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Preventing radicalisation

We have a duty to be aware of the risks of radicalisation of our young people from all extemist ideologies and to take action where we suspect there is a risk of harm

With increasing concerns about radicalisation of young people there is a need to actively challenge extremist views and prevent young people being drawn into terrorism. Keeping children safe from harm includes keeping them safe from extreme ideologies and behaviours.

Schools must have an awareness of the potential influences of extremist ideology and the risks of radicalisation. This means knowing your pupil group well and the dynamics of peer groups, their families and the local community (considering also contextual safeguarding). Schools can do much to promote positive discussion and adoption of fundamental values of tolerance, respect, liberty and the rule of law. Where there are concerns for individuals or groups, schools can seek advice on how best to intervene with reference to Prevent and Channel guidance. These processes provide structured opportunities for agencies to identify those at risk, share information, and where necessary intervene and review the risk over time.

Definition

Prevent is part of our overall counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. In the Act this has simply been expressed as the need to “prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.

Channel focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. The programme uses a multi-agency approach to protect vulnerable people by (a) identifying individuals at risk; (b) assessing the nature and extent of that risk; and (c) developing the most appropriate support plan for the individuals concerned

– HM Government 2015

Quotation marks

The Prevent strategy has three specific strategic objectives:

  • respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it
  • prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support
  • work with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation that we need to address

Terrorist groups often draw on extremist ideology, some people who join terrorist groups have previously been members of extremist organisations and have been radicalised by them.

The Government has defined extremism in the Prevent strategy as: “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy,the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs”.

Prevent work is intended to deal with all kinds of terrorist threats to the UK. The most significant of these threats is currently from terrorist organisations in Syria and Iraq, and Al Qa’ida associated groups. But terrorists associated with the extreme right also pose a continued threat to our safety and security, with particular concern about far right ideology.

 

schools must...

  • ensure staff receive WRAP/PREVENT training to enable them to recognise children vulnerable to radicalisation;
  • ensure that there is reference to radicalisation as part of wider safeguarding duties
  • assess the risk to individual children as well as cohorts within school
  • report concerns were necessary
  • build resilience to radicalisation through promotion of British Values
  • evidence safeguarding arrangements to promote pupils’ welfare and prevent radicalisation and extremism

vulnerability to radicalisation

Certain children are more vulnerable to radicalisation, including those who are:

  • struggling with a sense of identity.
  • becoming distanced from their cultural or religious background.
  • questioning their place in society.
  • having family issues.
  • experiencing a traumatic event.
  • experiencing racism or discrimination.
  • having difficulty in interacting socially and lacking empathy.
  • not always understanding the consequences of their actions.
  • presenting with low self-esteem.

spot the signs & know what to do

You should have greater concern where young people are…

  • being overly secretive about their online viewing.
  • expressing an ‘us and them’ mentality – a sign of the sense of social isolation.
  • becoming more argumentative or domineering in their viewpoints.
  • being quick to condemn those who disagree and ignoring views that contradict their own.
  • questioning their faith or identity.
  • downloading or promotion extremist content.
  • socially isolated or have acquired a high number of new friends.
  • altered their appearance – change in style of dress or appearance.

If someone is exhibiting one, or more, of these signs, it still doesn’t necessarily mean that they are being radicalised. Be calm, open, and non-confrontational so that you encourage them to share their ideas and opinions with you.

Concerns should then be addressed through your school’s reporting protocol, this may be your DSL or specified Prevent Coordinator who will inform the local Prevent team. The Prevent team will follow a process of screening, and assessment; if the person is felt to be at risk of radicalisation a multi-agency panel discussion will take place and appropriate intervention agreed; once this is in place there will be review meetings to decide if further support or action is needed.

Channel

You may be asked to be part of a Channel meeting. This is a multi-agency meeting that aims to identify whether an individual is at risk of being drawn into terrorism along with the nature and extent of that risk.  The meeting will then develop a support plan for the individual which is reviewed regularly. Channel aims to protect and divert young people from the risks they face through early multi-agency intervention and may be appropriate for pupils who are vulnerable to being drawn into any form of terrorism.

Channel is about ensuring that vulnerable children and adults of any faith, ethnicity or background receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by those that would want them to embrace terrorism, and before they become involved in criminal terrorist related activity. Support provided could include mentoring, diversionary activities such as sport or signposting to mainstream services such as education, employment or housing. Support is always tailored to specific needs.

Resources

  • Educate against hate

    This website gives teachers, parents and school leaders practical advice and information on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.

    Open link

  • Protecting children from radicalisation: the prevent duty

    Guidance for schools and childcare providers on preventing children and young people from being drawn into terrorism.

    Open link

  • Prevent duty guidance

    Prevent duty guidance for Scotland and England and Wales.

    Open link

  • Channel guidance

    Channel is part of the Prevent strategy. The process is a multi-agency approach to identify and provide support to individuals who are at risk of being drawn into terrorism.

    Open link

  • Video resources

    Video library of short videos providing more information about Prevent along with case studies.

    Open link

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