Violent Extremism and Radicalisation
The NSCP has produced information on the procedures for identifying and dealing with the growing threat to children and young people vulnerable to violent extremism and radicalisation.
Communities and local authorities have a key role to play in helping to develop a sense of belonging.
The threat is not just from radical religious groups such as ‘Islamic State’ but also from radical ‘far right’ and other political groups who may attempt to radicalise children and young people.
Below you will find a number of guidance documents and resources to help you protect children and young people from Violent Extremism and Radicalisation.
Revised Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales
The Counter terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on all agencies (listed below) to in their duties have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.
Bodies specified in Duty:
- Local Authorities
- Schools and registered childcare providers
- Health Sector
- Prisons and Probation
- The Police
Working in Partnership
Prevent work depends on effective partnership. To demonstrate effective compliance with the duty, specified authorities must demonstrate partnerships with local Prevent co-ordinators, the police, local authorities, and co-ordination through existing multi agency forums, for example Community Safety Partnerships.
Capabilities
- Frontline staff who engage with the public should understand what radicalisation means and why people may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism as a consequence of it. The need to be aware of what we mean by the term “extremism” and the relationship between extremism and terrorism.
- Staff need to know what measures are available to prevent people from becoming drawn into terrorism and how to challenge the extremist ideology that can be associated with it.
- All specified authorities subject to the duty will need to ensure they provide appropriate training for staff involved in the implementation of this duty.
What should i do if i have a concern?
If you have concerns that a child or young person may be vulnerable to violent extremism or radicalisation you should seek advice from the person within your organisation who has responsibility for safeguarding and follow your own agency procedures in relation to notification of safeguarding issues. If you feel that there is an immediate danger to the life of the individual or others then call 999.
Advice and guidance can be sought from the Prevent Engagement Officers at Northamptonshire Police (email prevent@northants.pnn.police.uk or phone 101 then ext 341166), however they will only take referrals from the MASH so you must ensure that following discussions a multi-agency referral form is submitted.
You can also report suspected online terrorist content by following 'Report online terrorist material' and refer any content of concern directly to social media platforms details of how to do this can be found at UK Safer Internet Centre website
Training
Further information about extremism and radicalisation for practitioners:
The government has launched the 'Educate Against Hate' website giving parents, teachers and school leaders practical advice on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.
Last updated: 11 January 2024