The Prevent duty
Imperial has a legal duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act (CTSA) 2015:
in the exercise of [its] functions, to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. (CTSA, Section 26(i))
This is known as the ‘Prevent duty’. Imperial approaches this as part of its wider responsibility to the welfare of its students, staff and visitors.
An important aspect of this duty involves the provision of support to vulnerable individuals who may be at risk of radicalisation or of being drawn into terrorism by an extreme cause, movement or ideology. Prevent concerns may first be noticed as a welfare or mental health matter.
Imperial encourages students and staff to speak confidentially and without prejudice within their Faculty in the first instance, in order to check whether their concern could be Prevent-related.
Please follow the Referral of Concerns procedure if you have a concern which you feel could be relevant to Prevent.
Practical information
In addition to the introductory Prevent module in the Safeguarding Essentials training, Imperial offers an extended Prevent e-learning module designed for key staff at Imperial and the Imperial College Union. The course takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Additional training materials:
Download Imperial's Prevent training slides.
Access e-learning from the Home Office (External)
Access case studies and guidance on identifying Prevent concerns: ACT Early website (External)
Compliance
Specific guidance on complying with the duty was issued by the Home Office under s. 29 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act in July 2015. The guidance as amended in 2019 is available below:
- Revised Prevent duty guidance: for England and Wales (pdf)
- Prevent duty guidance: for higher education institutions in England and Wales (pdf)
Compliance with the Prevent duty is monitored by the Office for Students. Please refer to the OfS Compliance Framework for further information.