1.4.44 Safeguarding Children and Young people against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism
BACKGROUND
From 1 July 2015, all schools and child care providers must have regard for the Prevent duty statutory guidance issued under section 29 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. Paragraphs 57-76 of the guidance are concerned specifically with schools and childcare providers[1]. Registered early years childcare providers and registered later years childcare providers are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, in the exercise of their functions, to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism".
This duty is known as the Prevent duty. It applies to a wide range of public-facing bodies which are listed in schedule 6 of the Act as specified authorities in England and Wales, and Scotland. The specified authorities are those judged to have a role in protecting vulnerable children, young people and adults and/or national security. It covers schools, colleges, universities, health, local authorities, police, and prisons.
The Prevent strategy, published by the Government in 2011, is part of an overall counter-terrorism strategy called CONTEST. The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by preventing people becoming radicalised or supporting terrorism.
In addition, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 sets out a duty on local authorities and partners to establish and cooperate with a local programme of 'Channel panels' to provide tailored support for people, children and adults who are identified as vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It is essential that Channel panel members, partners to local panels and other professionals ensure that children, young people and adults are protected from harm.
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 activity.
[1] Including early years and later years childcare provision in schools that is exempt from registration under the Childcare Act 2006 and those registered under Chapter 2 or 2A of Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006, including childminders. Also those registered under Chapter 3 or 3A of Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006, including childminders.
AMENDMENT
This chapter was refreshed in December 2023 and links to additional guidance were added into Further Information.1. Definition
Radicalisation is defined as the process by which people come to support terrorism and extremism and, in some cases, go on to participate in terrorist groups.
"Extremism is 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. We also include in our definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas" (HM Government Prevent Strategy 2011).
Following publication of the Prevent Strategy, there has been an increased awareness of the specific need to safeguard children, young people and families from violent extremism. Across the UK there have been attempts to radicalise vulnerable children and young people to develop extreme views including views justifying political, religious, sexist or racist violence, or to steer them into a rigid and narrow ideology that is intolerant of diversity and leaves them vulnerable to future radicalisation.
Keeping children safe from these risks is a safeguarding matter and should be approached in the same way as safeguarding children from other risks. Children need to be protected from messages of all violent extremism including, but not restricted to, those linked to Islamist ideology, or to Far Right / Neo Nazi / White Supremacist ideology, various paramilitary groups, and extremist Animal Rights movements.
2. Understanding and Recognising Risks and Vulnerabilities
Children and young people can be drawn into violence or they can be exposed to the messages of extremist groups by a number of means. These can include through the influence of family members or friends and/or direct contact with extremist groups and organisations. On-line content in particular social media may pose a specific risk in normalising radical views and promoting content that is shocking and extreme; children can be trusting and may not necessarily appreciate bias.
Increasingly the internet and social media are being used to share extremism ideologies and views This may take the form of a "grooming" process where the vulnerabilities of a young person are exploited to form an exclusive friendship which draws the young person away from other influences that might challenge the radical ideology.
Exposure to extremist groups increases the risk of a young person being drawn into criminal activity and has the potential to cause significant harm.
The risk of radicalisation can develop over time and may relate to a number of factors in the child's life. Identifying the risks require practitioners to exercise their professional judgement and to seek further advice as necessary. The risk may be combined with other vulnerabilities or may be the only risk identified.
In October 2015, Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division, issued specific guidance for Family Courts in relation to radicalisation cases. The guidance is clear that where there is evidence that a child is planning on travelling to Syria (either on their own or as part of a family unit) or where children are at risk of being radicalised or involved in terrorist activities in this Country, the Police can, in appropriate cases, begin proceedings using their inherent jurisdiction, such as applying for Ward of Court, obtaining an injunction to prevent travel or obtaining a passport order.
The following issues can make individual children and young people vulnerable to radicalisation:
- Identity Crisis - Distance from cultural / religious heritage and feeling uncomfortable with their place in the society around them;
- Personal Crisis - Family tensions; sense of isolation; adolescence; low self-esteem; disassociating from existing friendship group and becoming involved with a new and different group of friends; searching for answers to questions about identity, faith and belonging;
- Personal Circumstances - Migration; local community tensions; events affecting country or region of origin; alienation from UK values; having a sense of grievance that is triggered by personal experience of racism or discrimination or aspects of Government policy;
- Unmet aspirations - Perceptions of injustice; feeling of failure; rejection of community values;
- Criminality - Experiences of imprisonment; previous involvement with criminal groups.
3. Spotting the Signs
Those closest to the individual may first notice the following changes of behaviour:
- General changes of mood, patterns of behaviour, secrecy;
- Changes of friends and mode of dress;
- Use of inappropriate language;
- Possession of violent extremist literature;
- The expression of extremist views;
- Advocating violent actions and means;
- Association with known extremists;
- Seeking to recruit others to an extremist ideology.
There is an obvious difference between espousing radical and extreme views and acting on them, and practitioners should ensure that assessments place behaviour in the family and social context of the young person and include information about the young person's peer group and conduct and behaviour at school. Holding radical or extreme views is not illegal, but inciting a person to commit an act in the name of any belief is in itself an offence.
4. Protection and Action to be Taken
Any practitioner identifying concerns about the child or young person should report them to the designated safeguarding lead in their organisation, who will discuss these concerns with the police. The Referrals Procedure should be followed. Any practitioner who believes a crime is being committed or planned, or is aware of any terrorist activity, should contact the police immediately.
Consideration of referrals to the Channel programme may be appropriate in some cases. Any response should be proportionate, with the emphasis on supporting vulnerable children and young people, unless there is evidence of more active involvement in extremist activities.
A referral to Channel can come from anyone who is concerned about a person they know who may be at risk, whether a family member, friend, colleague or concerned professional (through their normal safeguarding process).
Channel panels assess the extent to which identified individuals are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism and, where appropriate, arrange for support to be provided. When assessing Channel referrals, local authorities and their partners should consider how best to align these with assessments undertaken under the Children Act 1989. The Children Act 1989 promotes the view that all children and their parents should be considered as individuals and that family structures, culture, religion, ethnic origins and other characteristics should be respected. Local authorities should ensure they support and promote fundamental British values, of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs (Working Together to Safeguard Children).
Referrals are carefully assessed to see if they are suitable for Channel. For those cases where it is assessed there is a risk of radicalisation, a multi-agency Channel panel chaired by the local authority will meet to discuss the referral and decide on what tailored package of support can be offered to the individual (Factsheet: Prevent and Channel).
Consideration should be given to the possibility that sharing information with parents may increase the risk to the child and therefore may not always be appropriate. However, experience has shown that parents are often key in challenging radical views and extremist behaviour and should be included in interventions unless there are clear reasons why not.
Wherever possible the response should be appropriately and proportionately provided from within the normal range of universal provision, with additional support from other local agencies and partners as required. Responses could include curriculum provision, additional tutoring or mentoring, additional activities within and out of school and family support.
Where a higher level of targeted and multi-agency response is indicated, a formal multi-agency assessment should be conducted. The assessment may highlight the need for a Strategy discussion, Section 47 Enquiry and Initial Child Protection Conference, if there are concerns about the child or young person suffering significant harm.
Where there is a potential or identified risk that a child young person may be involved or potentially involved in supporting or following extremism, further investigation by the police will be required, prior to other assessments and interventions.
Local Information to Support Referrals
Calderdale Prevent Referral Form
5. Issues
Protecting children and young people from radicalisation and extremism requires careful assessment and collaborative working across agencies, especially as initial concerns may be inconclusive. Sharing information effectively and keeping the child and young person in focus should be the main aim of any interventions and services.
Reporting online material, which promotes extremism such as illegal or harmful pictures or videos, can be done through the government website, Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism (GOV.UK). Whilst professionals should follow the Referral procedure in this manual, non professionals can make a report anonymously.
6. Further Information
Legislation, Statutory Guidance and Government Non-Statutory Guidance
Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales (2015)Channel Duty Guidance: Protection vulnerable people from being draw into terrorism
The Prevent Duty: Safeguarding Learners Vulnerable to Radicalisation
Prevent Duty Self-Assessment Tool for Schools
Useful Websites
Educate Against Hate - practical advice parents, teachers and school leaders on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.
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