CONTEST Oversight Group

Terms of Reference

1. To oversee implementation of the Prevent, Protect and Prepare Duties at the University, including review of relevant data indicators. 
2. To maintain and monitor the University's Risk Registers and Action Plans relating to Prevent, Protect and Prepare, escalating any significant matters arising to the University Executive Board (UEB), Audit and Risk Committee and Council as necessary.
3. To review reports on any incidents at the University relating to Prevent and/or Protect and Prepare, including lessons learned.
4. To approve changes/additions to the University's policy framework relating to the Prevent Duty, liaising with other relevant committees/area leads as appropriate.
5. To approve operational frameworks and processes relating to implementation of the Prevent Duty, including the University’s approach to training.
6. To ensure that the above policy and operational frameworks and processes have particular regard to the University’s obligation to secure academic freedom and freedom of speech within the law.
7. To keep abreast of regional and national developments and requirements relating to the CONTEST Strategy and consider the implications for the University.
8. To review and recommend to UEB:

a. Annual internal assurance reports relating to implementation of the Prevent, Protect and Prepare Duties, for onward reporting to Audit & Risk Committee and Council; 

b. Statutory or regulatory reports and/or returns required by the relevant regulatory bodies, for onward recommendation to Audit & Risk Committee towards final approval by Council.

Authority

The CONTEST Oversight Group has delegated authority from UEB for oversight and decision-making in relation to implementation of the Prevent, Protect and Prepare Duties as set out under its remit above. It can also make recommendations and/or refer items to other University committees as appropriate. It has no budgetary control.

Membership

The Group’s members are appointed ex officio. Further internal and external colleagues may be invited to attend meetings as appropriate.

Membership Review: membership will be periodically reviewed by the Group itself for UEB approval. 

Membership 2025/26:

• Adam Hewitt, University Secretary, Prevent Duty Accountability and Policy Lead (Chair)
• Dr Richard Harrison, Deputy Secretary, Head of Prevent Duty Operations
• Professor Steve King, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education and Students
• Professor TT Arvind, York Law School
• Dev Agarwal, Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Work
• Rachel Barson, Director of Communications
• Jill Ellis, Head of Student Support and operational lead for Safeguarding
• Sarah Farrell, Deputy Head of Apprenticeships
• Richard Fuller, Assistant Director of IT (Infrastructure)
• Chris Goodman-Bowen, Head of Campus Safety
• Rachael Millhouse, Director of Human Resources
• Maria Ayaz, Head of Equality and Diversity
• Rev Dr Catherine Reid, Anglican Chaplain
• Andrew Taylor, Head of Policy, Integrity and Performance, RIKE
• Kate Williams, Central Resources Director, York Students' Union

In attendance 

Chris Sybenga, G7 Prevent Regional HE/FE Co-ordinator 

Dr Alice Wakely, Governance and Assurance Office (Secretary)

Meeting frequency

Three times per year, with the facility to transact and record decisions by written resolution or, where necessary, Chair’s Action.

Meeting modes

Meetings in 2025/26 to be held via Zoom.

Meeting dates 2025-26

Date	Time	Deadline for papers
Friday 24 October 2025	2pm - 4pm	Thursday 16 October 2025
Friday 20 February 2026	10.30am - 12.30pm	Wednesday 11 February 2026
Monday 18 May 2026	2pm - 4pm	Thursday 7 May 2026

The Group reports to UEB through its minutes, submitted to the next UEB meeting.

The Group provides assurance to UEB,  Audit and Risk Committee and onwards to University Council:

• Annually: via 
• internal Annual Reports;
• sight of the Prevent, Protect and Prepare Risk Registers and Action Plans (more frequently if major changes are involved); 
• the annual OfS Prevent accountability and data return (for final approval by Council);
• Periodically: via reporting of any significant matters arising from the Prevent, Protect and Prepare Risk Assessment and Action Plans.

During 2025/26, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 Task and Finish Group will report into the CONTEST Oversight Group.