Prevent Duty Oversight Group

The remit of the Group under the following core headings is:

(a) Strategic development, planning, performance monitoring and resourcing: items for consideration and/or decision

1. To maintain and to monitor the University's Prevent Risk Assessment and Action Plan, escalating any significant matters arising to the University Executive Board (UEB), Audit and Risk Committee and Council as necessary.
2. To review data indicators relating to the University's implementation of the Prevent Duty.
3. To review reports relating to any Prevent-related incidents at the University, including lessons learned.
4. To keep abreast of regional and national developments and requirements relating to the Prevent Duty including in relation to the wider CONTEST Strategy (including Protect requirements), and consider the implications for the University.

(b) Policy and regulatory matters

1. With reference to the OfS regulatory framework, to approve changes/additions to the University's policy framework relating to the Prevent Duty, liaising with other relevant committees/area leads as appropriate (for example, Student Life Committee in relation to safeguarding matters).  Minor changes to policy may be approved by Chair's action where appropriate.
2. To approve operational frameworks and processes relating to implementation of the Prevent Duty, including the University’s approach to Prevent training.
3. To review statutory external reports to the registered HE Prevent lead, prior to submission to UEB and Audit and Risk Committee for endorsement and onwards to Council for final approval.

Authority

The Prevent Duty Oversight Group has delegated authority from UEB for oversight and decision making in relation to implementation of the Prevent Duty 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 direct budgetary control.

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

• Adam Hewitt, University Secretary, Prevent Duty Accountability and Policy Lead (Chair)
• Dr Richard Harrison, Deputy University Secretary, Head of Prevent Duty Operations
• Professor Steve King, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Teaching, Learning and Students
• Professor TT Arvind, York Law School 
• Dev Agarwal, Head of Health and Safety Operations
• 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 (from 2 January 2025) 
• Rachael Millhouse, Director of Human Resources
• Anna Reader / 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, UoY Students' Union

In attendance

• Chris Sybenga, G7 Prevent Regional HE/FE Co-ordinator
• Dr Alice Wakely, Senior Governance & Assurance Officer (Secretary)

Quorum

50% of members, or 50% rounded up where the number of members is odd.

Membership review

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

Meeting frequency

A minimum of twice per year, with the facility to transact and record decisions by written resolution or, where necessary, Chair’s Action.

Meeting modes

Meetings are held via Zoom.

Meeting dates 2024-25 & 2025-26

Prevent Duty Oversight Group reports and provides assurance to the University Executive Board (UEB):

• Frequently through summaries of the minutes of each of its meeting to the next UEB meeting.
• Annually via 
  • an internal Annual Report on implementation of the Prevent Duty;
  • sight of the Prevent Risk Assessment and Action Plan (more frequently if major changes are involved); 
  • the annual statutory external report to the registered HE Prevent lead (for final approval by Council); 
• Periodically via escalation of any significant matters arising from the Prevent Risk Assessment and Action Plan.

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

• Annually via
  • the internal Annual Report on implementation of the Prevent Duty;
  • sight of the Prevent Risk Assessment and Action Plan (more frequently if major changes are involved); 
  • the annual statutory external report to the registered HE Prevent lead (for final approval by Council);
• Periodically via reporting of any significant matters arising from the Prevent Risk Assessment and Action Plan which have been escalated to UEB.