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PREVENT

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What happens when a person is referred to Prevent?

What happens when a person is referred to Prevent?

Anyone who is being radicalised can be referred to Prevent. Referring someone ensures they get the help they need to keep them and others safe.

Getting support from Prevent is not a punishment and won’t go on a person’s criminal record. Referrals are not made to the Home Office.

Usually, a Prevent referral will follow this process.

  1. The local police force looks at each referral first. They check if there is an immediate security threat. They will also check if there is a genuine risk of radicalisation.
  2. If the person isn’t at risk of radicalisation, they are not a case for Prevent. Where appropriate, the person may instead be offered other support, for example being referred to mental health services or social services.
  3. If there is a risk of radicalisation, a panel of local experts assesses the referral. The panel is led by the local authority and may include the police, children’s services, social services, education professionals and mental health care professionals.
  4. If the panel decides that a person is at risk, they’ll be invited to join a support programme called Channel. This is voluntary, so a person can choose whether to take part. If a person chooses not to take part in the programme, they may be offered other support instead and any risk will be managed by the police.

The support provided by the Channel programme may include:

  • mentoring
  • mental health support such as counselling
  • education or career development support
  • online safety training for parents