The Prevent Duty - Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
As part of the Government’s strategy to reduce terrorism in the UK, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 introduced a range of measures with the aim of countering the threat of radicalisation and the risk of people being drawn into terrorism. Public bodies, including higher education institutions (HEIs), are subject to the statutory Prevent Duty. This means that we, along with other universities, are required by law to demonstrate that we have arrangements in place and pay due regard to the need to safeguard people in our community from being drawn into terrorism.
To that end, we are committed to ensuring a balance between the obligations of the Prevent Duty and our wider obligations to Freedom of Speech, Academic Freedom and Equality. We will address the requirements of the duty responsibly and proportionately as part of our extensive wellbeing and safeguarding provision.
What to do if you have concerns about a student
We have a well-established student support referral pathway which describes how any wellbeing matter is supported through Wellbeing and Student Support. The University has very well integrated pastoral and support services which encompass not only Wellbeing and Student Support, but the Residential Community Team, the Senior Tutor and Personal Tutor Network, the Community Safety team, the Chaplaincy and Human Resources amongst others. We have strong mechanisms in place to support any member of the University community who is undergoing difficulty, and effective routes for referral and support on any issue of concern, not just in relation to the Prevent Duty.
The University also has well-defined processes for research ethics and governance in relation to sensitive research, well-understood policies for the appropriate use of IT equipment and infrastructure, an external speaker policy that integrates with the Students' Union, and the University has, over the years, already carried out appropriate training for key support services staff on the Prevent agenda in support of safeguarding and wellbeing.
What to do if you have concerns about a member of staff
If you have any concerns regarding a member of staff, you should contact your line manager, who will contact the Prevent team if necessary.
How is the oversight of the Prevent duty governed at Warwick?
The Vice-Chancellor and President is the University's Accountable Officer, and the Director of Wellbeing and Safeguarding is the University's Single Point of Contacts (SPoC). Oversight of Prevent rests with the University's Audit and Risk Committee, which reports to the University Council. Any concerns about an individual are escalated to the Director of Wellbeing and Safeguarding, with the potential for onward reporting lines through Directors posts to the Registrar and University Executive Board (UEB) as necessary.
Any member of the University community who has a non-urgent concern about individual issues relating to any matter concerning safeguarding or wellbeing in our community is encouraged to contact Wellbeing and Student Support via wellbeing@warwick.ac.uk.
For all emergency wellbeing concerns, please contact the Security Gatehouse on 024 7652 2222 or internal extension 22222.