The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and your website

Counter Terrorism & Security Act

The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty of care on schools to prevent people being drawn into terrorism as part of their safeguarding duties.  This statutory duty came into effect on today and places responsibilities with schools to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

 

What are a school’s duties in relation to the act?

In summary the act outlines that schools leaders (including governors) must:

Other duties on schools include:

For more information on your schools duties in relation to the act please download the documents below:

The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015

Prevent Duty Guidance

Keeping Children Safe in Education 

Prevent Strategy

Channel Duty Guidance

It is advisable to ensure your Governing Body has read the Prevent Duty Guidance and the Keeping Children Safe in Education document.  It is also useful for them to focus on these specific sections on the act:

The Counter Terrorism and Security Act Section 26

The Counter Terrorism and Security Act Section 29

The Counter Terrorism and Security Act Section 36

 

What is extremism and radicalisation?

Extremism as defined in the Prevent strategy is:

‘vocal or active opposition to fundamental British Values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.  We also include in our definition extremism calls for the death of members of  our armed forces.’

Radicalisation is the process by which a press comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism that lead to terrorism.

 

Showing your commitment via your website

Being transparent in how you fulfill the requirements of the act on your website is vital. In our previous blog we touched on ways in which you can show your commitment to your Prevent duties via your website. Here are some more ideas you might like to think about:

Check your website against out free audit to help you see if you have everything you need.