Description
In 2023, William Shawcross published an independent review on the UK’s Prevent strategy, which seeks to prevent people from becoming radicalised and potentially being drawn into terrorism. One of the key findings of this report was a need to improved training among those sectors which are required to identify and refer individuals at risk of radicalisation through the Prevent Duty – local authorities, education, healthcare, police and criminal justice agencies. This paper presents the research conducted at Canterbury Christ Church University to explore how enhanced training through ‘Hydra’ simulation exercise can improve the confidence and competence of Higher Education staff to make necessary and appropriate referrals. Participants completed two surveys - prior to the exercise and following the exercise - which resulted in actionable insights into the effectiveness of this approach. The findings of this research highlighted the positive outcomes of the simulation and resulted in the roll-out of this enhanced training programme across Canterbury Christ Church University.
