Prevent: guidance for NHS mental health services
How those working in NHS mental health services can help reduce the risk of radicalisation in children, young people and adults.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
Prevent is part of the government’s Counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST) 2023, which aims to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
Prevent works to ensure that people who may be susceptible to radicalisation are offered appropriate interventions and communities are protected against radicalising influences.
People working in NHS trust and NHS foundation trust mental health services have a critical role in Prevent because frontline workers often meet and treat people who may be susceptible to radicalisation.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) commissioned RAND Europe, an independent not-for-profit policy research organisation, to support DHSC in producing this guidance. It replaces NHS England’s 2017 Guidance for mental health services in exercising duties to safeguard people from the risk of radicalisation.
This guidance:
- provides an overview of what Prevent is
- outlines how those working in NHS mental health services can assist in managing the risk of radicalisation among their patients
- explains how to determine when a referral may be appropriate, including specific considerations for people with mental health conditions and those who may be neurodivergent, and relevant training materials
- describes the referral process and the role of staff throughout the wider Prevent pathway
- provides guidance on sharing information with other government agencies and partners
Published alongside this guidance are 2 concise summaries designed for:
- all staff
- Prevent leads in mental health services