Prevent/Channel Referral Process
The 'Prevent Duty’ established under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 requires responsible authorities to 'have due regard to the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism in the exercise of their duties'. This includes those working with children and young people as well as those working with adults.
This duty includes ensuring that those working with children, young people and adults:
- are trained to understand the risk of terrorism in the local area.
- able to identify when an individual is at risk of radicalisation
- know what to do once that risk is identified by making a referral through the Prevent/ Channel process.
Prevent Referral Portal
Making a referral
If there is a reason to believe that a child, young person or an adult associates with those known to be involved in extremism either because they associate directly with known individuals or because they frequent key locations, including online material, where these individuals are known to operate, there is a need to refer to the Prevent Referral Portal.
By completing the online form, you consent for the referral to arrive with both your dedicated Local Authority safeguarding team & Prevent policing team for a joint assessment. Wherever possible we aim to give you feedback on your referral, please be aware, however, that this is not always possible due to data-protection and other case sensitivities.
Who can be referred
The online Prevent Referral Portal is appropriate for anyone who is vulnerable to radicalisation or being drawn into any form of extremism. Prevent/ Channel aims to safeguard children and adults of any faith, ethnicity or background before their vulnerabilities are exploited by those that would want to cause them or others harm.
There is no single way of identifying who is likely to be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. Factors that may have a bearing on someone becoming vulnerable may include: peer pressure, influence from other people or via the internet, bullying, crime against them or their involvement in crime, anti social behaviour, family tensions, race/hate crime, lack of self esteem or identity and personal or political grievances.
Referrals made to the portal should contain concerns based on a person's vulnerability to radicalisation and should not be because of the person's faith or ethnic origin. Ideally, the person considering making the referral will be the designated safeguarding officer for their organisation and have a good understanding of Safeguarding and Prevent/ Channel.
When to complete an adult referral form
The Adult referral form needs to be completed when the individual at risk to radicalisation is aged 18 and above at the point of referral, regardless of whether they are still in full-time education or not.
When to complete a children’s referral form
If the young person is under the age of 18 at the point of referral a Children’s referral form needs to be completed.
When to complete both an adult and children’s referral form
If the referral involves a family/group situation and older siblings/family members or contacts need to be referred at the same time as a young person.
You do not need an adult’s or parental consent to complete a referral.
The information you provide will be assessed by the Local Authority and the Prevent Policing Team. If there is no Prevent concern but other safeguarding issues are present, this information will be sent to the relevant team or agency to provide the correct support for the individual(s) concerned.
If there is a Prevent concern, the Police will complete necessary security checks. Once completed the Police may refer the case for consideration at the multi-agency Cheshire East Channel Panel.
The Cheshire East Channel Panel
The role of the Cheshire East Channel panel is to develop an appropriate support package to safeguard those at risk of being drawn into extremism based on an assessment of their vulnerability. The panel is made up of a number of professionals with safeguarding experience from a variety of organisations and services including children and adults safeguarding, education, health, and Cheshire Police.
If you are worried about someone being radicalised you can find more information and help on the Home Office website.