A new guidance for nurseries from Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has been issued to help protect children from the risk of radicalisation and extremism.
There has been recent information shared that the risks of young children being targeted by radical groups is on the rise, therefore it is important to keep children safe from harm. Schools are already playing a role in protecting children and safeguarding them but now the advice has been raised to help childcare providers to provide the necessary steps to keep young children safe.
The guidance will help schools and childcare providers to help understand their role under the new prevent duty, this duty will reinforce providers safeguarding duties. It explains that it is settings responsibility to ensure that measures are put into place to protect children.
Ofsted have revised the Common inspection Framework which comes into effect on the 1st September, it makes reference to providers implementing safeguarding arrangements to address pupil’s welfare and prevent radicalism and extremism.
The guidance talks about the importance of staff noticing changes in children’s behaviour and identifying whether this may indicate help or protection. It recommends promoting fundamental British values to help build children’s resilience to radicalisation.
For best practice it is advised that the designated safeguarding lead undertakes Prevent awareness training, this will help provide relevant advice and support for other members of staff.
The advice can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protecting-children-from-radicalisation-the-prevent-duty