1

Statement of Intent

This policy sets out the practice and procedure to manage guest speakers and external events in line with the Counter Terrorism and Security Bill 2015.

1.1An external speaker or visitor is used to describe any individual or organisation not a student or staff member of North Tyneside Employment & Skills Service. This includes any individual who is a student or staff member from another organisation. It also includes the main contact from any external venue hire customer who is paying to use Council facilities.

An event is any event, presentation, visit, activity or initiative organised by a student group/society, individual or staff member that is being held on the  premises being used by Employment & Skills to deliver training or services or where Employment & Skills  is being represented by a stand on alternative premises e.g. at an exhibition, school event or fair.  It also includes events where external speakers are streamed live into an event or a pre-recorded film is shown. It also includes activity being held on the premises but organised by external venue hire customers.

 

2

Scope

2.1The benefits of hosting external events is positively encouraged within Employment & Skills. However, the safety and security of all staff and learners is paramount and therefore a rigorous approach will be taken to hosting any event within the service to maintain safety at all times.

 

3

Legislation

3.1This Policy complements the Services’ approach to the Equality Act 2010, the Terrorism Act 2000, and the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill 2015, Martyn’s Law

 

4

Responsibilities

 The Senior Manager and Business Manager has responsibility for the implementation of the Policy.

The DSL is responsible for referring safeguarding or Prevent concerns through the correct channels.

 

5

Actions to Implement Policy

5.1Not all external speakers or facilitators utilised by the service will be DBS checked. Checks may be made with the support of the Prevent Co Ordinator for event speakers where appropriate.  Where an external speaker or facilitator is present with a group of students/learners then a current member of staff must stay in the room/area of the activity to oversee it and ensure appropriate safeguarding of the students/learners concerned. Any violation of this requirement will be dealt with under the staff Disciplinary Procedure.
5.2The member of staff supporting the session must ensure that the speaker does not use the session to:

  • Incite hatred, violence or call for leaners to break the law.
  • Encourage, glorify or promote any acts of terrorism including individuals, groups or organisations that support such acts.
  • They must not spread hatred and intolerance in the community and thus aid in disrupting social and community harmony.
  • Within a framework of positive debate and not insult other faiths or beliefs.
  • Raise or gather funds for any external organisation or cause without expression permission of the Senior Manager for the service.

If any of the above events occur then a concern should be raised as a safeguarding concern through the services’ DSL in the usual way.

5.3The individual or group organising an external speaker should conduct brief research into the proposed speaker.  If in doubt as to the suitability of a speaker, they should refer the decision to the DSL and Senior Manager for doubt could be but are not restricted to the following:

  • Any person or group on/or linked to the UK Government list of proscribed terror organisations https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proscribed-terror-groups-ororganisations. Support may be sought from the Regional Prevent Coordinator.
  • Talks by organisations generally considered to be extremist
  • A speaker who is known to have spoken previously at another institution on a topic that has caused fear or intimidation of students or staff
  • A speaker accepted in mainstream as being highly controversial
  • A link or links to any person or group that has been connected with any controversy of a negative or positive nature
  • A speaker who has significant profile and attracts a following that could create crowd control and health and safety issues
  • A speaker from a political party during an election purdah.
5.4Employment & Skills management reserves the right to cancel or prohibit any event on its premises.
5.5Events organised by the service such as Job Fairs will be managed by the Business Development Officer:

  • Any invited guests will be vetted in the usual way.
  • All guests must wear identification badges and sign in at the start of their activity.

Prior booking of guests will be managed by a booking form which outlines the correct safeguarding and Prevent procedures for the event e.g. no learner or participant will be left alone with a guest.

5.6A range of collaboration tools may be used to support learning, these tools must be used in conjunction with the E-Safety and Live Online Session policy. Only collaboration tools supported by the Service must be used during sessions with learners. If during any virtual platform abusive be it racist/ or offensive  language is used consider reporting the matter to the police/seek advice from the regional Prevent Coordinator through your DSL

 

6

Martyn’s Law

6.1The Employment & Skills Service recognises its responsibilities under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, and the statutory guidance published in April 2026 indicating an implementation period of at least 24 months before legal duties come into force.

Martyn’s Law introduces a tiered Protect Duty for publicly accessible premises and events. Whilst it is expected that Employment & Skills Service venues (e.g., classrooms, community centres, libraries, training suites) will generally not be in scope of the identified thresholds, the Service will continue to monitor venue capacities and event formats in line with the below identified statutory thresholds.

  • Standard Tier: Premises or events where it is reasonable to expect 200–799 people at one time. Requirements include notifying the regulator (SIA), having basic public protection procedures (e.g., evacuation/lockdown), and ensuring staff awareness.
  • Enhanced Tier: Premises or events with 800+ people expected at one time. Additional duties include proportionate security measures and a documented security plan.

Until the Act comes into force, there is no legal requirement to comply, but the Service will adopt a proportionate preparedness approach aligned with Home Office statutory guidance (2026) to ensure staff and learners are aware of protective security principles.

In line with this guidance, the Service will:

  • Review all events and external speaker bookings to identify whether any meet the Standard or Enhanced Tier
  • Ensure that all staff involved in public-facing events complete basic awareness training on protective security and emergency response.
  • Maintain and periodically review emergency procedures (evacuation, invacuation/lockdown, communication).

Liaise with the Local Authority’s corporate security and emergency planning teams to ensure alignment with wider organisational duties.

 

7

Monitoring & Evaluation

 The Service will update this policy again once commencement regulations are issued in relation to Martyn’s law and the statutory duties become legally enforceable.

Concerns in relation to radicalisation on E&S premises will be monitored, raised and dealt with as part of the Safeguarding Procedure via the DSL