Prevent at the University of Westminster
We take a balanced, proactive approach to the implementation of the Prevent duty; working with colleagues, students, and local partners to provide an inclusive, safe learning environment for all.
At the heart of our Prevent-related policies and procedures is a desire to meet our legal obligations in an equitable and transparent way. We are committed to providing the right level of support to all students and staff and view our duty to prevent those within our academic community being drawn into terrorism as a safeguarding issue. As such, we do not operate any single overarching Prevent policy that identifies criteria for concerns, choosing instead to take a supportive approach which incorporates safeguarding into all we do.
Freedom of Speech and Events at Westminster
The University of Westminster fully supports freedom of speech and expression within the law as fundamental to the principles upon which we were founded. We are committed to an environment in which students and colleagues have the freedom to question, test and put forward new ideas and controversial opinions, without placing themselves at any risk.
To meet this commitment, our Freedom of Speech Code of Practice and Event Booking processes clearly set out the expectations placed upon all speakers at the University. These are not restrictive policies and processes; we aim to enable the broadest debate whilst also giving assurances that we are all challenging violent extremism, false narratives, and those who seek to promote them.
The following policies and processes provide support:
- Freedom of Speech Code of Conduct
This policy provides the overarching framework to which all other policies are required to adhere. Central to the code is the principal that 'all students and staff have freedom to question, test and to put forward new ideas and controversial opinions, without placing themselves at any risk'. - Student Event Booking Process
This process applies only to students and is managed by the University of Westminster Student’s Union with oversight and regular review from the University. - Colleague Event Booking Process
This process applied to all employees and is managed by the University’s College Events Co-ordinators. - Events Code of Conduct
All events are to be managed according to the Events Code of Conduct. This document expands upon that which is in the Freedom of Speech Code of Conduct and applies to students, colleagues, and all other stakeholders. The Events Code of Conduct sets out how to ensure events are able to go ahead without issue.
Each September, we run annual training in understanding Freedom of Speech and Events at Westminster which is open to all colleagues. Dates are advertised on our internal events calendar.
IT Acceptable Usage
We do monitor and record the use of our IT facilities for the purposes of:
- the effective and efficient planning and operation of the IT facilities;
- investigation, detection and prevention of infringement of the law;
- investigation of alleged misconduct by staff or students;
- non-University of Westminster approved assets which may be operating on the University of Westminster network, for example, unauthorised devices, software, operating systems, network scanning devices and hacking tools
Should we become aware of usage which breaks the law, we reserve the right to contact the Police. The University of Westminster will comply with lawful requests for information from government and law enforcement agencies.
Further details can be found in our IT Acceptable Usage Policy.
Colleague Prevent training
In accordance with our legal obligations, all University staff are required to undertake Prevent training as part of their induction programme, and this is followed up with regular refresher training at set intervals.
All of the training we provide is aimed at identifying vulnerable individuals and providing the support they need academically, personally and pastorally.
Senior leadership oversight
The University’s Executive Board receives internal reports on Prevent compliance at set points throughout the year. The reports provide an overview of how Prevent compliance is being managed and make the executive aware of any areas of potential concern.
The reports are also used to update the University’s Prevent Risk Assessment and Action Plan. The Risk Assessment and Action Plan is a combined document and a formal Office for Students requirement of Higher Education Prevent duty compliance.
The University’s Court of Governors receives the Risk Assessment and Action Plan annually, along with a written report covering Prevent duty compliance across the reporting period.
Engaging with local networks
The University plays an active role in the London Higher Education Prevent Network, working with our local partners to give assurances that our Prevent obligations are being met in a transparent and equitable way. Membership of this network provides us with opportunities to learn from best practice and share methods for reaching our common goal of providing an inclusive educational environment.
Reporting concerns
As a University community, we are all responsible for the well-being of our colleagues, and we must recognise that at one time or another everyone is vulnerable and needs some help. We do not watch or monitor any member of our University community; we provide supporting services to those who need them.
If you have concerns about a member of our University community, you are advised to speak with one of our safeguarding officers. If you are unsure who to approach, you can send your concerns via email to: [email protected]. This mailbox is monitored.
We understand that individuals may feel unsure when reporting a concern and provide the following to support them.
Reporting a concern means:
- we can reach out to the most vulnerable and offer the support of our many services
- we can protect all of our community
Reporting a concern does not mean:
- that the person you are concerned about is in any kind of trouble
- that we will automatically contact the police or that the individual will be reported to any external authority