Oxford Brookes University Nursery has regard for the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and recognises its duty to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.
We understand that our responsibilities are as follows:
- Providing staff with sufficient training to be able to recognise vulnerability (Radicalisation) and be aware of what action to take
- Understanding when to make referrals to MASH and where to get additional advice and support
- Keeping children safe and promoting their welfare
- Being alert to any safeguarding and child protection issues in the child’s life at home or elsewhere
- Taking action to protect children from harm and being alert to harmful behaviour by other adults in the child’s life
- Focusing on children’s personal, social and emotional development
- Ensuring children learn right from wrong, mix and share with other children and value other’s views, know about similarities and differences between themselves and others and challenge negative attitudes and stereotypes (in an age appropriate way)
We will achieve this by:
- Listening to children
- Sharing appropriate information with parents
- Listening to parents
- Reporting concerns
- Challenging negative behaviour
- Focusing on what children need
- Supporting children’s personal, social and emotional development by helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups’ and to have confidence in their own abilities
We also recognise our duty to actively promote the following fundamental British Values and not promote views or theories as facts which are contrary to established scientific or historical evidence and explanations:
- Democracy
- The Rule of Law
- Individual Liberty
- Mutual Respect and Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs and those with no faith
We will achieve this by:
- Encouraging children to know their views count, value each other’s views and talk about their feelings
- Demonstrating democracy in action e.g. allowing children to vote on the theme of the role play area
- Providing activities that involve turn-taking, sharing and collaboration
- Ensuring children learn right from wrong and the possible consequences of their behaviour
- Collaborating with children on creating rules and codes of behaviour
- Helping children develop a positive sense of themselves, self-esteem and increased confidence in their abilities
- Providing opportunities for children to explore the language of feelings and responsibilities
- Creating an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance
- Helping children to understand the similarities and differences between themselves and others
- Challenging negative attitudes and stereotypes
Potential signs to look out for of a child being radicalised include:
- Long periods of unexplained absence.
- Acting out of character e.g. verbally or physically aggressive, withdrawing from relationships with peers or adults in the setting that had previously been close.
- Aggressive and/or violent small world or role play games, such as acting out cutting another child’s throat.
- Changes in the way a parent/carer related to the child and in the way the child related to them e.g. parent being very controlling, negative, child nervous and withdrawn.
- Using negative derogatory names for children linked to their skin colour or racial group.
- Drawings or mark making showing extremist symbols.
- Using inappropriate language and opinions linked to extremist views
If a member of staff has any concerns about a child’s behaviour, they should report it immediately to one of the Nursery’s DSLs. A decision will then be made on whether to make a referral or seek further advice. This can be through the Local Police Prevent Team (for a named or no names consultation) or MASH.
PC Tony Kirby - Prevent Officer:
- Anthony.kirby@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
- 07989497936
- MASH - 0845 050 7666
More information can be found in our Prevent Folder which includes ways to manage the risk of radicalisation, our action plan and Prevent referral form.
The current national and local risks are those from Islamist Terrorism and Extreme Right-Wing Activity.
The Prevent Duty and Promoting British Values are an extension of our policy on Safeguarding Children and our duty to keep children safe and promote their welfare.
This policy was reviewed in May 2024.