Prevent Risk Assessment & Action Plan

Introduction

At Eden Training Solutions (Eden) we are deeply committed to the implementation of the Prevent strategy. This strategy is a crucial part of the government’s counter-terrorism and domestic extremism strategy.

The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, Section 26 (1), imposes a legal obligation on certain bodies, including Eden Training Solutions, to take proactive measures to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism.

The Government’s Prevent Strategy, which is an integral part of the overarching CONTEST Counter Terrorism Strategy, was initially published in 2011. This strategy comprises four elements: Pursue, Protect, Prepare, and Prevent.

The Prevent element, which is the focal point of our efforts, is aimed at early intervention to divert individuals away from terrorist activities. This strategy underwent a revision in 2011 to address all forms of terrorism, including non-violent extremism, thereby ensuring a comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism.

Key Definitions

In our work at Eden, we strictly adhere to the definitions provided by the government’s Prevent Duty Guidance.

Extremism is defined as “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs.

We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas.”

• Radicalisation: This term refers to the process by which individuals come to support terrorism and extremism, and in some cases, join terrorist groups. It is a complex journey and understanding this process is crucial to our preventative efforts.

• Extremism: This is vocal or active opposition to British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. It poses a threat to the cohesion of our society and the wellbeing of individuals.

• Non-violent extremism: This form of extremism, while not accompanied by violence, can create an atmosphere conducive to terrorism and can popularise views which terrorists exploit. 

• Having due regard: This means that authorities, including Eden Training Solutions, should place an appropriate amount of weight on the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. It is about balance and proportionality.

• Interventions: These are projects intended to divert people from terrorist activity. They can take many forms and are a key part of our preventative work.

• Terrorism: This is an action that endangers or causes serious violence to a person/people, causes serious damage to property, or seriously interferes or disrupts an electronic system. It is a serious crime that we are committed to preventing.

Aims and Objectives of the Strategy

The Eden Training Solutions Prevent Strategy is a comprehensive plan designed to identify, monitor, manage, and deal effectively with the threat posed by individuals or groups engaging in radicalisation and extremism.

Our objectives are multifaceted and include developing staff and apprentice awareness of the statutory Prevent duty, safeguarding apprentices from the risks of radicalisation, documenting and recognising current practice, and promoting shared values of respect, tolerance, and democracy.

Curriculum

At Eden Training Solutions, we firmly believe in the power of education to counter the threat of extremism.

We are committed to providing a curriculum that promotes knowledge, skills, and understanding to build the resilience of all apprentices, undermine extremist ideology, and support the apprentice voice. Our curriculum is designed to promote critical thinking, challenge extremist narratives, and equip our apprentices with the skills to challenge extremist views.

Supporting Apprentices

Eden Training Solutions is dedicated to supporting our apprentices in all aspects of their apprenticeship journey. We provide support for apprentices through an effective referral process, support services, literature promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, guidance on accessing support, and clear channels of communication. Our aim is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all apprentices feel safe and can thrive.

Responsibilities

The management of Eden Training Solutions holds the primary responsibility for ensuring that the Prevent Strategy is implemented across the organisation. However, all staff have a role to play. They have a responsibility to uphold Eden Training Solutions’ mission, vision, and values, report concerns, participate in training, and understand emergency procedures. This collective responsibility ensures a whole-organisation approach to preventing extremism.

Training

Training is a key component of our Prevent strategy. Training on Prevent will be delivered as part of the safeguarding refresher training programme. All new members of Eden Training Solutions staff will receive face-to-face Prevent training, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to concerns. Apprentices will receive Prevent training as part of their apprenticeship programme, helping them understand the risks and know how to seek support.

  Use of Eden Training Solutions Premises

Eden Training Solutions is committed to ensuring that our premises are a safe and inclusive space for all. We work with the local community and a range of external organisations, and a risk assessment will be carried out prior to a letting being agreed. This ensures that our premises are not used to promote extremist views or support terrorist activity.

Digital Infrastructure

In the digital age, the internet can be a platform for the promotion of extremist views. Eden Training Solutions uses appropriate digital infrastructure as a filtering mechanism to ensure that apprentices, staff, and visitors are unable to access inappropriate materials. This is part of our commitment to providing a safe and secure learning environment.

Partnership Working

Preventing extremism is a shared responsibility and Eden Training Solutions is committed to working in partnership with other organisations. We maintain partnerships with local law enforcement and the Department for Education Prevent Coordinator and receive regular updates to keep our staff and apprentices safe and well informed. These partnerships enable us to respond effectively to emerging threats and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our apprentices.

Prevent Risk Assessment & Action Plan 2023/2024

Risk & Prevent Vulnerability	Actions to Mitigate Risk (to date & already in place)	New Actions & Future Developments	Action Lead	Progress Report (July 2024)	Current RAG Rating (July 2024)
Staff are not aware of the procedures in relation to highlighting concerns for learner welfare	Eden staff are trained as part of their induction and annually (or as deemed necessary due to changes in legislation trained accordingly)	Intervention by Designated Safeguarding Officer/IQA highlighted through KIT days and OTLAs to ensure Prevent is embedded in each contact point with the learner	Designated Safeguarding Officer and IQA team	Ongoing – no issues to date	GREEN
Prevent is not embedded during the learner contact process	Monthly updates on Safeguarding and review of process on KIT days and OTLAs	Audit of learner files to ensure this is undertaken on reviews and visits by the PMs	PMs	Ongoing – no issues to date	GREEN
Learners are radicalised by internal (workplace) or external factors	Embedded as part of the review and visits undertaken by the SCs.	Above points will highlight if this has not taken place and therefore create an intervention	SCs supported by DSO and IQA team	Ongoing – no issues to date	GREEN
Learners are exposed to messaging supportive of  terrorism which contradicts British Values	Learners are advised by SCs the whistleblowing process and how Eden can support. Learners are sign posted to our Designated Safeguarding Officer	Additional support given  to learners to build a greater understanding of what British Values represents and this is embedded in each contact with the learner	SCs supported by Designated  Safeguarding Officer and IQA team	Ongoing – no issues to date	GREEN
Eden is not linked with partners that can support with complex issues	Eden has a Prevent policy that incorporates the key links to external organisations that can support with all issues	N/A as these links are in place	Senior Management team	Incorporated into the Prevent policy	GREEN
Eden places learners within settings that may increase their exposure to radicalisation	Pre-vetting of all settings takes place as a matter of course through the Apprenticeships Matching Process	In the unlikely event of pre-vetting not taking place this would be picked up at learner sign up and monitored on an ongoing basis through SCs	Apprenticeship Matching Team	Incorporated into the Apprenticeship Matching Process and therefore monitored closely with no issues to date	GREEN
Learners are exposed to literature within Eden and the workplace that promotes extremism	Learners are made aware of the whistle blowing process and our Designated Safeguarding Officer  at sign up and ongoing through the interaction with the SCs.	To be reiterated at each contact point with the understanding of a ‘safe place’ to discuss concerns	SCs with support of IQA team	Ongoing – no issues to date	GREEN
Learner’s data is made available to external contacts that do not hold the values of Prevent	Eden complies with the requirements of GDPR and do not knowingly share data with external organisations without prior consent or legal duty	Any breaches would be reported to the appropriate body	All staff at Eden. Systems Director (GDPR Representative)	Ongoing – no issues to date	GREEN

Region	Risk & Prevent Vulnerability	New Actions & Future Developments	RAG Rating
Yorkshire & Humberside	A dramatic 18% decline in early years places in Calderdale, representing a loss of 1,178 places. Severe recruitment shortages for skilled childcare workers, exacerbated by economic pressures, threaten the sector’s sustainability.	Prioritise staff training and maintain rigorous safety standards through regular risk assessments. Review monthly Department of Education Prevent Newsletter and Safeguarding Leads Aug 24 – high alert of potential right-winged riots  July 24 – warning issued re potential dangers to young people online following sentence of 16 year old for possessing extreme right winged material & distributing content to others on social media	Amber Threat Level
North – West	Acute staffing shortages, with many early years workers leaving due to low wages. Economic pressures, including rising costs, further compound the challenges.	Prioritise health and safety for all staff. Review monthly Department of Education Prevent Newsletter and Safeguarding Leads Aug 24 – high alert of potential right-winged riots July 24 – far right riots in Southport following murder of three young girls	Red Threat Level
North – East	A 20.5% decline in early years places in Darlington, equating to a loss of 525 places. Severe recruitment challenges for skilled childcare workers persist.	Prioritise staff training and maintain rigorous safety standards through regular risk assessments. Review monthly Department of Education Prevent Newsletter and Safeguarding Leads Aug 24 – high alert of potential right-winged riots July 24 – warning issued re potential dangers to young people online following sentence of 16 year old for possessing extreme right winged material & distributing content to others on social media July 24 – man found guilty of preparing for an act of terrorism	Amber Threat Level
East Midlands	Economic pressures, including funding cuts and rising costs, are impacting early years settings. Recruitment and retention challenges are exacerbated by low wages.	Use available resources to support early years businesses with staff retention. Review monthly Department of Education Prevent Newsletter and Safeguarding Leads.  Aug 24 – high alert of potential right-winged riots June 24 – man jailed for encouraging terrorism May 24 – man returned to jailed for another count of helping teen join ISIS July 24 – warning issued re potential dangers to young people online following sentence of 16 year old for possessing extreme right winged material & distributing content to others on social media	Amber Threat Level
West Midlands	One of the regions hardest hit by recruitment shortages for skilled childcare workers. Economic pressures, including rising costs, further strain the sector.	Prioritise regular risk assessments and offer staff retention ideas and development opportunities. Review monthly Department of Education Prevent Newsletter and Safeguarding Leads Aug 24 – high alert of potential right-winged riots July 24 – warning issued re potential dangers to young people online following sentence of 16 year old for possessing extreme right winged material & distributing content to others on social media	Amber Threat Level
East of England	Significant recruitment challenges are depleting the early years workforce. Economic pressures, including funding cuts and rising costs, threaten the sector’s sustainability.	Prioritise health and safety for all staff. Review monthly Department of Education Prevent Newsletter and Safeguarding Leads Aug 24 – high alert of potential right-winged riots July 24 – warning issued re potential dangers to young people online following sentence of 16 year old for possessing extreme right winged material & distributing content to others on social media	Amber Threat Level
South – East	Economic pressures, including funding cuts and rising costs, are impacting early years settings. Recruitment and retention challenges are exacerbated by low wages.	Use available resources to support early years businesses with staff retention. Review monthly Department of Education Prevent Newsletter and Safeguarding Leads Aug 24 – high alert of potential right-winged  riots June – 19 year old sentenced possessing plans for carrying out an attack on a synagogue near Brighton April – 19 year old convicted of 11 terrorism offences  July 24 – warning issued re potential dangers to young people online following sentence of 16 year old for possessing extreme right winged material & distributing content to others on social media	Amber Threat Level
Region	Risk & Prevent Vulnerability	New Actions & Future Developments	RAG Rating
South – West	A significant decline in early years places, with six local authorities ranking among the top ten for losses. Severe recruitment challenges for skilled childcare workers persist.	Maintain rigorous safety standards through regular risk assessments. Review monthly Department of Education Prevent Newsletter and Safeguarding Leads Aug 24 – high alert of potential right-winged riots July 24 – warning issued re potential dangers to young people online following sentence of 16 year old for possessing extreme right winged material & distributing content to others on social media	Amber Threat Level
London	A surge in early years places, potentially leading to overcrowding and resource strain. Economic pressures, including rising costs, further compound the challenges.	Prioritise health and safety for all staff. Review monthly Department of Education Prevent Newsletter and Safeguarding Leads Aug 24 – high alert of potential right-winged riots July 24 –Whitehall, far right riot against knife crime following event in Southport July 24 – life sentence for Radical Preacher Anjem Choudary for directing a banned terrorist group July 24 – a man with two previous terror-related convictions jailed for posting extremist terrorist content online July 24 – warning issued re potential dangers to young people online following sentence of 16 year old for possessing extreme right winged material & distributing content to others on social media	Red Threat Level