Supporting the education sector to prepare for Martyn's Law

In February Capita Entrust hosted a webinar with Lisa Broad, independent consultant specialising in incident response for the education sector and Lawrence Royston founder of teamSOS an incident communication system. During the webinar Lisa discussed the upcoming legislation Martyn’s Law and how to prepare for this from an education perspective, an overview of the discussion is included in this blog. 

Introduction

In today's world, the safety and security of our educational institutions have become paramount.  With the imminent introduction of Martyn's Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, schools and colleges must prepare to meet new legislative requirements aimed at mitigating the impact of terrorist attacks. This blog post will guide you through the key aspects of Martyn's Law and how educational settings can effectively prepare for its implementation.

Understanding Martyn's Law

Martyn's Law is currently progressing through the House of Lords will require those within scope institutions to consider terrorism risk in a manner similar to health and safety risks. In its current form the legislation will mandate that schools and colleges (with a maximum capacity of over 200) put in place effective plans to mitigate the impact of an attack were one to occur.

Key requirements for schools and colleges

Under Martyn's Law, schools and colleges will need to:

1. Notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA): Schools must inform the SIA about their compliance with the new regulations.
2. Develop Procedures to Mitigate Terrorist Attacks: This includes creating and implementing evacuation, invacuation, and lockdown plans.
3. Communicate Responses Effectively: Schools must ensure that their staff and students are aware of and can execute these plans efficiently.

Why is this important?

While there may be no specific intelligence suggesting that terrorists would target schools, the broader implications of Martyn's Law extend beyond terrorism. The legislation will mean that schools must legally have robust plans in place to respond to violent incidents , thereby enhancing overall safety.

Preparing for legislation

To prepare in advance of Martyn's Law, schools should:

1. Review and Update Evacuation Plans: Consider worst-case scenarios, such as bomb threats or suspicious behaviour, and adjust plans accordingly.
2. Develop Lockdown Procedures: Create clear and context-specific lockdown plans that account for different threat levels and scenarios.
3. Ensure Effective Communication: Establish robust communication systems to alert and coordinate responses across the entire school site.

Scenarios to consider

Schools should prepare for three primary scenarios:

1. Threat Beyond the Perimeter: Secure the perimeter and bring everyone inside.
2. Threat on School Grounds: Focus on securing the building and moving people away from the threat.
3. Threat Inside the Building: Lock individual spaces and barricade doors if necessary.

Communication is key

Effective communication is crucial during any emergency.   Schools must ensure that they can quickly and clearly communicate threats and required responses to all staff and students. This includes having systems in place to alert the entire site and provide updates as the situation evolves.

Testing and drilling

Once plans are in place, ideally schools should test and refine them through staff workshops and scenario-based exercises. While it remains to be seen whether mandatory drills will be part under Martyn's Law, schools should consider the best approach for their specific context, including the involvement of students.  If students are involved in drills this should be handled sensitively for pupils and parents, being clear that this is about improved preparedness ahead of legislation rather than because of a specific threat.

Conclusion

Martyn's Law represents a significant step forward in enhancing the safety and security of our educational institutions. By proactively preparing and implementing robust emergency plans, schools can ensure they are ready to protect their communities in the face of potential threats. Remember, the goal is not to instil fear but to empower schools with the tools and knowledge needed to respond effectively to any emergency.

Next steps

For more information on preparing for Martyn’s Law and safeguarding your school community visit here: Martyn's Law: Incident Response and Lockdown in Schools or contact Lisa Broad directly at lisa@lisabroadconsulting.co.uk

A recording of the webinar can be viewed here – click here

To find out more on teamSOS – click here