Prevent Duty Service Review
Case Study: Reviewing and Enhancing Prevent Duty Delivery in a Two-Tier Local Authority
Background
I was commissioned by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) to conduct a comprehensive review of the delivery of the Prevent Duty across the county. The challenge involved coordinating efforts between county and district councils, the local police force, counter-terrorism policing, safeguarding agencies, education institutions, and other key partners. The aim was to ensure that the Prevent Duty was being implemented effectively and in line with statutory obligations, while also aligning with best practice from around the UK.
Assessing the Existing Situation
To begin, I undertook an in-depth assessment of how the Prevent Duty was being delivered across the county. This involved:
- Benchmarking current practices against statutory obligations outlined in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
- Reviewing the governance structures, including how Prevent activities were linked to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs), and the local authority elected leadership.
- Conducting interviews and workshops with key stakeholders from county and district councils, local police forces, counter-terrorism units, safeguarding boards, and the education sector to gain a detailed understanding of their roles and responsibilities in delivering Prevent.
I also conducted a review of current delivery planning, risk assessments, referral pathways, and the effectiveness of the Channel Panel, which plays a crucial role in managing vulnerable individuals at risk of radicalisation.
Key Findings
The review identified several areas where the delivery of Prevent was either inconsistent or lacked strategic coherence:
- Inconsistent training: Some councils and agencies had limited access to Prevent training, resulting in gaps in knowledge and awareness.
- Fragmented governance: There was a lack of coordination between local authorities, police, and safeguarding agencies, leading to delays in identifying and responding to threats.
- Weak referral pathways: The pathways for reporting individuals at risk of radicalisation were not always clear, with some frontline workers unsure of how to escalate concerns.
- Limited communications strategy: Efforts to engage and educate the wider community, including schools and local businesses, about Prevent were limited.
- Space for extremism: In some areas, there were vulnerabilities that allowed extremist views to spread, both online and offline, which were not being systematically closed down.
Developing a New System for Delivering the Prevent Duty
Based on these findings, I developed a new system to deliver the Prevent Duty more effectively across the county, with a focus on improving governance, coordination, and accountability. Key recommendations included:
1. Strengthening Governance:
I recommended that the governance structure be redefined to provide clear lines of accountability between the PCC, CSPs, district and county councils, and other key agencies. A county-wide Prevent Board was established, chaired by a senior leader and including representatives from counter-terrorism policing, safeguarding, education, and the local authority leadership. This board would oversee delivery and ensure that Prevent was embedded in the broader community safety agenda.
2. Enhanced Training and Capacity Building:
A comprehensive training program was rolled out to all partners, including police, education, social services, and district councils. This ensured that staff were fully aware of their statutory responsibilities under Prevent, understood the signs of radicalisation, and knew how to escalate concerns. The training program also included sector-specific modules to ensure relevance.
3. Streamlining Referral Pathways and the Channel Panel:
I worked with partners to create clear and streamlined referral pathways, ensuring that individuals at risk of radicalisation could be referred quickly and effectively to the Channel Panel. The Channel Panel itself was overhauled, with new procedures for case management, ensuring that all cases were reviewed regularly and that interventions were proportionate and effective.
4. Risk Assessments and Delivery Planning:
A robust risk assessment framework was introduced to help local authorities and partners identify vulnerabilities in their areas, from individuals at risk of radicalisation to locations where extremist ideologies might take root. This framework was incorporated into the strategic delivery plans of each district and was reviewed regularly to adapt to emerging threats.
5. Closing Down Space for Extremism:
I developed a strategy for proactively identifying and closing down spaces—both physical and digital—where extremism could flourish. This included tighter monitoring of online platforms, increased community engagement, and working with local leaders to create positive narratives that counter extremist ideologies.
6. Improved Communication and Community Engagement:
A targeted communications strategy was designed to raise awareness about the Prevent Duty and its importance in safeguarding vulnerable individuals. This included outreach to schools, community groups, and local businesses, as well as a public campaign to dispel myths and misconceptions about Prevent.
Implementation and Outcomes:
The set of recommendations I developed were fully accepted and implemented by the OPCC and all relevant partners. As a result, the county saw significant improvements in its ability to deliver the Prevent Duty:
- Training uptake increased, with frontline staff across all agencies feeling more confident in identifying and managing cases of potential radicalisation.
- The governance structure was transformed, with the Prevent Board becoming a driving force in coordinating efforts across the county, ensuring clear communication between local authorities, police, and safeguarding agencies.
- The new referral pathways and Channel Panel procedures resulted in faster, more effective interventions, with a significant reduction in the time taken to refer and manage cases.
- The risk assessment framework helped identify vulnerable localities and individuals more effectively, allowing for earlier interventions and a proactive approach to preventing radicalisation.
- The county’s work in closing down spaces for extremism and engaging the community was highlighted as particularly innovative, contributing to a safer and more resilient community.
Following the successful implementation of these changes, the work of the OPCC and its partners was recognised as a national example of good practice in delivering the Prevent Duty in a two-tier local authority area. The new system not only improved operational effectiveness but also built greater trust and understanding between agencies, ensuring a more coordinated and sustainable approach to preventing extremism.