Prevent Policy

Purpose Driven Youth
Policy Date: September 2025
Review Date: September 2026
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Michael Olarewaju, dsl@purposedrivenyouth.co.uk

1. Policy Statement

Purpose Driven Youth is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all young people, staff, and volunteers.
We recognise our duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.”

Our Prevent Policy forms part of our wider approach to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We see Prevent as a safeguarding issue — not a separate agenda — and we aim to identify and support anyone who may be vulnerable to radicalisation or extremist influences.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All staff, mentors, tutors, contractors, and volunteers.

  • All young people engaged in our mentoring, tutoring, or outreach programmes.

  • All activities, whether in person or online, organised by Purpose Driven Youth.

3. Aims and Objectives

Purpose Driven Youth aims to:

  • Safeguard individuals from being drawn into any form of extremism or radicalisation.

  • Promote positive British Values: democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

  • Ensure all staff and mentors can recognise and respond appropriately to concerns.

  • Work collaboratively with local authorities, safeguarding partners, and the police when necessary.

4. Understanding the Prevent Duty

The Prevent Duty is not about spying or policing opinions — it’s about safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
Radicalisation can occur through exposure to extremist ideas, online influences, peer pressure, or social isolation.
Vulnerability factors may include:

  • Low self-esteem or sense of identity

  • Experience of bullying or discrimination

  • Feelings of grievance or injustice

  • Exposure to extremist materials or groups online

  • Desire for belonging or recognition

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL is responsible for:

  • Implementing this policy and providing staff guidance.

  • Making Prevent referrals to the appropriate Channel or safeguarding teams.

  • Maintaining confidential records of concerns.

  • Ensuring staff and mentors receive up-to-date Prevent training.

All Staff, Mentors and Tutors

Every adult working with Purpose Driven Youth has a duty to:

  • Be alert to signs that a young person may be vulnerable to radicalisation.

  • Record and report any concerns immediately to the DSL.

  • Promote an inclusive environment that values respect, understanding, and diversity.

6. Recognising Signs of Concern

Possible indicators that a young person may be at risk include:

  • Expressing extremist views or sympathies.

  • Using or sharing extremist materials online.

  • Showing increasing isolation or rejection of others.

  • Expressing anger or hatred towards certain groups.

  • A noticeable change in behaviour, appearance, or friendship groups.

  • Secretive use of the internet or social media.

These signs do not automatically mean someone is being radicalised — they may indicate other safeguarding concerns.

7. Responding to Concerns

If a member of staff, mentor, or tutor has a Prevent concern:

  1. Do not investigate or confront.

  2. Record what has been seen or heard, using factual language.

  3. Report immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

  4. The DSL will assess the concern and, if appropriate, make a Prevent referral through the local authority’s Channel Panel or MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub).

All referrals will follow Purpose Driven Youth’s Safeguarding Procedures and local safeguarding partnership guidance.

8. Training and Awareness

  • All staff, mentors, and contractors will receive Prevent awareness training as part of their induction.

  • Annual refresher training will be provided to ensure ongoing understanding.

  • The DSL will maintain training records and ensure compliance.

9. Online Safety

Purpose Driven Youth recognises the internet’s significant role in radicalisation.
We will:

  • Promote safe, critical, and responsible use of online platforms.

  • Encourage young people to question information sources and report concerns.

  • Ensure mentors and tutors are aware of online safeguarding procedures.

10. Partnership Working

We will work in partnership with:

  • Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships (LSCPs)

  • Local Authority Prevent Coordinators

  • Police and Channel Panels

  • Schools and education providers

  • Parents and carers, where appropriate

This ensures a consistent and coordinated response to safeguarding and Prevent concerns.

11. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Information relating to Prevent concerns will be handled sensitively, and only shared:

  • With the consent of the individual (where appropriate), or

  • When there is a legal or safeguarding duty to share information for protection.

All records will be stored securely and in line with GDPR and Purpose Driven Youth’s Data Protection Policy.

12. British Values in Practice

Purpose Driven Youth promotes British Values throughout its programmes by:

  • Encouraging open, respectful discussions.

  • Providing inclusive learning environments.

  • Celebrating diversity and cultural awareness.

  • Supporting critical thinking and responsible citizenship.

13. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if there are updates to the Prevent Duty or safeguarding legislation.
All updates will be approved by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Senior Leadership Team.

Policy Approved By:

Signed: ______________
Name: Zoe Olarewaju
Position: Director, Purpose Driven Youth
Date: September 2025