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DCSF HSCB

Learning Together to be Safe: a Toolkit to Help Schools Contribute to the Prevention of Violent Extremism

What is it?

A toolkit produced by DCSF to raise awareness of the threat from violent extremist groups and the risks for young people. The toolkit can be access on the DCSF website at:

• www.dcsf.gov.uk/publications/violentextremism/toolkitforschools/

DCSF press release

• www.dcsf.gov.uk/

The Home office has also produced 'Safeguarding Online - Explaining the Risk Posed by Violent Extremism'. The purpose of this document is to raise awareness of these issues and provide practical guidance to those with responsibility for vulnerable individuals to protect them from the threats posed by violent extremism on the internet.

• http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk

Aims of the toolkit

• Raise awareness of the threats from violent extremist groups and the risks this represents for young people
• Provide information about actions taking place locally and nationally to prevent violent extremism and indicate where to go for additional information and advice
• Help schools understand the positive contribution they can make to creating communities that are more resilient to extremism & protect the well-being of particular pupils or groups who may be vulnerable to being drawn into violent extremist activity.
• Provide advice on managing risks and responding to incidents locally, nationally or internationally that might have an impact on the school community

What does it contain?

• Core information sections that can be used in staff training sessions
• Tools to help review and build on the existing whole school strategies
• Case studies to help schools analyse their practice
• Advice on the development of partnership working locally for the prevention of extremism
• Links to further sources of information or support
• On-line resource with core sections also available in hard copy

Who is the toolkit for?

• All schools across England.  A version is also available for FE colleges.

Intended for guidance and does not impose any new requirements on schools

Sections within the toolkit:

Understanding the issues

• Understanding the extremist threat nationally & locally
• Understanding the causes of violent extremism
• Government responses to preventing violent extremism

Leadership and Values

Understanding how specific leadership roles and a values-based approach can contribute to preventing violent extremism.  Guidance includes: upholding a clear ethos, promoting core values of a democratic society, building staff understanding of their roles and confidence in their skills, engaging the school community. This guidance is supported with examples of school actions.

Teaching, Learning and the curriculum

Using and adapting the National Curriculum,14-19 curriculum, SEAL, cross-curricular dimensions, PLTS, QCA audit tool ‘Respect for All’  to help prevent violent extremism 

Pupil Support and Challenge

Using general and subject specific support in addressing controversial issues, i.e. teachernet advice, engaging with external programmes to support pupils 

Managing risk and responding to events

Considering events which could have an impact on the school community and managing potential risks to pupils and the wider school community.

School Action points within the guidance are particularly useful for developing whole school approaches

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