Prevent Policy and Procedures - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL

Prevent Policy and Procedures
Version Number		IBS/PPAP/2026Apr/V001
Member of Staff Responsible		Ibrahim Sirkeci
Record of Revisions to Policy
Date	Details	Approved by
Apr 2026	Published	Board of Directors
Apr 2026	Reviewed	Board of Directors
July 2023	Reviewed	Board of Directors

Date of Current Policy		April 2026
Next Review Date		April 2028
Review to be approved by		Board of Directors

Related IBS Policies

Student Protection Plan
Safeguarding Policy
Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy
E‑Safety Policy
Data Protection Policy
Student Code of Conduct
Student Complaints Policy
Health and Safety Policy

External Reference Points

Counter‑Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)
Prevent Duty Guidance for Higher Education Institutions (England and Wales)
Office for Students (OfS) Regulatory Framework (student protection, wellbeing, governance and risk)
Education (No. 2) Act 1986 (Freedom of Speech)
Human Rights Act 1998

1. Policy Statement

International Business School (IBS) is committed to fulfilling its statutory duty under the Counter‑Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism, while simultaneously upholding academic freedom, freedom of speech within the law, and equality of opportunity.

IBS adopts a proportionate, risk‑based and safeguarding‑led approach to Prevent, recognising that prevention and early intervention are most effective when concerns are addressed sensitively and in partnership with students and staff. This policy supports IBS’s responsibilities under the Office for Students (OfS) regulatory framework, particularly in relation to student protection, wellbeing and institutional risk management.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

Set out how IBS meets its obligations under the Prevent Duty
Protect students and staff from being drawn into extremism or terrorism
Provide clear guidance on identifying, reporting and responding to concerns
Ensure Prevent is embedded within safeguarding and wellbeing arrangements
Balance Prevent responsibilities with academic freedom and free speech

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

All IBS students and applicants
All staff, associates, contractors and visitors
All IBS activities, premises and digital environments

The policy applies to teaching, learning, events, online activity and institutional communications.

4. Definitions

Prevent: The government strategy to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
Extremism: Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
Radicalisation: The process by which an individual comes to support terrorism or extremist ideologies.
Channel: A multi‑agency safeguarding process to support individuals vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.

5. Principles Underpinning the Prevent Duty at IBS

IBS’s approach to Prevent is underpinned by the following principles:

Safeguarding focus: Prevent is treated as part of IBS’s safeguarding responsibilities
Proportionality: Actions are risk‑based and proportionate to identified concerns
Equality and inclusion: Prevent is implemented in ways that respect diversity and avoid stigmatisation
Academic freedom: Teaching, research and debate are protected unless a specific risk is identified
Information governance: Information sharing is lawful, necessary and proportionate

6. Leadership and Governance

The IBS Board of Directors holds overall responsibility for compliance with the Prevent Duty
A Designated Prevent Lead (DPL) is responsible for operational oversight, advice and liaison with external partners
Prevent risks are reviewed through institutional risk management and safeguarding arrangements
This policy is monitored by the appropriate academic and governance committees

7. Risk Assessment and Action Planning

IBS maintains a Prevent risk assessment which:

Identifies potential risks relevant to learners, activities and environments
Is reviewed at least annually or when significant changes occur
Informs proportionate mitigating actions and staff awareness measures

8. Staff Awareness and Training

IBS will:

Ensure relevant staff receive appropriate Prevent awareness training
Support staff to recognise signs of vulnerability to radicalisation
Provide clear guidance on how to raise and record concerns appropriately

Training emphasises safeguarding, professional judgement and student wellbeing.

9. Students, Curriculum and Learning Environment

IBS promotes resilience to extremist narratives through:

Teaching that encourages critical thinking and respectful debate
Promotion of British values, equality and inclusion
Opportunities for student voice, engagement and belonging
Safe exploration of controversial topics within academic frameworks

10. External Speakers and Events

IBS supports lawful freedom of speech while ensuring:

Appropriate risk assessment for events involving external speakers
No platform is provided for proscribed organisations or material encouraging terrorism
Conditions are applied proportionately where risks are identified

Event management procedures operate alongside this policy.

11. IT Systems and Online Safety

IBS does not permit its IT systems or networks to be used to support or promote terrorism. Proportionate measures may include:

Monitoring and filtering consistent with legal obligations
Guidance on responsible use of social media
Action where misuse of IBS systems or branding is identified

This section operates in conjunction with the IBS E‑Safety Policy.

12. Reporting Concerns and Referral Process

Anyone with a concern that a student or staff member may be vulnerable to radicalisation should:

Report the concern to the Designated Prevent Lead or safeguarding contact
Record concerns factually and promptly
Maintain confidentiality where possible

Where appropriate, IBS may refer concerns to local safeguarding arrangements or the Channel process, in line with statutory guidance.

13. Information Sharing and Data Protection

Information sharing under this policy will:

Be necessary, proportionate and lawful
Respect individual rights and confidentiality
Comply with the IBS Data Protection Policy and UK GDPR

14. Monitoring and Review

IBS monitors the effectiveness of this policy through:

Review of Prevent‑related concerns and actions taken
Staff training completion and feedback
Annual policy review and risk assessment updates

15. Alternative Formats

This policy is available in alternative formats upon request. Requests should be directed to the Academic Standards and Quality Office.