What is the Prevent strategy?

The government strategy ‘Prevent’ is designed to help stop people supporting terrorist or extremist causes or becoming a terrorist themselves.

Prevent covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes.

How does the Prevent strategy apply to schools?

From July 2015 all schools have a duty to safeguard children from radicalisation and extremism.

This means we have a responsibility to protect children from extremist and violent views the same way we protect them from other dangers.

Stoke Park Primary provides a safe place for pupils to discuss these issues so they better understand how to protect themselves.

What does this mean in practice?

Many of the things we already do in school to help children become positive, happy part of the community also work towards the Prevent strategy.

These include:

• Exploring other cultures and religions and promoting diversity
• Challenging prejudices and racist comments
• Developing critical thinking skills and a strong, positive self-identity
• Promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, as well as British values such as democracy – these values are reflected in our school vision and school rules

We will also protect children from the risk of radicalisation, through safety measures such as using filters on the internet to stop access to extremist and terrorist materials, and checking visitors who come into school to work with pupils.

All of our staff have up to date prevent training, to understand the risk of radicalisation and extremism, the factors that make people vulnerable to being drawn in to terrorism, how to recognise this and how to report a concern.

Our prevent lead at the school is our DSL, Amy Higgitt

If you have concerns about someone you know being radicalised please read the information leaflet attached below.

The purpose of the website below is to provide practical advice, support and resources to protect children from extremism and radicalisation. Here you will find Q&A and resources to help you protect your child.

FGM is when a female's genitals are deliberately altered or removed for non-medical reasons. It's also known as 'female circumcision' or 'cutting', but has many other names.

FGM is a form of child abuse. It's dangerous and a criminal offence in the UK. We know:

• there are no medical reasons to carry out FGM
• it's often performed by someone with no medical training, using instruments such as knives, scalpels, scissors, glass or razor blades
• children are rarely given anaesthetic or antiseptic treatment and are often forcibly restrained
• it's used to control female sexuality and can cause long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health.

FGM can happen at different times in a girl or woman's life, including:

• when a baby is new-born
• during childhood or as a teenager
• just before marriage
• during pregnancy

Worried about FGM?

Call the FGM helpline if you're worried a child is at risk of, or has had, FGM.

It's free, anonymous and we're here 24/7.

0800 028 355

Domestic abuse can impact upon all areas of children and young people's lives including health, education, the development of relationships, recreation and social activities. The effects of domestic violence on children are wide ranging and will differ for each child or young person. Effects can include:

• feelings of fear, shame, anger
• underachieving (or overachieving) in school
• difficulties sleeping and nightmares
• distracted behaviour
• outbursts of temper and aggression
• regressive behaviour such as thumb sucking, bed wetting etc.
• reluctance to eat
• complaints of tummy pain or pain in other parts of their body
• low self esteem and confidence
• reluctance to engage in social activities
• self harm

There are a range of resources that can help you to address this issue with your children. The Hideout is a UK website with information, activities, a quiz and stories of children living with domestic abuse. You can also get advice from Women's Aid on how to talk and support your children.

Some things to say to your child:

• it's not your fault
• you can always tell me how you feel
• I will listen to you
• you have the right to feel safe
• there is nothing you could have done to prevent or change it
• I care about you, you are important to me, and
• we can think of ways to keep you safe in the future

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please contact Next Link on 0117 925 0680 or phone the police if in immediate danger.

Talk PANTS helps children understand that their body belongs to them, and they should tell someone they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.

Child Criminal Exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of sexual abuse of young people. It is not just something that affects teenage girls or specific groups and can happen in and out of school.  It involves an individual or group coercing, manipulating and deceiving a child into sexual activity. Children as young as 8 have been sexually exploited.

Signs that someone may be a victim of CCE or CSE:

• Frequently absent from and doing badly in school.
• Going missing from home, staying out late and travelling for unexplained reasons.
• In a relationship or hanging out with someone older than them.
• Being angry, aggressive or violent.
• Being isolated or withdrawn.
• Having unexplained money and buying new things.
• Wearing clothes or accessories in gang colours or getting tattoos.
• Using new slang words.
• Spending more time on social media and being secretive about time online.
• Making more calls or sending more texts, possibly on a new phone or phones.
• Self-harming and feeling emotionally unwell.
• Taking drugs and abusing alcohol.
• Committing petty crimes like shop lifting or vandalism.
• Unexplained injuries and refusing to seek medical help.
• Carrying weapons or having a dangerous breed of dog.

Please find below a video created by parents of victims of criminal exploitation.

We now live in a digital age with children spending an increasing amount of time online. It is important that children and their parents know how to stay safe online. 

The websites below are full of useful information about staying safe online and talking to your children about online safety. 

• https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/
• https://nationalonlinesafety.com/
• https://www.net-aware.org.uk/

What Parents Need To Know About…