The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 contains a duty on specified authorities, which includes schools, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. The new legislation will be measured through  various inspection frameworks, with schools and Children Services measured through OFSTED. The government have produced guidance to help schools deliver the required standards (issued under section 29 of the Act).

We now have a PREVENT Coordinator in post, Bob Spencer, who is looking at plans to ensure schools receive the correct training/support/challenge and are supported in complying with the duties. robert.spencer@walsall.gov.uk

Additionally all schools have received guidance from the LA to support assessing where your school is in relation to the duties, plus a self evaluation tool.

Children Services have considered the implications of this directive and want to ensure that schools go beyond compliance of the OFSTED framework and feel confident in service delivery ensuring our staff and students are safeguarded against the threat of extremism.  Future plans are to up skill school staff in dealing with concerns, and new products are been developed to ensure the inspection framework are met and exceeded .

Every school should nominate a SPOC "Single Point of Contact".

Please see the Prevent leaflet for parents that some schools are using.