As educators and healthcare practitioners, our roles often intersect with broader societal responsibilities, including safeguarding and counterterrorism. A recent study, "The banality of counterterrorism ‘after, after 9/11’? Perspectives on the Prevent duty from the UK health care sector" by Heath-Kelly and Strausz, offers valuable insights into how counterterrorism measures are integrated into everyday professional practices. This blog explores key findings from the study and how they can enhance your practice.
Understanding the Prevent Duty
The Prevent Duty, introduced by the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act of 2015, requires public sector workers, including healthcare and educational professionals, to report signs of radicalisation. This study focuses on how this duty is perceived and implemented within the UK healthcare sector.
Key Findings
- Most NHS staff accept their new responsibilities under the Prevent Duty and feel comfortable with the training provided.
- Staff knowledge of radicalisation indicators often stems from popular culture rather than official training.
- There is a tension between traditional safeguarding roles and the Prevent Duty, as safeguarding typically involves protecting those with care and support needs, whereas Prevent applies to the entire population.
Implementing Insights in Your Practice
To effectively integrate these findings into your practice, consider the following steps:
- Enhanced Training: Ensure that your training programs provide clear, evidence-based indicators of radicalisation, reducing reliance on popular culture.
- Clear Communication: Foster open dialogues within your team about the differences between traditional safeguarding and Prevent duties.
- Reflective Practice: Regularly reflect on and discuss case studies to better understand the nuances of identifying radicalisation.
Encouraging Further Research
Understanding the broader implications of the Prevent Duty requires continuous research. Engage with academic studies and encourage your team to stay informed about the latest findings. This will not only enhance your practice but also ensure that your interventions are based on robust evidence.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The banality of counterterrorism “after, after 9/11”? Perspectives on the Prevent duty from the UK health care sector.
