Children's Commissioner Expresses Concern Over Prevent Referrals

Why it matters locally: While the Prevent program is a UK initiative, the Children's Commissioner's concerns about the suitability of referrals and the need for appropriate support for children could resonate with Ohio's child protection agencies and mental health services, prompting reflection on how similar issues are addressed domestically.

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Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner, expressed concerns regarding the suitability of children referred to the government's Prevent counter-terrorism program. She stated that a growing number of these children require help that the program does not provide. De Souza indicated that many children referred to Prevent are not appropriate candidates for the program. She clarified that these individuals instead need different types of support.