Prevent Lead and Channel Chair


Company:	Reading Borough Council
Salary:	£31,748 to £37,059 a year
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Reading, RG1 2LU
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 1 day remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	17 Sept 2026
Closing date:	11 Oct 2026

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Summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking an experienced and highly credible professional to take on the critical role of Prevent Lead and Channel Chair. This is a senior leadership post with responsibility for ensuring the Council meets its statutory duties under the Prevent framework and delivers an effective, ethical and proportionate Channel programme to safeguard individuals at risk of radicalisation.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

Working arrangements: hybrid

About the role

Working at a strategic level, you will lead multi-agency partners, chair the Channel Panel, and act as the Council’s principal expert and advisor on Prevent-related matters.

Key areas of responsibility include:

Provide strategic leadership for the delivery of the Prevent Duty and Channel Programme, ensuring compliance with statutory guidance and national policy

Chair Reading’s Channel Panel, overseeing case management, decision-making and the delivery of effective support plans for vulnerable individuals

Lead the development and annual review of Reading’s Prevent Risk Assessment, aligned with the Counter Terrorism Local Profile and Community Safety priorities

Act as the Council’s key point of contact with the Home Office, Counter Terrorism Policing and regional Prevent advisors

Brief the Chief Executive, elected Members and senior boards on Prevent risks, policy developments and Channel activity (using anonymised data)

Ensure robust governance, assurance and reporting arrangements are in place, including audit, inspection and self-assessment

Embed Prevent and Channel processes within local safeguarding arrangements for both adults and children

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading

Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively

Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential

Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

A wide range of flexible working opportunities

Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted

Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact andrew.withey@reading.gov.uK

Closing Date: Sunday 11th October 2026

Interview Date: Week Commencing 19th October

Interview Process: Competency based interview please add any other requirements

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Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.