Prevent Duty
What Is the Prevent Duty?
The Prevent Duty is a legal obligation established by the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. It requires universities and colleges to take steps to stop people from becoming involved in terrorism or supporting extremist views.
Prevent Duty at Cliff College
At Cliff College, we believe that safeguarding people from extremist influence aligns with our core ethos as a Methodist and evangelical learning community, committed to justice, grace, inclusion, and the dignity of all.
Cliff College is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all students, staff, and visitors. As part of our duty of care and in line with our legal responsibilities under the Prevent Duty, we work proactively to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism or extremist behaviour.
We approach the Prevent Duty as part of our broader safeguarding and wellbeing commitment, ensuring our learning community remains a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all.
Training and Awareness
We provide training for appropriate staff to:
- Recognise signs of radicalisation or extremist behaviour
- Understand referral pathways and safeguarding procedures
Speakers and Events
The College ensures that all events, external speakers, and groups using our facilities align with our ethos and do not present harmful or extremist content.
All staff, students, and visitors are expected to:
- Respect our core commitments to dignity, diversity, and grace
- Refrain from promoting extremist or divisive ideologies
- Support our safe, inclusive, and worshipful learning community
Our policy on visiting speakers requires agreement to our ethos and this summary statement before participation:
Cliff College is a Methodist and evangelical learning community, rooted in God’s Word and Spirit. The academic programmes of Cliff College seek to form and equip students for the practice and leadership of Christian mission and evangelism in contemporary contexts. While serving the whole Church, one of the College’s primary catchments is the Methodist family of churches – both the Methodist Church in Britain and partner churches around the world – within which Cliff offers a distinctly evangelical voice. Students can expect the curriculum to be consistent with this heritage and the calling and priorities of the Methodist Church, of which the college is a part. The curriculum is thus marked by a firm commitment to God’s inclusive grace, and a deep appreciation of the rich and diverse tapestry of Christian experience. In equipping students for the practice and leadership of mission and evangelism, the curriculum embraces the importance – both separately and in their interplay together – of Scripture, reason, tradition, experience and the justice-and-holiness-seeking community brought about by God’s Spirit.
Academic Freedom
Cliff College is committed to academic freedom and freedom of speech within the bounds of respectful, lawful, and constructive dialogue.
We encourage diverse voices, spiritual exploration, and honest debate, while ensuring that no speech or activity at Cliff College promotes hatred, violence, or extremism.
Reporting Concerns and Further Resources
Report a Concern
If you have a concern about a student, staff member, visitor, or external speaker, please contact the Safeguarding Team by emailing safeguarding@cliffcollege.ac.uk, or contacting the Prevent Lead, Rev Dr Andrew Stobart.