Recording, confidentiality and information sharing

Records relating to Prevent should be factual, proportionate and respectful. Note what prompted concern and what action you took, avoiding judgement or labels when the information is uncertain.

Write facts, not labels

Entries such as "patient radicalised" are rarely appropriate for a reception record and can be unfair or misleading. Record exact words or behaviour instead: "Patient said, 'I need to do something violent before they do it to us,' during call about anxiety. Duty clinician informed at 14:10."

If the concern came from someone else, record who reported it and the substance of their report. State whether the information was directly observed, third-party reported, or supplied via an online request.

Record

• Exact words, behaviour or report received, using quotation marks where possible.
• Who raised the concern and their relationship to the patient where relevant.
• When and how the concern was received, such as phone, desk, online request or letter.
• Any immediate threat or safety action, including emergency escalation if used.
• Who was informed, what route was used, and who accepted ownership.
• Any confidentiality or safe-contact issue that affects how the practice should respond.

Need-to-know sharing

Do not discuss Prevent-related information casually. Share only the detail necessary for safeguarding action and only with staff involved in the response. If you are unsure where to record something or who needs to know, ask the safeguarding lead, duty clinician or manager.

Confidentiality

Good records make safeguarding action possible without turning concern into gossip or stigma.