Radicalisation and Violent Extremism

The current threat from international terrorism in the United Kingdom is substantial and can often involve the exploitation of vulnerable people. This threat incorporates the threat posed by individuals and groups intent on exploiting those vulnerable to radicalisation, encouraging them to commit terrorist acts. 

This guidance is designed to provide a clear framework for professionals with which to respond to safeguarding concerns for those children and young people who may be vulnerable to the messages of extremism. In addition, it provides details of the local inter-agency process and expectations in identifying appropriate interventions based on the North East Lincolnshire Child Concern/Threshold of Need and Intervention model, and the Channel process. (See Thresholds of Need Guidance).

Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with 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, cultures and beliefs. In our definition of extremism, we also include calls for the death of members of our armed forces, whether in this country or overseas" (HM Government Prevent Strategy 2011.)

All developments are intended to ensure that no-one is treated in any way less favourably on the grounds of race, colour, nationality or ethnic or social origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, age, religion/belief or political/other personal beliefs.

CONTEST is the Government’s counter terrorist strategy, its aim being to reduce the risk to the UK and its interests overseas from terrorism.

PREVENT is a key part of the CONTEST strategy, its aim being to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Early intervention is at the heart of “Prevent” in diverting people away from being drawn into terrorist activity. “Prevent” happens before any criminal activity takes place. It is about recognising, supporting and protecting people who might be susceptible to radicalisation. The Prevent Strategy objectives focus on the following core areas:

• Tackle the causes of radicalisation and respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism;
• Safeguard and support those most at risk of radicalisation through early intervention, identifying them and offering support;
• Enable those who have already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate.

CHANNEL is a key element of the “Prevent” strategy. Channel identifies individuals at risk, assesses the nature and extent of that risk and develops the most appropriate support plan for the individuals concerned. Channel provides early support for anyone who is vulnerable to being drawn into any form of terrorism or supporting terrorist organisations, regardless of age, faith, ethnicity or background. Individuals can receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by those who want them to embrace terrorism, and before they become involved in criminal terrorist-related activity. Channel uses existing collaboration between local authorities, statutory partners (such as the education and health sectors, social services, children’s and youth services and offender management services), the police and the local community. 

Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships, local authorities and their partners should be commissioning and providing services for children who are likely to suffer, or may have suffered significant harm, due to radicalisation and extremism.

From 1 July 2015 all schools and child care providers must have regard to the statutory guidance issued under section 29 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. Schools and childcare providers, 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. 

Within North East Lincolnshire, there is a Prevent Multi-Agency Partnership board that is responsible for coordinating work on this agenda. 

In addition, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (the CT and S Act) sections 36 to 41 set out the duty on local authorities and partners to establish and cooperate with a local Channel programme of 'Channel Panels' to provide support for people, children and adults, 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 has been established in North East Lincolnshire and consists of a referral process, a procedure for responding to identified risk and need, and a route for providing appropriate support. The Channel process is closely aligned to the NEL Safeguarding Children Partnership. 

A Channel pre-meet takes place a week before the Channel Panel in order to notify the chair of new referrals and to review progress of ongoing cases. When a referral is made the Counter-Terrorism Case Officer (CTCO) will conduct an initial assessment of the referral, if identified as suitable for Channel an information request form is sent to relevant partner agencies, who are required to submit details of any involvement they have with the individual. The Channel process has a case tracking and review register, whereby closed cases are reviewed at six and twelve month intervals in line with statutory review requirements. 

For more detail see: Channel: Protecting Vulnerable People from being drawn into terrorism, A guide for local partnerships. See also Channel Guidance Summary (Safer NEL website).

Since Channel is designed to support and prevent young people and adults most vulnerable to being radicalised or involved in extremism, Channel referrals should therefore be a priority for the local authority and other statutory partners in all their work to safeguard vulnerable individuals. Channel should be considered alongside early intervention measures such as work undertaken to support and divert young people from anti-social behaviour, gangs, alcohol/substance misuse and diversion from offending.

Both an awareness of Prevent and an understanding of its aims are vital to the effective management of risk to vulnerable people of getting involved with terrorism and/or extremism. Professionals can help to identify, and to refer to the relevant agencies, children whose behaviour suggests that they are at risk of or being drawn into terrorism or extremism. Schools can help to protect children from extremism and extremist views in the same ways that they help to safeguard children from drugs, gang violence, bullying or alcohol, and the work schools undertake on the Prevent agenda needs to be seen in this context. The purpose must be to protect children from harm and to ensure that they are taught in a way that is consistent with the law and our values.

All organisations should have an awareness of the Prevent strategy and the various forms radicalisation takes in order to be able to recognise the signs and indicators and respond appropriately. Workshops to Raise the Awareness of Prevent (WRAP) training is being delivered across a range of organisations in North East Lincolnshire (for details email safer.communities@nelincs.gov.uk). 

PRINCIPLES

A child is defined in the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. For the purpose of this guidance, reference to child or children includes all children and young people up to the age of 18.

Children can be drawn into violence or exposed to the messages of extremism by many means. These can include the influence of family members or friends, 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, placing the child at risk of being drawn into criminal activity and the potential to cause Significant Harm. Circumstances can make some children more vulnerable to being drawn into groups or being influenced by individuals who advocate violence as a means to a political or ideological end. Examples of groups that have used violence to achieve their aims include animal rights, the far right, internal and international terrorist organisations and some fundamentalist faith groups.

Most individuals do not become involved in extremism but a range of factors can increase and influence those behaviours that are defined as extremism. It is important to consider these factors in order to develop an understanding and recognise the risk factors alongside those factors that build resilience and protect individuals from extremist activity.

Many factors that increase a young person’s likelihood of becoming radicalised are from the same as those seen in mainstream safeguarding and include: 

• Family tensions;
• Sense of or experience of social isolation;
• Migration and distance from cultural heritage;
• Experience of racism or discrimination;
• Feeling of failure;
• Being excluded from social and peer networks etc.;
• Those in the process of being radicalised or drawn into extremist behaviour may be Involved with a new group of friends;
• Be searching for answers to questions about identity, faith and belonging;
• Be searching for a sense of belonging;
• Possess extremist literature or advocate violent actions;
• Change their behaviour and language;
• Seek to recruit others to an extremist ideology.

It is important to note that children experiencing these situations or exhibiting such behaviours are not necessarily showing signs of being radicalised and could be signs indicative of alcohol or drug misuse, family breakdown, domestic abuse, bullying etc. or something more minor such as peer conflict. Caution should therefore be exercised when assessing these factors to avoid wrongly labelling or stigmatising individuals. Professionals who have contact with vulnerable individuals must therefore be able to recognise those vulnerabilities and help promote young people making safe choices. 

Some children may be at greater risk due to living with or being in close contact with known extremists or adults with extreme views. Such children may be identified by the police or through Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) processes, allegations against professionals, police enquiries or via Safeguarding Investigations and Child Protection Conference systems. 

NB - The following lists are not exhaustive and vulnerable children experiencing these factors are not automatically at risk of exploitation for the purposes of extremism. The complex relationships between circumstances and aspects of an individual’s identity may however combine to increase vulnerability to extremism. Over-simplified assessments, e.g. based upon demographics and poverty indicators, tend to increase victimisation, fail to identify vulnerabilities and, in some cases, increase the potential for extremists to exploit, operate and recruit.

There is no such thing as a ‘typical extremist’ and those involved in extremism come from a range of backgrounds and experiences. The following indicators have been provided to support professionals in NEL to understand and identify factors that may suggest an individual is more vulnerable to extremism.

VULNERABILITY

The following factors may increase an individual’s vulnerability:

• Identity Crisis - being alienated from cultural and or religious heritage and uncomfortable with their place in society, their community or their family;
• Personal Crisis - family tensions; isolation; adolescence; low self-esteem; disassociating from existing friendship group; becoming involved with a new groups or friends; questioning faith or belonging;
• Personal Circumstances - migration; community tension; events in country of origin; rejecting UK values; grievances triggered by experience of racism or discrimination;
• Unmet Aspirations - perceptions of injustice; feelings of failure; rejection of civic life; lack of life chances;
• Criminality - experiences of imprisonment; poor resettlement/reintegration, involvement with criminal groups.

ACCESS TO EXTREMISM / EXTREMIST INFLUENCES

The following sets of questions are helpful in assessing an individual’s vulnerability factors:

• Is there reason to believe that the child/young person associates with known extremists - either through direct association with known individuals or by frequenting key locations? (e.g. in a relationship with someone linked with extremist activity)?
• Does the child/young person access internet sites link to extremist activity? (e.g. Closed network groups, extremist material, contact associates; or does the young person covertly contact risky individuals via Skype/email etc);
• Is it believed that the child/young person has been to or contacted extremist/military training camps/ locations?
• Is the child/young person known to have possessed or sought out extremist literature or other media likely to incite racial/ religious hatred or acts of violence?
• Does the child/young person express sympathy or support for illegal/illicit groups?
• Is the young person involved with propaganda distribution, fundraising, attendance at meetings?

EXPERIENCES, BEHAVIOURS AND INFLUENCES

• Has the child/ young person encountered peer, social, family or faith group rejection?
• Is there evidence of extremist ideological, political or religious influence on the child from within or outside the UK?
• Have international events in areas of conflict and civil unrest impacted on the child/young person resulting in a noticeable change in behaviour? NB we must differentiate between acceptable emotional responses or verbal sympathy being articulated and genuine support for extremist activity.
• Are there noticeable changes in behaviour or appearance indicative of political or religious influence?
• Has the child/young person come into conflict with family over religious beliefs/lifestyle/ dress choices?
• Does the child/young person express support for terrorist attacks; either verbally or in written work?
• Has the child/young person witnessed, perpetrated or been victim of racial or religious hate crime?

 TRAVEL

• Is there a pattern of regular or extended travel indicative of links with extremist training or activity?
• Has the child/young person travelled for extended periods outside the UK to locations linked to extremism?
• Has the young person used any ploys to disguise their true identity?
• Has the child/young person used documents or cover to support this e.g. passports, social network ID?

SOCIAL FACTORS

• Does the child/young person have experience of poverty, disadvantage, discrimination, social exclusion?
• Does the child/young person experience a lack of meaningful employment appropriate to their skills?
• Does the young person lack affinity or empathy for others, or is isolated from peer groups?
• Does the young person demonstrate identity conflict or confusion normally associated with youth development?
• Does the child/young person have any learning difficulties/mental health support needs?
• Does the child/young person demonstrate simplistic, skewed or flawed understanding of religion or politics?
• Does the child/young person have a history of crime, including episodes in prison?
• Is the child/young person a foreign national, refugee or awaiting a decision on their immigration/ national status?
• Does the child/young person have insecure, chaotic, conflicted, displaced or absent family relationships?
• Has the young person experienced trauma in their lives, particularly associated with war or sectarian conflict?
• Does a significant adult, friend, role model or other have extremist view or sympathies? 

Do be aware of any negative influences online and offline.

Do keep an eye out for any changes big or small that are taking place with increasing intensity.

Do have that conversation with the person you're worried about, even when it’s hard to know where to start or what to say.

Do trust your instincts and if you're worried seek help and advice.

Do speak to other people you trust – like schools or community leaders about your concerns.

Do act early and make a Prevent referral, so together we can support the person you care about move away from extremism.

Don’t keep your worries to yourself. You’re not alone – together with our partners we’re here to help.

Don’t think you can’t make a difference – you can by acting early and sharing your concerns.

Don’t leave things, if you’re concerned seek help.

Don’t be afraid to contact us in confidence and tell us your concerns. You won’t be wasting our time and you won’t ruin lives. But you could save them.

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).

If you’re worried about someone, call the ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764, in confidence, to share your concerns with our specially trained officers.

This support line is available every day 9:00am – 5:00pm. Calls outside of these hours will be transferred to specialist Counter Terrorism officers.

If you are a member of public sector staff such as a teacher, GP, police officer or social worker we would encourage you to continue to use your designated safeguarding route to make referrals to Prevent or seek further advice. The advice line is designed for members of the public to use, especially friends and family, or those who work with vulnerable or young people in volunteering roles.

If you’re deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, a police non-emergency number is available as a text phone service on 18001 101.

Remember in an emergency, please make sure you’re safe and dial 999.

If you’re worried about someone, call the ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764, in confidence, to share your concerns with our specially trained officers.

This support line is available every day 9:00am – 5:00pm. Calls outside of these hours will be transferred to specialist Counter Terrorism officers.

If you are a member of public sector staff such as a teacher, GP, police officer or social worker we would encourage you to continue to use your designated safeguarding route to make referrals to Prevent or seek further advice. The advice line is designed for members of the public to use, especially friends and family, or those who work with vulnerable or young people in volunteering roles.

If you’re deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, a police non-emergency number is available as a text phone service on 18001 101.

Remember in an emergency, please make sure you’re safe and dial 999.

Legislation, Statutory Guidance and Government Non-Statutory Guidance

Prevent Strategy

Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales

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

Guidance: Protecting Children from Radicalisation: the Prevent Duty for Schools and Childcare Providers

The Prevent Duty: Safeguarding Learners Vulnerable to Radicalisation

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: an introduction for those with safeguarding responsibilities - GOV.UK

Good Practice Guidance

ADCS resources Radicalisation and Extremism

Useful Websites

Educate Against Hate

Act Early for Signs of Radicalisation - What to Look For