Be Astute Prevent Policy

Approved by: Managing Director

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Prevent Lead: Julia Stock

Deputy DSL(s): Sues Duncan

Date of Policy: 5/9/25

Review Date: 4 September 2026

1. Policy Statement

Be Astute is committed to protecting apprentices and learners from radicalisation and extremism and to fulfilling its obligations under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (the Prevent Duty). As a delivery partner of Swatpro, Be Astute aligns fully with Swatpro’s Prevent Policy and associated Prevent Procedures Guide. We share Swatpro’s commitment to ensuring that all staff, learners, and partners understand Prevent risks, know how to recognise indicators of concern, and are confident in escalating them appropriately. Be Astute’s approach to Prevent is both proportionate and contextualised, reflecting the specific learning environment of the Domestic Abuse Support Worker Apprenticeship. Our learners are experienced adults working in safeguarding-related roles, and our Prevent strategy is integrated into curriculum design, encouraging critical reflection on ideologies, power, coercion, and extremism within domestic abuse contexts. Be Astute works closely with Swatpro’s Prevent Lead, local Channel teams, Prevent coordinators, the police, and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to safeguard all learners and staff. This policy should be read alongside the Be Astute Prevent Duty Risk Assessment & Action Plan, which identifies key risks and outlines the practical measures we take to embed Prevent across our provision.

2. Prevent Duty Statement

Be Astute recognises its statutory responsibility to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. We are committed to promoting a culture that values democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. All Be Astute staff and learners are expected to uphold and model these British Values in their work and learning. We integrate Prevent not as a separate initiative, but as a core strand of safeguarding and ethical practice. Prevent awareness and critical thinking are built into every apprenticeship workbook and module. Learners are encouraged to engage with Prevent themes through case studies, reflective assignments, and practical discussions relevant to domestic abuse work. This includes exploring topics such as misogyny, incel ideologies, conspiracy theories, and the misuse of power, helping learners to identify and challenge radical or extremist beliefs in professional settings. Through this embedded approach, Prevent becomes a sustained part of learning — equipping apprentices with the skills to recognise, question, and report potential risks.

3. Accountability and Responsibility

The Managing Director has overall responsibility for Prevent compliance and for ensuring that this policy is effectively implemented. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who also acts as the Prevent Lead, oversees Prevent risk management, training, curriculum embedding, and incident reporting. The DSL works closely with Swatpro’s Prevent Lead to ensure that all concerns are appropriately referred and that practice remains consistent with Swatpro’s procedures. All Be Astute staff are responsible for promoting Prevent within their delivery, remaining alert to changes in learner behaviour or expression, and reporting any concerns immediately to the DSL. Prevent and safeguarding are standing items at all Be Astute team, leadership, and quality meetings, ensuring that the topic remains active and visible across the organisation.

4. Training

All Be Astute staff complete Prevent and Channel awareness training on induction and refresh this annually, consistent with Swatpro’s requirements. Training is contextualised to reflect risks specific to the domestic abuse and social support sectors. This includes recognising radicalisation through misogynistic or extremist ideologies, online grooming linked to conspiracy networks, and manipulation of vulnerable survivors or colleagues. The DSL and Deputy DSLs complete accredited Prevent and Channel training every two years. All trainers, assessors, and support staff participate in additional professional learning sessions focused on DA-specific Prevent risks and multi-agency referral processes. Prevent and safeguarding training records are maintained on Be Astute’s Single Central Record (SCR) and verified through Swatpro’s annual due diligence review. The DSL participates in Swatpro’s Safeguarding and Prevent Network, contributing to joint reviews and sharing emerging sector insights.

5. Reporting and Communication

All Prevent concerns are reported to Be Astute’s DSL without delay. The DSL will assess each concern, determine the level of risk, and liaise with Swatpro’s Prevent Lead to agree next steps. Concerns may be referred to external agencies, including the Channel Panel, where appropriate. The DSL maintains confidential records of all Prevent-related activity, including actions taken and outcomes, using the designated safeguarding system. Staff and learners are reminded regularly of Prevent escalation routes during induction, through learner handbooks, and during progress reviews.

6. Risk Assessment and Curriculum Integration

Be Astute’s Prevent Duty Risk Assessment & Action Plan identifies the specific risks and mitigations associated with our provision. The risk assessment is reviewed annually and whenever new risks or contexts emerge. Prevent awareness is fully embedded in the apprenticeship curriculum. This includes integration of Prevent themes and case studies into induction and each workbook, scenario-based reflective learning and “Prevent awareness moments” in sessions, regular knowledge checks in learner reviews to test understanding and application, and the use of DA-related examples to explore coercion,

extremism, and ideological grooming. This approach ensures Prevent is practical, relevant, and continuous — developing the professional judgement and resilience of learners working in sensitive safeguarding roles.

7. Monitoring and Review

Be Astute reports Prevent-related activity, including referrals and training data, to Swatpro’s Prevent Lead as required. A joint safeguarding and Prevent group, involving Be Astute’s DSL and Swatpro representatives, meets at least every six months to review Prevent practice, share intelligence, and agree improvement actions. This policy and all related processes are reviewed annually, in line with both the Be Astute Prevent Duty Risk Assessment & Action Plan and Swatpro’s Prevent Policy. The review is led by the DSL and signed off by the Managing Director.

Approved by: Julia Stock

Managing Director, Be Astute

Date: 5/9/25