Prevent Duty
Becoming law in 2015, all schools and childcare providers must have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.
The government has defined extremism in the Prevent strategy as: “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British Values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs."
Childcare and Early Years Providers subject to the Prevent duty will be expected to demonstrate activity in the following areas:
- assessing the risk of children being drawn into terrorism.
- demonstrate that they are protecting children and young people from being drawn into terrorism by having robust safeguarding policies.
- ensure that their safeguarding arrangements take into account the policies and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
- make sure that staff have training that gives them the knowledge and confidence to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism, and to challenge extremist ideas which can be used to legitimise terrorism
- expected to ensure children are safe from terrorist and extremist material when accessing the internet
What does this mean in practice?
As a childcare and early years provider you have a critical part to play.
Early years providers serve arguably the most vulnerable and impressionable members of society.
In England, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) accordingly places clear duties on providers to keep children safe and promote their welfare.