Safeguarding and Prevent at The TEFL Org

STATEMENT  The TEFL Org understands its responsibilities under the Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015 to prevent people of all ages being radicalised or drawn into terrorism and seeks to meet its obligations in the ways shown below, after setting the context.

(Currently classroom courses are not running due to Covid 19. Policy for online one to one courses and Virtual classroom courses)

CONTEXT  The TEFL Org accepts students aged 16 upwards for short two and three day classroom courses throughout the year and online training.

• Train students online throughout the world.
• International learners and trainers working remotely around the world..
• The office is based in Inverness, Scotland but students do not attend the office.
• Courses are run in venues throughout the UK and occasionally internationally. Courses last no longer then two days with a maximum of 20 in the classroom

STRONG LEADERSHIP

• Responsibility for ensuring Prevent Duty is met by The TEFL Org Customer Service or company director if no one in that role. Current designated lead is Philip Persoglio who is the Customer Service Manager and can be contacted on philip@tefl.org
• Responsibility for the Prevent risk assessment/action plan and policy lies with the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Their duties are to ensure delivery of an effective risk assessment/action plan and policy as outlined here.

WORKING WITH LOCAL PARTNERS

• Follow Scottish government guidelines in regards to helping stop radicalisation
• Make contact with local authority to ascertain other useful local agencies.
• Follow best practice for short course interaction with students.
• Share information with all local organisations as appropriate.

UNDERSTANDING THE TERMINOLOGY

• Radicalisation: act or process of making a person more radical or favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind.
• Extremism *: holding extreme political or religious views which may deny right to any group or individual. Can be expressed in vocal or active opposition to Core British values: including (i) democracy, (ii) the rule of law, (iii) individual liberty  (iv) respectful tolerance of different faiths or beliefs.

​ * NB: extremism can refer to a range of views, e.g. racism, homophobia, right-wing ideology, as well as any religious extremism.

UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS OF EXTREMISM

• Staff and  students may arrive on a course already holding extremist views.
• Or, whilst on a course, they may be influenced by a range of factors: global events, peer pressure, media, family views, extremist materials via hardcopy or online, inspirational speakers, friends or relatives being harmed, social networks.
• People who are vulnerable are more likely to be influenced.
• Their vulnerability could stem from a range of causes: loss of identity or sense of belonging, isolation, exclusion, mental health problems, sense of injustice, personal crisis, victim of hate crime or discrimination, bereavement

WAYS TO COUNTERACT RISKS

• Promote a safe and supportive international environment via clear expectations of accepted behaviours and those, including radicalisation and extremism, that will not be tolerated.
• Promote core British values where appropriate
• Where possible, develop critical awareness and thought to counter accepting extremism without question, especially of online material.
• Challenge radical or extremist views in any context (formal or informal) via stated procedures. In most situations this would require an immediate response, referring to international aspect of teaching English as a Foreign Langauge, and tolerance expected  then reporting concerns
• Be ready to react when world or local events (e.g. Paris attacks) cause upset and the likelihood of conflicting feelings being expressed. Course tutors can if necessary contact policy lead to take initiative in these situations.
• Have strong filters on IT equipment and clear rules on accessing extremist/ terrorist websites/use of social networks to exchange extremist/terrorist views.
• Staff and course tutors to be observant and vigilant in noticing any signs of radical or extremist behaviour.
• Course tutors and office staff to work hard supporting any students identified as vulnerable.

TRAINING  Documents and face to face training ensure staff understand this policy, i.e.

1. understand context and expectations of Prevent
2. their duty to implement the policy
3. understand terminology and risks associated with radicalisation and extremism
4. how to identify and support vulnerable students
5. ways the organisation will counteract the risks
6. signs to notice that may cause concern
7. know the lead Prevent person and procedures for communicating concerns
8. know the importance of their own behaviour and professionalism in (a) being exemplars of British values and (b) not discussing inflammatory subjects with students ( Code of Conduct)
9. All staff from office to tutors (online and classroom) have completed Radicalisation training.

• Students  must be made aware of key parts of the policy:

1. ​understanding terminology
2. importance of maintaining a supportive and tolerant society within courses
3. that they must report any concerns/incidents, and procedure for that.

SIGNS THAT  MAY CAUSE CONCERN

• Students talking about exposure to extremist materials or views outside school
• Changes in behaviour, e.g. becoming isolated
• Fall in standard of work, poor attendance, disengagement
• Changes in attitude, e.g. intolerant of differences /having closed mind
• Asking questions about certain topics (e.g. connected to extremism)
• Offering opinions that appear to have come from extremist ideologies
• Attempts to impose own views/beliefs on others
• Use of extremist vocabulary to exclude others or incite violence
• Accessing extremist material online or via social network sites
• Overt new religious practices
• Drawings or posters (e.g. in accommodation) showing extremist ideology/views/ symbols
• Students voicing concerns about anyone

NB: Any concerns relating to a person under 18 are safeguarding issues and should be dealt with by safeguarding staff (if different from Prevent staff) and, where necessary, the LSCB contacted. This is the same team led by Philip Persoglio.

HOW AND WHEN TO REACT TO CONCERNS

• Everyone given name of who to contact - Philip Persoglio - how to contact them by email Philip@tefl.org
• Confidentiality assured for the person reporting a concern.
• Everyone told to report any concern or incident, however small.
• Reassurance that all will be dealt with sensitively and carefully.

PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW

• Follow company’s Safeguarding procedure, address issues first in accordance with Safeguarding/Prevent policy. Including raising any concerns with Safeguarding/Prevent lead.
• If need further guidance then tutor can contact local police in course area on 101 to ask for advice
• The police will discuss your concerns, suggest how they can best help the child and give you access to relevant support and advice.
• If you think someone is in immediate danger, or if you see or hear something that may be terrorist-related, trust your instincts and call 999 or the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

POLICY PREPARATION AND REVIEW Policy prepared by Jennifer MacKenzie on 3/01/2020

Policy reviewed and updated 23/09/20 Policy will be reviewed after 12 months or earlier if there are changes in relevant legislation or in response to any significant incidents or changes in circumstances.