This bulletin reflects the ongoing work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates. Previous issues are available to read below.
Project Orpheus and Prevent Update - April 2022
This email is for Project Orpheus Observer Partners, head teachers, senior leaders, DSLs, curriculum leads and professionals. If you wish individuals to be added to this distribution list please email [email protected]
This bulletin reflects the ongoing work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates.
This is a document produced by Counter Terrorism Police South East that outlines key threats, risks and vulnerabilities within the south east region. The Portsmouth Prevent Board is working on an action plan for the coming year to address these considerations, which include:
There is a lot of material and information available, some of which has already been shared via the PEP.
There is a link where you can see a broad overview of what content is blocked by your provider without undertaking some very risky searches. Test Your Internet Filter | SWGfL Test Filtering
We are still awaiting the findings and recommendations from the review into Prevent. Key findings will be shared through this platform. In the meantime it is worth remembering that Prevent has been a key part of the government’s counter terrorism strategy since 2006, with the Duty coming into force in 2015. During this time, training has provided frontline workers with the skills to identify the signs of radicalisation and protect vulnerable individuals. Prevent is a preventative programme that works in a similar way to other safeguarding programmes that provide support to those who are being exploited or groomed.
A useful classroom resource by Childnet aimed at secondary school pupils and includes guidance on how educators can encourage ‘empathetic, honest, and evidence-based conversations on online hate’. Talk It Over – Educate Against Hate
Please contact either myself [email protected] or Charlie [email protected] if you require staff training. We can accommodate a range of different needs and group dimensions. We are also happy to deliver remotely over platforms such as Teams or Zoom.
A reminder – Prevent Training Dates for 2022 (all via Microsoft Teams)
9th June (10am-11:30am)
13th Sept (10am-11:30am)
13th Dec (10am-11:30am)
You can request a space by emailing [email protected]
Project Orpheus and Prevent update - January 2022
This email is for Project Orpheus Observer Partners, head teachers, senior leaders, DSLs, curriculum leads and professionals. If you wish individuals to be added to this distribution list please email [email protected]
This bulletin reflects the on-going work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates.
We have worked closely with some local partners over the past quarter. We have delivered training sessions to Motiv8 on Controversial Issues, Online safety, Youth culture and Politicisation. These sessions provided an opportunity for us to deliver our training material and to gain an invaluable insight into the work that frontline experts perform on a daily basis with young people. We are also working with Unloc, who will be delivering our Online Awareness and Critical Literacy training to schools. So far they have delivered to all Y10 students at Priory.
Finally we held some safe space sessions at St Edmund’s Catholic school that were facilitated by Jon Nicholas, Conflict Resolution expert, who has previously worked with us on the training materials and through his work for the Johnathan Ball & Tim Parry Peace Foundation. Click here to read St. Edmund’s newsletter on the day. We hope to continue with this programme of running safe space sessions throughout the spring term.
We completed the project that was funded by the DfE. The project allowed us to commission the PSCP to deliver training to local groups and individuals, plus the creation of short videos for parents outlining the kinds of questions they should be asking of settings. Keeping children safe in out-of-school settings – Portsmouth City Council As part of the legacy of the project there will be 4 training dates this year, book via the training section on the PSCP website. Training – Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Board (portsmouthscp.org.uk)
The latest statistics were released at the end of last year covering March 2020-March 2021. There was a significant drop in referrals, largely due to the lockdown. However in line with previous data, males make up 88% of referrals and significantly for schools/colleges 15-20 year olds make up 29% of referrals and under 15 make up 20%. For a full breakdown of the figures Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme, England and Wales, April 2020 to March 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Counter Terrorism Police is continuing to call on members of the public to be aware of the signs to spot any concerns they have about vulnerable people they know. They have launched two new ‘letters to my younger self’ videos which speak directly to young people about the risks of radicalisation. The films can be viewed here Real stories | ACT Early
This is a Blog (and another plug) for the Going too Far resource. Going Too Far? A New Resource For Teachers to Tackle Online Harms and Extremism – Educate Against Hate
Please contact either myself [email protected] or Charlie [email protected] if you require staff training. We can accommodate a range of different needs and group dimensions. We are also happy to deliver remotely over platforms such as Teams or Zoom.
Project Orpheus and Prevent update - October 2021
This email is for Project Orpheus Observer Partners, head teachers, senior leaders, DSLs, curriculum leads and professionals. If you wish individuals to be added to this distribution list please email [email protected].
This bulletin reflects the on-going work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates.
We conducted a ‘Deep Dive’ session with Unloc to review the training materials on Cyber Awareness. The purpose of the session was to gain feedback from professionals on the training so it could enhance the delivery and ensure maximum impact on the young people of the city. We also worked with a number of young people where the focus was more on co-creation and using them as part of the solution – the ‘bottom-up’ approach that is integral to the Orpheus project. The young people involved were extremely insightful and generous with their time and engagement. Their first-hand knowledge of false information and the range of influences that are available to young people will prove to be invaluable. The next steps are to work with our Orpheus partners and local providers in delivering this training package across the city but also within France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
We have also sought feedback from Hampshire Police Education Partnership on this aspect of the project and look forward to their input on other areas too. Finally we will be holding some safe space sessions at St Edmund’s Catholic school that will be facilitated by Jon Nicholas, Conflict Resolution expert, who has previously worked with us on the training materials and through his work for the Johnathan Ball & Tim Parry Peace Foundation.
2. National referral form for Prevent
Concerns about radicalisation and extremism are treated in the same way as all other safeguarding issues.
The process is to complete the Prevent National Referral From and submit to [email protected]
The form will be forwarded to the local authority safeguarding team and the Prevent policing team for a joint assessment. At this point, the MASH may determine that a referral for intervention under early help s.17 or s.47 of the 1989 Children Act or s.42 of the Care Act is necessary whilst the police are gathering further information. The referral form can be accessed here.
3. Mixed, Unclear and Unstable Ideologies
4. Incident in Plymouth
In the summer there was the incident in Plymouth, where 6 people died and two severely injured in a shooting attack. The perpetrator was identified as Jake Davison. The incident was not defined as a terrorist act, but it is under review. It has been reported that his social media footprint showed links to the Incel movement.
5. Conspiracy Theories – teaching resource
A new resource for teachers has been published to support them in ‘managing’ conspiracy theories in the classroom. It is written by academics who were both previously teachers. It is very accessible with some useful tools that can be developed by teachers.
6. London Grid for Learning – Going too Far
This is an interactive classroom resource designed for teachers to help students understand extremism and how certain online behaviour may be illegal or dangerous – aimed at secondary schools, with elements easily adaptable for primaries/colleges. All activities have cross-curricular relevance, facilitate a whole-school approach in line the RSHE guidance, KCSinE and a link to statements in the UKCIS Education for a Connected World.
The resource includes:
7. Training
Please contact either myself [email protected] or Charlie [email protected] if you require staff training. We can accommodate a range of different needs and group dimensions. We are also happy to deliver remotely over platforms such as Teams or Zoom.
Project Orpheus and Prevent update - July 2021
This bulletin reflects the on-going work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates.
1.Project Orpheus – Partner Meeting 8
2. Out of Schools Settings (OOSS): training for professionals
3. Reporting Prejudicial Language and Behaviour
4. Extreme far right group banned
Attomwaffen Division has been proscribed – White supremacist group, Atomwaffen Division, banned in the UK – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) – and so members of this group or those who invite support for the group could be jailed for up to 10 years.
5. Educate Against Hate – Monthly newsletter
EAH is a DfE website and platform for guidance and resources relating to the Prevent Duty. There are sections for teachers, leaders and parents. If you’d like to receive their monthly newsletter sign up via this link Educate Against Hate Registration (mailchi.mp)
6. Training
Please contact either myself [email protected] or Charlie [email protected] if you require staff training. We can accommodate a range of different needs and group dimensions. We are also happy to deliver remotely over platforms such as Teams or Zoom.
7. Independent Review of Prevent
The Independent Review of Prevent is reviewing the Government’s strategy for supporting people vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism and making recommendations for a future approach. As part of this work, the Independent Reviewer of Prevent wants to hear from as wide a range of people as possible to help inform his final report through a series of virtual public engagement events. These events provide an opportunity for the public to have their say on Prevent, informing the recommendations submitted to government, and to share their views on key issues, including the impact of Prevent on individuals, families and communities, whether Prevent tackling the causes of radicalisation and if there should be a strategy aimed at supporting those vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism and what it should look like. Those with lived experience of any aspect of the Prevent system, or those working in the voluntary, community, faith, youth, health, justice or education sectors, are encouraged to attend and share their views. You can sign up to the events below:
Project Orpheus and Prevent update - April 2021
This bulletin reflects the on-going work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates.
Guidance and support for schools and colleges in England to support their approach to harmful online challenges and online hoaxes. The advice covers: preparing in advance for any online challenges and hoaxes; safeguarding children and young people; sharing information with parents and carers; and where to get help and support.
The PSCP has delivered training to over 40 individuals who represent OOSS. There are further dates scheduled and booking can be made via the PSCP website.
This free training consolidates basic safeguarding requirements alongside key recommendations from the non-statutory guidance released in October 2021.
The latest Prevent statistics were released by the Home Office early this year and show some key trends that are relevant for those working in the education sector. Please note that the figures can be viewed in three different ways:
A working group has finalised some key changes to the materials supporting the reporting of Prejudicial Language and Behaviour.
The UK terrorism threat level has now been lowered from Severe, meaning an attack is highly likely, to Substantial. The UK national threat level is kept under constant review, and JTAC (Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre) conduct a formal review every six months. This is a systematic, comprehensive, and rigorous process, based on the very latest intelligence and analysis of internal and external factors which drive the threat.
Please contact either myself [email protected] or Charlie [email protected] if you require staff training. We can accommodate a range of different needs and group dimensions. We are also happy to deliver remotely over platforms such as Teams or Zoom.
Project Orpheus and Prevent update - January 2021
This bulletin reflects the on-going work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates.
Despite the challenging circumstances, we have managed to work with young people virtually at Portsmouth and Highbury Colleges.
There has been a slight change to the referral process. Information is to be submitted on the National Referral Form that will then be simultaneously shared with Police and the MASH. Guidance is attached.
The first part of the training to professionals will take place on 04.02.21 4:00pm-6:00pm via Zoom. This will be led by Sam Nesbitt from the Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership. Please email me if you wish to attend.
Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme, April 2019 to March 2020 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A new OMG (attached) has been written to support frontline professionals. It will be uploaded to the PSCP website.
Colleagues in Kent and West Sussex have reported leafleting of this group and their Twitter account shows they have been leafleting in Southampton as well. This group promotes white nationalism and its content focuses on idolising the white race and highlighting the problems caused by ‘non-white’ immigration. They have produced an alternative curriculum that encourages home-schooling, to the extent that they have template letters for parents to send to schools and the local authority. If you become aware of any PA activity in the city, please let Charlie or myself know.
Counter Terrorism Policing’s new safeguarding website, which is aims to support those concerned about their friends and family being radicalised. The FAQs page is particularly helpful FAQ | ACT Early
Safer Internet Day 2021 will be celebrated in the UK with the theme: An internet we trust: exploring reliability in the online world
Project Orpheus and Prevent update - October 2020
This bulletin reflects the on-going work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates.
Project Orpheus and Prevent update - May 2020
This bulletin reflects the on-going work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates.
We found that all pupils were well aware of the amount information that they consumed (either passively or actively) on a daily basis through their online activity. Most had a good understanding of fake news, however less were as informed on how echo chambers and filter bubbles influences our online habits. Fewer still had a clear idea of how information is constructed and how it might be used. Our findings really resonate with the current climate given that we are exposed to huge amount of information, misinformation and disinformation.
Orpheus seeks to build resilience in young people, for example:
Working with professionals
We asked a number of professionals the following question: what is the biggest threat to young people online?
There is plenty of guidance and information being circulated, especially concerning staying safe online. We are aware that some extremists are exploiting Covid-19 to reinforce their pre-existing narratives, so some online platforms are hosting wider conspiratorial narratives. Below is some guidance and some resources that may be used for developing digital literacy and critical thinking (key components of the Orpheus project).
Educate Against Hate – Blog
The DfE website has produced a blog entitled School Closures: Ongoing Prevent Management Support.
Covid-19 Disinformation briefings from the Institute of Strategic Dialogue
ISD are creating regular ‘Disinformation Briefings’, which analyse how extremist and/or radical movements are weaponising the COVID-19 crisis, either to sow division or direct hate towards specific (minority) groups. https://www.isdglobal.org/isd-publications/
CTPHQ Online Harms Guidance
The impact of COVID-19 means most children will be at home for an extended period and will be spending increasing amounts of time online. Counter Terrorism Police have produced some guidance to parents relating to the specific online radicalisation risk.
Websites:
Fact Checkers:
Both Charlie and myself are still available to deal with Prevent concerns and offer support, advice and training. This can be over the phone, email or via a video call. Nothing has changed in terms of the referral process, all Prevent referrals must be made via the MASH, please see Portsmouth City Council’s One Minute Guidance on Prevent/Channel.
As a reminder, Prevent training can be accessed via the Home Office’s e-learning platform.
Project Orpheus and Prevent update - December 2019
This bulletin will now reflect the on-going work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates.
1. Project Orpheus – Kick Off event in Ghent, Belgium
Both Charlie Pericleous and myself attended the Kick Off event for Project Orpheus in Ghent, Belgium. It was an opportunity to share good practice from partners from France, Belgium and the
Netherlands alongside academics and representatives from the Home and Foreign & Commonwealth Office. We were able to showcase Portsmouth’s approach to preventing violent extremism with a focus on raising awareness of the far right threat. Partner consensus was also agreed on a number of key concepts that will steer the field work.
2. Project Orpheus – focus groups & workshops
In the past few months we have working with a number of young people and professionals to find out their views on:
Young people are keen to be able to share their views on a variety of subjects. The development of safe spaces will allow young people greater opportunity to debate the things that interest them or that are causing them concern. The focus groups have also allowed us to capture some resilience techniques that young people employ to navigate through online and offline spaces. We are always looking for practitioners and young people to work with, so if you think any of the Orpheus content may be useful for you, then please contact us. We already have several established links alongside some local providers who we will
commission to deliver some of this work.
3. The Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) Filtering Tool
The UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) has worked with the Home Office to create a tool to help schools and educational institutions to test whether they are covered by the CTIRU ‘filter list’. The tool will also check whether schools or educational institutions are covered by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) URL list, which contains links to online child sexual exploitation content. If they are not covered, the tool will signpost the user to further information about filtering on the UKSIC website, including how to ensure they are covered by both lists and assist them in ensuring they have appropriate filters in place.
This tool can be accessed through the UKSIC website.
Please note that the filter list is available widely and not limited to schools, however this tool created by UKSIC is aimed at schools only.
4. New Online Referral Form for Reporting Extremism in the Education Sector
The DDCED (Due Diligence and Counter Extremism Division) who sit within the DfE, have developed a new online referral form. Alongside the counter-extremism helpline, the form provides a vehicle for members of the public to report extremism concerns in the education sector to the DfE so they can investigate and determine whether they need to take any action or support institutions. DDCED investigates extremism concerns and allegations related to adults working in or connected to the education sector – for example teachers, other school staff (caretakers, midday supervisors), governors and head teachers. They look at concerns from early years to HE.
This form is also included on the relevant DfE webpages so it can be accessed by members of the public.
5. NSPCC Childline Annual Review
The NSPCC has published the Childline annual review 2018/19. The review looks at what children and young people tell Childline during counselling sessions and how Childline is supporting them both online and over the phone.
6. Advice to the schools sector following London Bridge attack
The DfE have produced some simple guidance signposting to key resources and existing documents of support. Please find this attached.
7. Prevent Concerns
Both Charlie and myself are still available to deal with Prevent concerns and offer support, advice and training as per our previous roles. However as a way of a reminder, all Prevent referrals must be made via the MASH, please see Portsmouth City Council’s One Minute Guidance on Prevent/Channel.
Project Orpheus and Prevent update - October 2019
This bulletin will now reflect the on-going work of Project Orpheus alongside any local or national Prevent updates.
1. Project Orpheus – Initiation Completed
Both Charlie Pericleous and myself have successfully completed in the initiation stage of our European project. The 3 year funded project named Orpheus will work in partnership with other coastal cities and universities within France, Belgium and Netherlands on online and offline methods to build resilience within young people, online safety and an EU prevention model for violent extremism. Initial focus groups have taken place with young people at Highbury College and at Springfield Secondary school. The project is supported by local charities and schools, in addition to the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who will distribute the findings when they become available
2. Portsmouth hosts delegates from EU
During July, we hosted 25 delegates from other coastal cities, universities and social service departments in France, Belgium and the Netherlands to formalise the approaches that would be undertaken throughout the project. In short, there are 3 main aims:
We are always looking for practitioners and young people to work with, so if you think any of the Orpheus content may be useful for you, then please contact us. We already have several established links alongside some local providers who we will commission to deliver some of this work.
For more information on the project, please see either the SPP or PEP websites.
3. Hate Crime Awareness Week 12-19 October
#NHCAW organised by the No To Hate Crime Campaign.
4. Teaching online safety in schools guidance
The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance for schools in England outlining how they can ensure their pupils understand how to stay safe and behave online as part of forthcoming and existing curriculum requirements. (attached)
5. Online harm
The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a summary of children’s experiences of online harm and what they think should be done about it. Findings, based on two workshops with groups from primary and secondary schools, include: many children had reported instances of harmful content online but felt the system was confusing; several children said that reporting abusive behaviour can multiply abuse; and most senior school children want websites to say what they’re doing to fix the problem of
online harm.
6. Keeping children safe online
This NSPCC online training course, developed in association with CEOP (the child protection unit of the National Crime Agency), is for anyone who works with children and young people. The four hour course helps adults understand what children and young people do online, why they take risks and how to respond to these risks.
7. Prevent Independent Reviewer chosen
Lord Carlile has been chosen as the Independent Reviewer of Prevent. The review will focus on the current delivery of the Prevent programme and make recommendations for the future and is expected to report to Parliament by August 2020. For full details of the announcement please see here.
8. Prevent Concerns
Both Charlie and myself are still available to deal with Prevent concerns and offer support, advice and training as per our previous roles. However as a way of a reminder, all Prevent referrals must be made via the MASH, please see Portsmouth City Council’s One Minute Guidance on Prevent/Channel.
Prevent update - May 2019
Key dates coming up:
22 May: Anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack (2 years)
3 June: Anniversary of London Bridge attack (2 years)
12 June: Anne Frank Day
19 June: Anniversary of Finsbury Park attack (2 years)
20 June: World Refugee Day
30 June: World Social Media Day
1. Sri Lanka terrorist attack
The DfE produced a short piece of guidance post the events in Sri Lanka. Mike Stoneman emailed this out on 26.04.19 and it has also been included in the PEP weekly bulletin. In case you haven’t seen, it is attached.
2. Stand Up! Education
This is an organisation that runs workshops to:
It is aimed at secondary schools and sessions can be tailored to schools’ needs. All workshops are free of charge. Leaflet is attached. Email Roxana Jebreel [email protected]
3. Fundamental British values
Educate Against Hate have produced a blog on Twinkl setting out what it means to implement fBv in primary schools, and addressing some criticisms about terminology.
4. Prejudicial language reporting tool
A reminder that this is a PAN Hampshire initiative with support from the OPCC. Karen Thomas sent out this email, along with the reporting tool to Head Teachers on 28.04.19. We are asking that you send EMAS a copy of the completed report each time you have had need to use it, either electronically to [email protected] or via internal mail. We are not collecting names of either victims or perpetrators so please can you anonymise the proforma before you send it or we will do that for you this end. The document has some guidance notes attached to it for ease of use, although we do not require you to send this part of the form back to us.
5. Letter from Damian Hinds to NAHT (RSE)
As stated previously, this is not a Prevent issue, however there are wider links to British values and building positive relationships. His letter is attached.
6. Online training from ACT (Action Counters Terrorism)
This is online training from the organisation that developed RUN HIDE TELL. It is suitable for everyone working in a crowded environment – retail, entertainment, sport, education, places of worship – flyer is attached.
Prevent in education: a Portsmouth perspective - May 2019
What is the Prevent Strategy?
What are your Prevent Strategy responsibilities?
What support is on offer?
Best practice of the Prevent Strategy in Schools
Suggested resources
Government published resources
For further information or to arrange an appointment with John Webster please email [email protected].