PREVENT Duty Explained for School Staff: What You Must Know in 2026
The Prevent duty requires all schools to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism." But most school staff still don't know what that means in practice. This plain-English guide covers the legal requirement, the referral process, the most common misconceptions, and exactly what to do if you have a concern.
Photo: The Safeguard Hub — PREVENT duty and safeguarding
⚠ PREVENT is a safeguarding issue, not a security issue. The same principles apply as for any other welfare concern: notice, record, refer to your DSL.
What the Law Actually Requires
The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a statutory duty on all schools to "have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism." Updated Prevent Guidance (2023) clarified that schools must: train all staff in Prevent awareness; have a named Prevent Lead (usually the DSL); have a referral pathway to the local Channel programme; and deliver age-appropriate PSHE content on extremism.
In 2022–23, schools and colleges made 1,758 Prevent referrals — the second highest sector after the police.[1] This reflects both increased awareness and the genuine scale of radicalisation risk in educational settings.
Warning Signs of Radicalisation
Radicalisation is not limited to any single ideology. In 2022–23, referrals were split between Islamist extremism (22%), far-right extremism (19%), mixed and unclear (39%), and other forms (20%).[2] Warning signs to look for include:
Ideological indicators
- Expressing that violence is justified for a political, religious, or ideological cause
- Consuming or sharing content from extremist groups or propaganda channels
- Using "us vs them" language that dehumanises a group
- Sudden or radical change in beliefs — especially combined with social withdrawal
Vulnerability indicators
- Social isolation or rejection — making the pupil receptive to a group offering belonging
- Family breakdown or bereavement linked to a traumatic event involving a political cause
- Identity confusion — particularly for young people navigating faith, culture, or belonging
- Being bullied or discriminated against based on religion, ethnicity, or political identity
The 3 Common Misconceptions
- "PREVENT is about Muslims." FALSE. PREVENT covers all forms of extremism — far-right, far-left, incel-linked, single-issue, and Islamist. The majority of referrals in 2022–23 were not linked to Islamist ideology.
- "A referral means the police will be involved." Not automatically. Channel is a voluntary, multi-agency support programme. Most referrals result in a support plan — not a police investigation. The focus is on early intervention.
- "I need to be certain before I refer." FALSE. The threshold for a Prevent referral is "reasonable concern" — not certainty or proof. The DSL and Channel panel assess the risk; your job is to notice and report.
What to Do If You Have a Concern
Exactly the same as any other safeguarding concern: do not investigate yourself; record your observations (what you saw or heard, using the child's exact words); refer to your DSL the same day. The DSL will assess and decide whether a Channel referral is appropriate. You can also contact your local Prevent coordinator directly if you are concerned the DSL is not acting on a referral appropriately.
Citations
[1] Home Office (2023). Individuals Referred to and Supported Through the Prevent Programme: 2022 to 2023. Home Office.
[2] Home Office (2023). Prevent Statistical Bulletin: 2022 to 2023. Home Office.
[3] HM Government (2023). Revised Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales. Home Office.
[4] DfE (2025). Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025. DfE.