Safeguarding Children from Radicalisation and Extremism

Radicalisation is defined as the process of a person subscribing to extremist ideology by which they come to support terrorism or use terrorist violence.  The majority of people who commit terrorism offences do so of their own agency and dedication to an ideological cause. Radicalisation is a personal and individual process, which will look different from person to person. When talking about the ‘risk of radicalisation’, it is therefore challenging to describe exactly what it looks like. Various signs or indicators may signal a person is at risk of being radicalised into terrorism. See also Section 3, Indicators.

Terrorism; the Terrorism Act 2006 defines ‘terrorism’ as an action or threat designed to influence the government or intimidate the public. Its purpose is to advance a political, religious or ideological cause.

In summary, terrorism is an action that:

• Endangers or causes serious violence to a person or people;
• Causes serious damage to property, or seriously interferes with or disrupts an electronic system;
• Is designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public.

Extremism is the vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. The government definition of extremism also includes the call for the death of members of the armed forces, whether in the UK or overseas. Settings should not only be alert to violent extremism but also non-violent extremism, including certain divisive or intolerant narratives which can reasonably be linked to terrorism.

Some individuals may appear to be at risk or susceptible to radicalisation into terrorism without showing a clear ideology. Individuals increasingly adopt a mix of ideas from different ideologies into their grievance narratives.

This could include individuals who:

• Show an interest in multiple extremist ideologies at the same time;
• Switch from one ideology to another over time;
• Target a ‘perceived other’ of some kind (perhaps based on gender or another protected characteristic), but do not otherwise identify with one particular terrorist ideology or cause - for example, involuntary celibates (incels) who direct their anger mainly at women;
• Are obsessed with massacre, or extreme or mass violence, without specifically targeting a particular group - for example, high school shootings;
• Show an interest in conspiracy theories which can act as gateway to radicalised thinking, common themes include:
  • Religious or ethnic superiority;
  • Antisemitism;
  • Misogyny;
  • Anti-establishment and anti-LGBT grievances.
• May be susceptible to being drawn into terrorism out of a sense of duty, or a desire for belonging, rather than out of any strongly held beliefs.

Since the publication of the Prevent Strategy, there has been an increased awareness of the specific need to safeguard children and young people from radicalisation and extremist ideology. Keeping children safe from these risks is a safeguarding matter and should, in the first instance, be approached in the same way as any other safeguarding concern.

Children and young people can be drawn into violence or they can be exposed to the messages of extremist groups by many means. These can include through the influence of family members or friends and/or direct contact with extremist groups and organisations or through online content in particular via social media that can normalise radical views or promote violent extremism.

The Government Channel Guidance assesses vulnerability using a framework to guide decisions about whether someone needs support to address their risks of supporting terrorism or committing terrorist acts as a consequence of radicalisation and the kind of support that they need. It is built around three dimensions:

• Engagement with a group, cause or ideology;
• Intent to cause harm; and
• Capability to cause harm.

Radicalisation is a process rather than an event. There is no single profile or pathway by which a person can be drawn into violence or exposed to extremist messages. It can take place over a long period, or it can be very quick.

Individuals who are vulnerable to grooming for sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation or county lines, may also be vulnerable to radicalisation. Factors could include things like being a victim or witness of crime, abuse or bullying, or having personal or emotional difficulties.

Adverse childhood experiences, combined with specific influences from family and peers or online connections, may make someone more susceptible to radicalisation.

Extremist influences could include, but are not limited to:

• Family members having direct contact or involvement with extremist or terrorist groups;
• Staff members of an education or community setting promoting an extremist ideology;
• Peers promoting an extremist ideology or sharing extremist material;
• Access or exposure to online extremist material via social media or the internet - for example, propaganda including pictures, videos, blogs and fake news;
• Exposure to extremist, terrorist or other violent activity in overseas settings;
• Access or exposure to extremist leaflets, magazines or stickering;
• Exposure to extremist groups hosting marches, protests or stalls.

With regard to issues that may make a child or young person vulnerable to radicalisation, these can include:

• Influence to support an ideology from other people or via the internet;
• Bullying;
• Being a victim or perpetrator of crime;
• Anti-social behaviour;
• Family tensions;
• Hate crime;
• Lack of self-esteem or identity;
• Personal or political grievances.

However those closest to the child or young person 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;
• Spending an increased amount of time online;
• Possession of violent extremist literature;
• The expression of extremist views;
• Planning to take long term holidays and visits out of the UK;
• Advocating violent actions and means;
• Association with known extremists;
• Seeking to recruit others to an extremist ideology.

The above list is not exhaustive and there may be other indicators that the child or young person is at risk of violent extremism and radicalisation.

Note: There is an obvious difference between espousing radical and extreme views and acting on them. Holding radical or extreme views is not illegal; what is illegal is the act of committing an offence or inciting others to do so in the name of that belief or view.

A common feature of radicalisation is that the individual often does not recognise the exploitative nature of what is happening and does not see themselves as a victim.

If staff or carers identify any concerns as a result of observed behaviour or reports of conversations to suggest the child supports terrorism and/or violent extremism, they must report these concerns to the Registered Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), the Supervising Social Worker or the Out of Hours support. The child's social worker and placing authority of the child involved must be informed of the concern as soon as possible. It will be their responsibility to take the concerns forward. They should exercise their professional judgment about whether a referral should be made to seek support under Prevent and act proportionately as they do for all other safeguarding risks. If there is a concern about potential radicalisation or a reason to believe that someone is at risk of becoming involved in terrorism or supporting it, a Prevent referral should be made to police, who will assess whether the person is suitable to be considered by a Channel panel for support. Community Foster Care and foster carer/s should work with the multi-disciplinary team to safeguard the child or young person.

If someone is at immediate risk of harm due to radicalisation or violent extremism, or if there is information that a terrorist act is being committed or planned, alert the police using 999.

Also see: Get Help for Radicalisation Concerns – Guidance.

See also: Safeguarding Children and Young People Procedure and Missing Children Procedure.

Social media can be used to promote extremist ideas and radicalise young people. Often social media glorifies violence. Staff should be vigilant and seek advice from a manager if they are concerned about material a young person has accessed online. Click here to report suspected online terrorist content.

Content of concern can also be referred directly to social media platforms – see UK Safer Internet Centre. Foster carers should be vigilant and also refer to the fostering Agency's Internet, Photographs and Mobile Phones Procedure. They should also be aware of concerning extremist literature that the child or young person may have in their possession.

Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales

Channel Duty Guidance: Protection vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism

Educate Against Hate

Guidance - Prevent Duty Self-assessment Tool: Further Education - self-assessment tool to assist colleges and providers in the further education and skills (FE) sector in England to review their Prevent responsibilities

The Prevent Duty: Safeguarding Learners from Radicalisation

Get Help for Radicalisation Concerns

Safeguarding Advice for Schools and Childcare Providers – Radicalisation

Report Online Material Promoting Terrorism or Extremism

Prevent duty training – Learn how to support people susceptible to radicalisation

Working Together to Safeguard Children

Useful Websites

Act Early for Signs of Radicalisation - What to Look For - website offers advice and guidance, including signs of radicalisation to look out for, case studies and information on how to share those concerns

Educate Against Hate - learning materials and resources for schools and further education providers on how to challenge radical views