Prevent Update 2026: Making the right referral

The Department for Education published updated Prevent duty guidance for DSLs on 26 September. The update is timely, reflecting growing national concern following recent serious case reviews, the tragic events in Southport and the Children’s Commissioner for England’s latest report on Prevent.

Dame Rachel De Souza’s report, published in August this year, includes new data that reveals that in 2024-25, nearly three in five referrals came from education settings. Of the referrals made by schools and colleges, 65 per cent were returned to education settings when the referral was closed. Furthermore, 93 per cent did not progress to panel discussion or further intervention through the Prevent programme.

While these figures may initially appear concerning, they also demonstrate that schools are becoming increasingly proactive in identifying potential vulnerabilities and seeking advice at an earlier stage. Dame Rachel rightly emphasises that children should receive support through the pathway best suited to their individual circumstances and acknowledges that Prevent is not always the most appropriate pathway for young people who may be vulnerable to radicalisation. Instead, children’s social care also needs to play a leading role in supporting these young people where Prevent is not appropriate.

In response to emerging trends and findings from recent reviews, the government has revised its Prevent guidance for education settings. Previous resources have been replaced with three practical toolkits designed specifically for DSLs and safeguarding teams. The revised framework places much greater emphasis on structured assessment, professional decision-making and clear referral thresholds.

What should you do?

• Prevent remains a statutory duty, and education settings should familiarise themselves with the revised framework and implement any necessary changes without delay.

• DSLs should review the new guidance as a priority, update relevant safeguarding policies and procedures, and ensure that staff are briefed on any changes to local referral processes and decision-making frameworks.

• The recommended training is available for free online (here) and so access to training should not present a significant barrier for schools.

• The assessment checklist is an especially useful tool when considering whether to submit a Prevent referral, as are the case studies that are included within the document.

When reviewing a concern regarding a possible Prevent referral, you should consider if:

• there is evidence of extremist or terrorist narratives

• the individual is showing support for, justification of or curiosity about terrorism

• there are vulnerabilities that may increase susceptibility to radicalisation

• there is evidence of concerning online activity or contact with individuals promoting extremist views

If, following assessment, there is no concern that an individual is susceptible to radicalisation or at risk of becoming involved in, supporting or facilitating terrorism, Prevent support is unlikely to be the right service. These concerns are better managed through the most appropriate safeguarding, welfare, behavioural, criminal justice or multi-agency pathways. This will not only reduce pressure on the Prevent teams but will ensure that young people have access to the most appropriate support. Examples may include: violence that is not linked to extremist ideologies or terrorism, general criminality or anti-social behaviour, mental health concerns requiring specialist support, other forms of exploitation, abuse or neglect. Where there is uncertainty, you should seek advice from your setting’s safeguarding partners or local Prevent contacts or Regional CONTEST co-ordinators.

This revised guidance is a welcome development for DSLs and safeguarding teams. It reinforces a key safeguarding principle: not every concern requires a Prevent referral, but every concern requires an appropriate response. Effective safeguarding relies on the right support being provided through the right pathway at the right time.

Find out more about how to support a child in school whose Prevent referral has been rejected with no support in Melissa Pollard’s blog here . The updated framework can be found here: the guidance for DSLs, a checklist for DSLs looking to support young people at risk of turning to extremism and a guide to participation in a Channel meeting. Safeguarding Network also provide resources relating to staff and pupil training on radicalization. Find out more here.

About the author: Claire Bellman is a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Head Pastoral with over 20 years experience in schools.