Improved compatibility in the updated Prevent National Referral Form

Sent on behalf of Prevent Local Delivery and Communities Team:

Further to the roll out of the updated national referral form (NRF) earlier this year, we have been made aware of some compatibility issues with the form. Please see attached for an updated version.

The attached October 2024 version has greater compatibility with a wider range of software. It is compatible with all versions of Adobe. Our designers have recommended that, for the optimal user experience, it is best to use Adobe Reader to complete the form, which is a free software. While the form works with all versions of Adobe Reader, it is recommended to always use the latest version. This is because software is often updated to fix bugs and improve security.

Some users had issues with the form allowing text to continue although not visible in the text boxes. This has now been corrected. Please note that in some software versions, there could still be issues if text is copied and pasted. We therefore advise people not to copy and paste into the form.

Unfortunately, we are still unable to provide a Microsoft Word version at this time due to compatibility and consistency issues. We are aware that some referrers have converted the PDF into a Microsoft Word document on their own systems. We strongly recommend that you do not do this as it may cause technical issues and information may not be visible to the receiver.

Local authorities and police should update the attached form to include the correct email address, according to their local process, and then distribute it as appropriate with their stakeholders and networks.

We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this update may cause and thank you for your understanding. The updated national referral form is a key part of how we assess referrals, manage risk and ensure we can offer support to people who may be at risk of radicalisation. All specified authorities should use the NRF when making referrals.