Calderdale Council Hiring for Prevent Education Officer Job at Halifax, England , UK Full Time

Calderdale Council plays a key role in enhancing life opportunities for the 210,000 residents of the borough. Its three key priorities include reducing the causes of deprivation and inequalities, developing sustainable towns and acting on climate change. The work of the Prevent team is embedded within the work reduce inequalities & deprivation and to develop strong and resilient towns.

• safeguarding and supporting those most at risk of radicalisation through early intervention, to mitigate negative perceptions of Prevent surveillance and offering support.

• enabling those who have already engaged in extremist activity/terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate.

Calderdale is a diverse, vibrant borough, affording our children and young people a great opportunity to build understanding across opinions, faiths, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. We recognise the need to provide them with the tools to question narratives and influencers they may meet, virtually or in person. This is a high-profile role, responsible for working with educational establishments across the district who work with children and young people to develop resources to be delivered to pupils/students in order to equip them with the critical thinking skills that can help to safeguard against exploitation, as well as building awareness of vulnerabilities and risks among professionals in this sector.

Working closely with the Prevent Coordinator, this role will help build effective engagement with our schools and other education providers, including Early Years providers, out of school education and further and higher education. The post holder will identify vulnerabilities and risk, deliver training and capacity building, and build and maintain a network of contacts within the borough to advance Prevent activity, including the wider local authority, police, Ofsted, Homeland Security Group and the Department for Education. This will support the sector to respond to safeguarding risks and deliver effective education that builds resilience to different extremist narratives and generates an environment where diversity is positively valued.

To be ready for this opportunity you need to possess:

• The ability to strategically engage with educational establishments and governing bodies to ensure they are meeting their statutory Prevent duty and supporting children and young people to minimise the risk of harm associated with radicalisation and extremism.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to develop and deliver training and resources to teaching staff and other professionals.

• An understanding of the risk factors associated with radicalisation and extremism and the creativity to develop resources that encourage positive and constructive debates within educational establishments.

• The confidence and skills to engage with young people in the delivery of resources to promote resilience to radicalisation and extremism.

• Be politically aware and solve problems creatively whilst being informed by policy.

• Professionalism in your approach and an acute awareness of the importance confidentiality and data protection to manage sensitive information.

• Flexibility and the ability to work occasionally out of office hours.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants to posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act will require a DBS from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed.

This appointment will be subject to satisfactory security clearance from the Homeland Security Group.

Closing Date: Thursday, 21st July 2022

We are following social distancing precautions and may utilise digital interview methods.

As part of our Vision (https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision/) we aim to be a talented, resilient and inclusive community. We welcome applications from all and offer a variety of flexible working / job share opportunities for both full and part time staff.

All applications are anonymised before being seen by the selection panel.

We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to the advertised closing date, an early submission is advised.