place to protect pupils from potentially harmful and/or inappropriate online material. In response to this the college has invested in 2015-16 in new Imprero software. This has commenced in September 2016 and is a highly sophisticated IT tool for monitoring staff and student IT usage. 3.3 he software is now in operation and is highly topical to current harmful search words and terms, T in many languages. This flags potential violations and allows interventions and identifications to take place. 3.4 A ll staff are alert to signs to look out for and the individual triggers to be aware of when considering the risks of potential safeguarding concerns. 3.5 All staff receive training via course.ncalt.com/channel_general_awareness.

4 OUR RESPONSE 4.1 For enrolment 2016 Prevent has been added to induction and tutorial booklets. 4.2 Extremism and Radicalisation presentations took place in high visibility student communal areas on two dates in September 2016 for safeguarding Coordinators and SET members took place. This used lets talk about it national themes Oct 2016. 4.3 A new Multi-Faith and contemplation quiet room opened on Oct 12th 2016. Representatives from local churches, students and staff were all present for the official opening on 12th October 2016. 4.4 Multi Faith Prayer & Quiet Room policy is due to be updated Nov 2016. 4.5 Parents Guide and Evening 29th September included reference to Prevent and what to do if you have concerns about behaviour. 4.6 Epping Forest College believes that embedding kindess and due regard for individuals as human being is at the heart of tackling radicalisation and is a key British Value. To embed this behaviour the College has introduced a #ThinkKind month during November 2016 where all staff and students are encourage to engage in random acts of kindness and think of one another without any prejudice or negativity. 4.7 Learner Representatives and performing arts students are taking part in the global #Dance4Kindness in November 2016 showcasing the College s approach to radicalisation by promoting acceptance, tolerance and kindness as a healing power to the troubles of the world. 5 NEXT STEPS 5.1 Lock down protocols and procedures are being introduced with Essex Police. 5.2 Roll out Imprero training on extremism and radicalisation violations to senior managers. 5.3 Audit of harmful sites to test robustness of system. 5.4 Staff training new staff and CPD programme. 5.5 Audit and learning walks of Prevent lessons and delivery. 5.6 New work based learning SET team member tasked with delivering Prevent information in the workplace. 5.7 Visiting Speakers are being planned 5.8 Diversity showcase celebration of different cultures 5.9 Creating electronic badges to promote and raise awareness of cultural differences and encourage inclusion and respect. 5.10 Create #BelieveInKindness subcommittee of learners representatives as suggested in the November learners rep conference Today, Tomorrow, Together to look at innovative ways of making raising awareness of cultural differences and importance of living in harmony and accepting differences and respecting and celebrating diversity. 5.11 Further develop measures to assess the impact of actions outlined in the College response on learners outcome.

For further information: STEVE GREENWOOD Director Customer Services & Innovation (020) 8502 8732 sgreenwood@efc.ac.uk