Another aspect of safeguarding is the PREVENT duty, which requires the Further Education sector to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism", supporting terrorism or being drawn into non-violent extremism.
There is a duty to ensure that those identified with vulnerabilities are given appropriate advice and support. The Government has defined extremism as "vocal or active opposition to fundamental British Values", which include:
- Individual liberty
- Rule of law
- Democracy
- Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
This includes not discriminating against those with protected characteristics (Equality Act 2010), namely:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race religion and belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation.
Under the PREVENT duty, St Helens College has designated 'point of contact', who is Jeanine Williams. Who can be contacted on the Safeguarding Number which is 07545103527.
Employees at St Helens College have received training and been briefed on the range of vulnerabilities that would indicate that an individual may need support. Although having one or more of those characteristics will not necessarily drive someone to terrorism, it is a possibility, and staff are being urged to be vigilant and to report any concerns to a safeguarding officer/one of the point of contacts.
