Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation Policy

Introduction

The City of Liverpool College is committed to providing a secure environment for students, where they feel safe and are kept safe. All adults at The City of Liverpool College recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, irrespective of the role they undertake or whether their role has direct contact or responsibility for students or not. 

Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation is one element within our overall College arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students in line with our statutory duties. This policy also draws upon the Government’s ‘Prevent’ agenda and associated guidance document, ‘Revised Prevent Duty Guidance 20213’, and the DfE Guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2023’. 

College Ethos and Practice

When operating this policy, The City of Liverpool College uses the following accepted Governmental definition of extremism which is: 

‘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; and/or calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas’. 

Extremists of all persuasions aim to develop destructive relationships between different communities by promoting division, fear and mistrust of others based on ignorance or prejudice and thereby limiting the life chances of young people. Education is a powerful weapon against this; equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and critical thinking, to challenge and debate in an informed way. 

The College does not tolerate extremist views of any kind whether from internal sources; learners, staff or governors, or external sources; the college community, external agencies or individuals. Students see our College as a safe place where they can explore controversial issues safely and where our lecturers encourage and facilitate this, effectively embedding fundamental British values into their teaching and learning practices. We have a duty to ensure this happens. 

As a college, we recognise that extremism and exposure to extremist materials and influences can lead to poor outcomes for students and so should be addressed as a safeguarding concern, as set out in this policy. We also recognise that if we fail to challenge extremist views, we are failing to protect our students, therefore, at The City of Liverpool College we will provide a broad and balanced tutorial programme, delivered by skilled professionals, so that our students understand and become tolerant of difference and diversity. We will ensure that they feel valued and not marginalised. 

Any prejudice, discrimination or extremist views, including derogatory language, displayed by students or staff will always be challenged and where appropriate dealt with in accordance with our Student Conduct Policy and the Staff Disciplinary and Dismissal Policy. 

As part of wider safeguarding responsibilities, College staff will be alert to:

• Disclosures by students of their exposure to extremist actions, views or materials of others outside, such as in their homes or community groups, especially where students have not actively sought these out
• Graffiti symbols, writing or artwork promoting extremist messages or images 
• Students accessing extremist material online, including through social networking sites 
• Parental reports of changes in behaviour, friendship or actions and requests for assistance 
• Partner colleges, local authority services, and police reports of issues affecting students in other colleges or settings 
• Students voicing opinions drawn from extremist ideologies and narratives 
• Use of extremist or ‘hate’ terms to exclude others or incite violence 
• Intolerance of difference, whether secular or religious or, in line with our Equalities Policy, views based on, but not exclusive to, gender, disability, homophobia, race, colour or culture 
• Attempts to impose extremist views or practices on others 
• Anti-Western or Anti-British views. 

Our College will closely follow any locally agreed procedure as set out by the Local Authority and/or Liverpool Safeguarding Children’s Partnership’s agreed processes and criteria for safeguarding individuals vulnerable to extremism and radicalisation. 

We will help support students who may be vulnerable to such influences as part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities and where we believe a student is being directly affected by extremist materials or influences, we will ensure that the student is offered mentoring. Additionally in such instances our College will seek external support from the Local Authority and/or local partnership structures working to prevent extremism. 

By delivering a broad and balanced tutorial programme, augmented by the use of external sources, where appropriate, we will strive to ensure our students recognise risk and build resilience to manage any such risk themselves, where appropriate to their age and ability, but also to help them develop the critical thinking skills needed to engage in informed debate. 

Raising Concerns

Where there are concerns of extremism or radicalisation, students and staff will be encouraged to discuss them with a member of the Safeguarding Team or Principal. The procedure for reporting and referring safeguarding concerns will apply. 

Role of Governing Body

The Governing Body of the College will undertake appropriate training to ensure that they are clear about their role and the parameters of their responsibilities as Governors, including their statutory safeguarding duties. The Governing Body of the College will support the ethos and values of our College and will support it in tackling extremism and radicalisation. 

In line with the provisions set out in the DfE guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2023’ the Governing Body will challenge the College’s Senior Leadership team on the delivery of this policy and monitor its effectiveness. Governors will review this policy annually and may amend and adopt it outside of this timeframe, in accordance with any new legislation or guidance or in response to any quality assurance recommendations pertaining to the delivery of this policy and the overall safeguarding arrangements made.