Safeguarding Children and Young People against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism

Radicalisation is defined as the process by which people come to support terrorism and extremism and, in some cases, to then 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).

Since the publication of the Prevent Strategy, there has been an awareness of the specific need to safeguard children, young people and families from violent extremism. 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 should 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, Irish Nationalist and Loyalist paramilitary groups, and extremist Animal Rights movements.

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, increasingly, through the internet via Social media or other websites. This can put a young person at risk of being drawn into criminal activity and has the potential to lead to the child or young person suffering significant harm.

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. 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.

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, which can lead to being drawn into such groups and to adopt their extremist views.

It is important that staff understand the potential indicators, or behaviours young people may present that demonstrate they are at risk to being radicalised. These can include:

Loss of Identity

Distance from cultural / religious heritage and uncomfortable with their place in the society around them;

Personal Circumstances/Past Experiences

Family tensions; sense of isolation; 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; 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; Perceptions of injustice; feeling of failure; rejection of community values;

Criminality

Experiences of imprisonment; previous involvement with criminal groups.

However 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;
• Unhealthy internet usage;
• 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.

It is important to note the difference between supporting or adopting radical and extreme views and acting on them. 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.

Protecting children and young people from radicalisation and extremism requires careful assessment and working collaboratively across agencies as initially concerns may be inconclusive and protecting child or young person against a potential risk can be dependent on a wider range of factors. Sharing information effectively and keeping the child and young person in focus should be the main aim of any interventions and services.

According to the Prevent Strategy (2011) “The internet has transformed the extent to which terrorist organisations and their sympathisers can radicalise people in this country and overseas. It enables a wider range of organisations and individuals to reach a much larger audience with a broader and more dynamic series of messages and narratives. It encourages interaction and facilitates recruitment. The way people use the internet also appears to be conducive to these processes. Despite the wealth of information available, people often talk to those whose views are similar to their own, encouraging group thinking and inhibiting external challenge".

In response to this, staff must work proactively with young people, helping them to not only understand how to keep themselves safe online, but also to enable them to develop positive, appropriate relationships, and what to do if they have any concerns or worries.

Staff at The Caldecott Foundation will be expected to complete the online Channel Awareness Module, developed by the College of Policing & Metropolitan Police Service in 2014. The module should support staff to consider factors that make young people vulnerable to radicalisation and also describe the Channel process. The registered manager is responsible for identifying if the home requires any additional training, in response to the individual needs of the young people.

At the point of referral, the registered manager of the home should consider whether radicalisation/extremism has been identified as a risk. If this is the case, further information about the young person’s history and how their behaviour has presented in the family and social context should be sought from the placing authority. Consideration should also be given to the location of the home, and whether the referral is a suitable match. The homes location risk assessment should be updated to reflect a decision to match and any further action required. The registered manager should also confirm agreement with the placing authority about what action to take if there are concerns a young person is being radicalised, which should be evidenced through Behaviour Support Documentation.

If staff have any concerns that a young person is being radicalised, they should inform their line manager/senior on duty and follow Safeguarding Children and Referring Safeguarding Concerns. Consideration should be given to the possibility that sharing information with parents may increase the risk to the child and therefore may not be appropriate. However, experience has shown that parents are key in challenging radical views and extremist behaviour and should be included in interventions unless there are clear reasons why not. This decision should be made by the placing authority and recorded.

Consideration should be given to the possibility that sharing information with parents may increase the risk to the child and therefore may not be appropriate. However, experience has shown that parents are key in challenging radical views and extremist behaviour and should be included in interventions unless there are clear reasons why not.

The assessment process may lead to a Strategy discussion, Section 47 Enquiry and an Initial Child Protection Conference, if there are concerns about the child or young person suffering significant harm.

Consideration of referrals to the Channel programme may be appropriate in some cases. 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. The Channel Referral Form should be completed and sent to channel@kent.pnn.police.uk. Where concerns are identified in respect of potential signs of radicalisation which indicate the child young person is vulnerable. The person raising the concerns should discuss their concerns with the Channel police lead who will decide if a referral to channel is required or if services at tier 2 are sufficient to manage concerns. The decision to make a referral to Channel should be made in consultation with the placing authority

The diagram below shows the process that the Chanel Panel will follow if a referral is made:

• Prevent Strategy, Secretary of State for the Home Department (2011)(GOV.UK);
• Channel Duty Guidance, Protecting vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism, Statutory guidance for Channel panel members and partners of local panels (GOV.UK);
• Revised Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales, Guidance for specified authorities in England and Wales on the duty in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism (GOV.UK);
• Tackling extremism in the UK: report by the Extremism Taskforce, Report from the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Tackling Radicalisation and Extremism (2013)(GOV.UK);
• Working Together to Safeguard Children, HM Government;
• Educate Against Hate.

See also LSCB Procedures.