Date: October 2025
Review Date: May 2026
Coordinator: Kirsten Roy
Nominated Governor: Claire Farmer
Version: v01.26
Refreshed for KCSIE 2025 — signed off April 2026
This policy was refreshed on 2026-04-29 to align with current statutory guidance: KCSIE 2025, Online Safety Act 2023 (phased duties on user-to-user services), DfE Filtering and Monitoring Standards 2024, Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 (preventive duty re sexual harassment, including third-party harassment), and emerging AI safeguarding considerations (DfE Generative AI in Education 2025, ICO Children’s Code).
Status: live — signed off 29 April 2026 by Proprietor and Governing Body.
1. Scope
This policy applies to all staff, contractors, governors, learners and volunteers at The Haven, including those engaging in hyflex (hybrid and flexible) learning models. It encompasses all activities, online and in-person, and collaboration with other educational providers, families, local authorities and external agencies.
2. Purpose
This policy aims to:
● Safeguard learners from the risk of radicalisation and exposure to extremist ideologies.
● Ensure staff are trained to recognise signs of radicalisation and know how to respond.
● Promote democratic values, human rights, and critical thinking within the school and its wider community.
● Meet statutory duties under the Prevent Duty as outlined in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
3. Definitions
● Extremism: 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. Includes calls for the death of members of the armed forces.
● Radicalisation: The process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.
● Terrorism: An action that endangers life or property, or seeks to influence the government or intimidate the public to advance a political, religious, or ideological cause.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
● Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Kirsten Roy
● Deputy DSL: Tammy McChristie
● The DSL is the named Prevent Lead responsible for implementation, oversight, and training.
● The Governing Board ensures strategic oversight and monitoring of compliance.
5. Identifying and Reporting Concerns
● All staff are expected to maintain professional curiosity and report any concerns regarding radicalisation or extremism.
● Concerns must be reported immediately to the DSL, who will assess risk and refer to the appropriate channel if necessary.
● Urgent concerns (where a child is at immediate risk) must be reported to the police.
6. Training and Awareness
● All staff receive Prevent awareness training on induction and refresher training annually.
● Specialist training is provided to SLT, governors, and safeguarding staff. ● Staff are trained to understand online threats, digital grooming, and extremist narratives.
7. Online Safety and Digital Resilience
● The Haven deploys age-appropriate filtering and monitoring systems aligned with DfE’s “Meeting Digital and Technology Standards in Schools and Colleges” guidance.
● Learners are educated about online safety, critical thinking, and misinformation through the curriculum.
● Learner activity on school platforms is monitored, with appropriate escalation routes for concerning behaviour.
8. External Speakers and Partnerships
● All external speakers must be pre-approved through a risk assessment process.
● Content must align with the school’s values and safeguarding framework.
● Any breach will result in cancellation of the event and potential referral to authorities.
9. Prevent within the Curriculum
● Resilience to radicalisation is embedded across subjects, especially in RSHE, Global Perspectives, and Life Skills.
● Learners explore diverse viewpoints, democratic principles, and strategies for respectful debate.
● The Haven’s hybrid model ensures safeguarding and PSHE delivery in both virtual and live formats.
10. Channel Programme Referrals
● Channel is a voluntary, confidential programme that supports individuals at risk of being drawn into terrorism.
● Where a risk is identified, the DSL will consult with Channel partners and facilitate a referral where appropriate.
11. Working in Partnership
● The Haven works proactively with local Prevent coordinators, safeguarding partners, and the police.
● We contribute to multi-agency safeguarding work and participate in Prevent education networks.
● Communication with parents is prioritised unless doing so increases risk to the learner.
12. Risk Assessment: The Haven
a. Risk Context:
● The Haven supports learners nationally, including those disengaged from mainstream education. These learners may be more vulnerable to online grooming or isolation.
● The school operates digitally, which creates a unique risk profile relating to unsupervised access to the internet.
b. Leadership and Oversight:
● DSL is the Prevent Lead.
● Governor for Safeguarding is responsible for Prevent oversight.
● Prevent is a standing item in safeguarding audits and governance meetings. c. Staff Training:
● All staff receive annual Prevent training.
● The DSL and Principal receive advanced training through the local Prevent partnership.
d. IT and Filtering:
● The Haven’s approved digital stack — Canvas (VLE/LMS), Pencil Spaces (collaborative whiteboard), Google Workspace for Education (Meet, Drive, Gmail) and TutorCruncher (administration and safeguarding records) — is configured with role-based access, age-appropriate filtering and active monitoring aligned with the DfE Filtering and Monitoring Standards (2024).
● The Haven does not use unmoderated community chat platforms (e.g. Discord) for learner communication. All learner interaction is on approved, monitored channels.
● Learner activity on school platforms is recorded and staff receive alerts for flagged content. Parents are supported with advice on safe internet use at home.
e. Building Resilience:
● Our Personal Development programme encourages learner voice, autonomy, and critical thinking.
● Topics include: digital literacy, rights and responsibilities, freedom of expression, and how to challenge hate speech.
f. Intervention:
● Learners at risk are identified early and referred for early help or safeguarding intervention.
● Escalation to Channel is made when thresholds are met.
g. Monitoring and Review:
● Termly safeguarding reports include Prevent updates.
● This risk assessment is reviewed annually or following any incident.
13. Review and Compliance
● This policy will be reviewed annually or upon updates to national guidance. ● The Haven complies with:
○ The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
○ The Prevent Duty Guidance 2023
○ Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025
○ Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
14. Commitment
The Haven remains committed to ensuring all children and young people are safe, confident, and empowered to stand against extremism in all its forms.