Prevent Update: Key Developments for Further Education and Skills Providers (Summer 2026)

The Department for Education's latest Prevent updates highlight several important developments for education providers. While some information is region-specific, the key themes and priorities are consistent across England and provide valuable insight into current safeguarding and counter-extremism expectations.

1. National Threat Level Remains High The newsletters reference the UK terrorism threat level being raised to Severe, meaning an attack is considered highly likely. This serves as an important reminder that Prevent remains a core safeguarding responsibility for all education providers and should not be viewed as a standalone compliance activity. Providers should ensure staff remain vigilant and confident in recognising potential signs of radicalisation.

2. Increased Focus on Emerging Ideologies The DfE continues to expand training opportunities covering emerging extremist narratives and online harms. Particular attention is being given to:

• Incel and misogynistic extremist ideologies
• Online radicalisation
• Extremist content on social media platforms
• Gaming environments and radicalisation risks
• Islamist extremism
• Extreme right-wing extremism

This reflects the increasingly diverse pathways through which individuals may become vulnerable to extremist influences. Providers should ensure staff understand that radicalisation risks now extend far beyond traditional extremist groups.

3. Building Staff Confidence in Difficult Conversations A significant development is the launch of new resources designed to help staff manage sensitive and controversial discussions in classrooms and learning environments.

New materials include:

• Staff training modules
• E-learning resources
• Resilience Ambassador programmes
• Classroom activities and debate frameworks
• Guidance on maintaining impartiality

These resources aim to help teachers and trainers facilitate discussions safely while maintaining professional boundaries and encouraging respectful debate.

4. Updated Guidance on External Speakers The DfE has refreshed guidance relating to external speakers and events.

While external speakers can enrich learning experiences, providers are reminded to undertake proportionate due diligence and ensure safeguarding procedures are followed. This includes considering both speakers invited into educational settings and visits to external events.

5. Anti-Semitism Review and Call for Evidence The Department for Education has launched a national call for evidence into antisemitism in schools and colleges.

The review seeks feedback from students, staff, parents and education professionals to better understand experiences and strengthen future guidance, policies and support mechanisms. The work follows reports of increased incidents affecting Jewish students and staff.

6. Learning from the Southport Inquiry The publication of Phase 1 of the Southport Inquiry highlights concerns about missed opportunities across agencies to identify and respond to risk.

Although the inquiry focuses on a specific case, its findings reinforce several longstanding Prevent themes:

• Information sharing
• Professional curiosity
• Multi-agency working
• Early intervention
• Clear accountability

These are all areas that education providers should continue to strengthen through safeguarding practice.

7. Martyn's Law: What Providers Need to Know The statutory guidance for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn's Law, has now been published. Although implementation is still some time away, providers should begin familiarising themselves with the requirements around protective security and preparedness. Education-specific guidance from the DfE is expected to support the sector in understanding its obligations.

8. Greater Emphasis on Protective Security and Emergency Preparedness The DfE continues to promote resources that help education settings prepare for emergency situations, including:

• ACT for Education training
• ACT for Youth resources
• RUN, HIDE, TELL guidance
• Protective Security and Preparedness guidance

While Prevent focuses on reducing radicalisation risks, these resources support organisations in responding effectively should an incident occur.

9. Notice, Check, Share Counter Terrorism Policing is encouraging providers to strengthen understanding of the "Notice, Check, Share" approach.

This encourages staff to:

• Notice concerning behaviours or indicators.
• Check concerns appropriately within safeguarding procedures.
• Share information through established channels where necessary.

Importantly, providers are encouraged to seek advice before making referrals when appropriate.

10. New Intervention Support Below Channel Threshold An interesting pilot programme is being tested for individuals who present some vulnerabilities associated with extremism but do not meet the threshold for Channel intervention.

The initiative uses a platform called Peerscroller, which provides short-form, fact-checked content aimed at:

• Improving digital literacy
• Challenging misinformation
• Addressing misogyny and incel narratives
• Building resilience
• Encouraging critical thinking

The pilot highlights a growing recognition that early intervention and preventative education can play a significant role before risks escalate.

What Should Providers Do Now? As we move into the new academic year, providers may wish to review:

• Staff Prevent training records
• Safeguarding and Prevent policies
• External speaker procedures
• Online safety arrangements
• Staff confidence in managing controversial discussions
• Referral pathways and escalation processes
• Emergency preparedness plans

The overall message from the DfE remains clear: Prevent is a safeguarding responsibility, and effective implementation relies on well-informed staff, strong leadership, professional curiosity, and a culture where concerns are identified and acted upon early.