Introduction:

Birkwood Plant Training is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff and volunteers and students to share this commitment.

This guidance supports the Birkwood Plant Training Safeguarding Policy. All Birkwood plant training staff and contractors must comply with the procedures set out in this document.

Birkwood plant training Safeguarding Policy and guidance applies to all of our students and in particular students who are children (under the age of 18) or vulnerable adults. The key objectives of the policy and guidance are to:

 

  • Promote a safe environment for all our students to learn and achieve.

 

  • Actively promote the welfare of students.

 

  • Identify any students who may be experiencing abuse or harm in Centre, at home or in relationships and take appropriate action to ensure their safety (Child and Adult Protection).

Guidance on specific safeguarding concerns:

 

  1. Prevent: Radicalisation and Extremism

 

If there are concerns that a student is becoming radicalised or attempting to radicalise others this needs to be reported to the management immediately.

 

Sally Ramskill (Children’s Workforce and Student Support Officer) is the designated member of staff responsible for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and dealing with safeguarding issues.

Darryl Loftus, Assessor/IQA is the Deputy Safeguarding Officer.

 

The Prevent Duty is part of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015.

Section 26 of the Act places a duty on educational institutions to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’.

Prevent is one strand of the Government’s counter terrorism Strategy, CONTEST. Its main aim is to prevent people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. More information available here: Protecting the UK against terrorism policy

 

There are three main objectives:

  1. Terrorist ideas should be identified and challenged.
  2. Vulnerable people should be supported and protected from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
  3. Communities, institutions, and the Government should all work together to tackle the problem of extremism.

Radicalisation is the process of causing someone to become a supporter of terrorism, or forms of extremism that lead to terrorism.

Any evidence of any aspect of extremism must be reported immediately. Please be vigilant for comments made on social media which may indicate vulnerability to radicalisation.

What causes radicalisation?

As yet, there has been no clear link or exact cause identified for someone becoming radicalised. This creates the sense that ‘it could happen to anyone’ which, in turn, increases the fear of radicalisation. The lack of an exact cause doesn’t mean we know nothing and it’s important to focus on what we do know and staying informed of current guidance. Radicalisation is constantly shifting and changing.

What we know as of now is that the main risk factor identified in victims is vulnerability.

Those who are most vulnerable are (but not limited to):

  • Younger people from age 13 upwards.
  • Those experiencing an identity or personal crisis.
  • Individuals with feelings of un-met aspirations or a sense of injustice.
  • People with a need for adventure or excitement.
  • Pre-existing conviction that their religion or culture is under threat;
  • Individuals who feel socially isolated, and possibly, suffering from depression;
  • Those who have a history of criminal behaviour.

Some potential indicators:

  • Change in appearance.
  • Search for answers – identity, faith and belonging.
  • Desire for adventure/excitement
  • Desire to enhance self esteem.
  • Sense of grievance triggered by personal experience of racism/discrimination/aspects of government policy etc
  • Isolated from peers, associates with only 1 group of people.
  • Withdrawal from family members
  • Additional vulnerability risk factors: Special Educational Needs, Mental Health Issues, Alcohol and Drug abuse

Some potential warning signs:

  • Graffiti, symbols or artwork promoting extremist messages
  • Accessing extremist material online
  • Changes in behaviour, friendship and actions
  • Young people voicing opinions drawn from extremist ideologies or narratives.
  • Use of extremist or hate terms to exclude others or incite violence.

 

People who are at risk of being drawn into terrorist activity can be supported through the Channel process, which involves several agencies working together to give individuals access to services such as health and education, specialist mentoring and diversionary activities.

 

Birkwood plant training policy regarding use of IT are included in the IT policy. Internet usage in center is monitored and any concerns raised through safeguarding procedures.

 

All staff have a duty to report any concerns about extremist behavior or potential radicalisation.

 

Last Reviewed: Aug 2025                Next Review Due: Aug 2026

Approved by: Darryl Loftus