NATIONAL PRIORITIES PREVENT EXTREMISM AND RADICALISATION AT EPPING FOREST COLLEGE OCTOBER 2017
1 INTRODUCTION Section 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 the Principal, Safeguarding Governor, DSO, Deputy DSO, support and teaching staff. The meeting is fully minuted with actions reported to Executive Assistants. The Prevent Risk Assessment and Action Plan is also reviewed by CLT. 1.3 The meeting is fully minuted with actions reported to Executive assistants. The action Plan and Risk Assessment is also reviewed by SMT. REFERRALS 1.4 In 2015 16 the college made one referral to Prevent and in 2016-17 the College made three referrals to Prevent. MANAGING RISK & PROMOTING PREVENT 1.5 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. Due to the large proportion of students who travel to study at EFC on the Central Line from Greater London, close working relationships have also been fostered with the Metropolitan Police. 1.6 Profile across College has been raised by a series of British Values and Prevent posters in strategic high footfall areas on the campus. During Induction, students receive standardised presentations that included Prevent. 1.7 Prevent is part of the staff induction process, as at October 2017, 97% of all staff have completed the Prevent online module. The outstanding 3% are new recruits to the college and still within their completion window. 1.8 COSHH risk assessments are managed and assessed by a Senior Health and Safety Consultant from Judicium Education. 1.9 The college has adopted a zero tolerance policy to the wearing of ID lanyards and no hats or hoods for 2017-18, CLT and the security team assist with a high presence and visibility to ensure that students wear and display their lanyards at all times. 1.10 E-safety continues to be a priority. The use of the EFC network is monitored using Impero, a software package that monitor display captures the when any trigger word is input. The trigger words are derived from a number of policies and procedures, including the EFC 14-16 Safeguarding Policy and the EFC the Safeguarding Young People and Adults Policy which incorporate Prevent. 1.11 Reports and Monitoring. The College through its CLT and Governance reporting continues to monitor Prevent and radicalisation and extremism with reports and action plans on Covalent.
2 CONTEXT 2.1 The five members of the Student Engagement Team (based in One Stop and the 14-16 office) work with learners across the college to publicise Prevent. 2.2 Imprero software installed, in operation and monitored daily. 2.3 HOW WE DELIVER BRITISH VALUES 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 EFC values are embedded British Values. 2.5 FC holds a public display of respect (one minute of silence in the Foyer) following all tragedies E resulting in the significant loss of life, including acts of terrorism.
RISK ASSESSMENT ASPECTS OF PREVENT 2.6 Policies and procedures in place for the management of external events and speakers held on the premises. 2.7 Staff involved in the physical security of the estate have an awareness of the Prevent duty. 2.8 As an Institution we have clear and visible policies and procedures for managing whistle-blowing and complaints. 2.9 The DfE FE/HE Prevent Adviser has trained the SET and ALS Team and Governors during 2017-2018. 2.10 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 promoting extremist organisations. 2.11 Apprentices and their employers are given key Prevent information by assessors. 2.12 Epping Forest College is a highly inclusive college and celebrates diversity. The college has an active Equality and Diversity Forum and has launched a LGTB+ Friends and Allies Committee for 2017-2018. 2.13 The college recognises that dialogue and conversation are essential ingredients to enable students to discuss and articulate concerns around extremism and radicalisation. 2.14 As a College we work to the government 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. 2.15 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. 2.16 We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas. 2.17 Pastoral care is a strength of the college and was cited in the Matrix reaccreditation report of April 2017. The college has continued to invest in its care of students with the appointment of our own in house College Counsellor for 2017-2018.
3 THE CURRENT CHALLENGE 3.1 he College has a clear policy and procedures in place for protecting children at risk of T radicalisation. These procedures are set out in the existing EFC 14-16 Safeguarding Policy and the EFC the Safeguarding Young People and Adults Policy. 3.2 he Government expect colleges to ensure appropriate internet filters and monitoring systems are T in place to protect pupils from potentially harmful and/or inappropriate online material. In response to this the college has invested in Imprero software, a highly sophisticated IT tool for monitoring staff and student IT usage. 3.3 The software produces alerts which flag potential violations and allows interventions to take place. 3.4 ll staff are alert to signs to look out for and the individual triggers to be aware of when considering A the risks of potential safeguarding concerns.
4 OUR RESPONSE 4.1 Prevent is an integral part of induction and tutorial booklets. 4.2 A new multi-faith and contemplation Quiet Room opened on October 2016. Representatives from local churches, students and staff were all present for the official opening on 12th October 2016. 4.3 Multi Faith Prayer & Quiet Room policy is in place and the usage of the Multi Faith Prayer & Quiet Room is a standing item at the Equality and Diversity Forum. 4.4 The Keeping Students and Young People Safe Against Radicalisation and Extremism Policy provides advice to parents, carers, visitors, volunteers, employers and contractors. 4.5 Epping Forest College believes that embedding kindness 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 where all staff and students are encouraged to engage in random acts of kindness and think of one another without any prejudice or negativity. 4.6 All staff training from a survivor of a terror attack, Bjorn Ihler, of Extremely Together. 4.7 Worked in partnership with Epping Forest Safer Communities to obtain a sanitised copy of the Essex Counter Terrorism Local Profile (CTLP). 5 NEXT STEPS 5.1 Further practice, review and revision of the Lock Down protocols and procedures. 5.2 Imprero Alerts Feedback is a standing agenda item at the Safeguarding Forum. 5.3 Staff training ongoing CPD programme. 5.4 Audit and learning walks of Prevent lessons and delivery. 5.5 Visiting Speakers commissioned as part of the EVI (E6) enrichment programme. 5.6 The Equality and Diversity calendar and monthly themed events showcase celebration of different cultures. 5.7 Creating electronic badges to promote and raise awareness of cultural differences and encourage inclusion and respect. 5.8 Continue to promote #BelieveInKindness to all students, staff and visitors. 5.9 Use the sanitised Essex Counter Terrorism Local Profile (CTLP) to inform future planning to combat extremism.
For further information: PHIL HALL Deputy Principal (020) 8502 8634 phall@efc.ac.uk