PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Education (23 June 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Prevent strategy, how often his Department holds discussions with education providers to seek their feedback on the strategy; what form those discussions take; and how participants are selected.

Asked by:
Sarah Owen (Labour)

The Department works closely with networks of Government funded Prevent practitioners. This includes Prevent Education Officers, which are employed by local authorities in priority areas, and regional coordinators who support further education colleges and universities.

When required, the Department seeks feedback on specific issues or areas of guidance from a range of stakeholders, such as volunteers identified by practitioners and partner organisations.

The Department also has a public facing helpline for providers if they are concerned about extremism or would like further advice. Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-extremism-in-schools-and-childrens-services/preventing-extremism-in-the-education-and-childrens-services-sectors.

The Government is committed to assessing the effectiveness of the Prevent strategy, which is why it is carrying out an independent review of Prevent. William Shawcross was appointed on 26 January 2021 as the new independent reviewer. The review will look at how effective the statutory Prevent duty is, including through engagement with the education sector, and will make recommendations for the future.

Answered by:
Nick Gibb (Conservative)
28 June 2021