Radicalisation and Extremism

“Safeguarding children and young people from radicalisation is no different from safeguarding them from other forms of harm” - The Prevent Strategy 2011

What is Prevent?

The threat we face from terrorism is real and the Prevent strategy recognises that we can’t arrest our way out of the problem. The Prevent strategy therefore aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

The focus of Prevent is on the significant threat posed by international terrorism and those in the UK who are inspired by it. But it is also concerned with reducing threats, risks and vulnerabilities posed by domestic extremists such as those from the far right and far left, extreme animal rights activists and those involved in Northern Irish related terrorism.

Prevent is supported by three objectives:

  • Responding to the ideological challenge of terrorism and the threat we face from those who promote it (ideology);
  • Preventing people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support (individuals); and
  • Working with sectors and institutions where there are risks of radicalisation which we need to address (institutions).

If you suspect it, report it.

The National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST)

The Government’s counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST), has four areas of work:

  • Pursue: to stop terrorist attacks;
  • Prevent: to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism;
  • Protect: to strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack; and
  • Prepare: to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack.
     

More information about CONTEST

Safeguarding Referrals: Channel and Prevent Case Management

One of the key requirements of the Prevent Duty is that staff know how to identify people at risk of radicalisation or extremism and the safeguarding pathways they should use. If you are concerned that an individual may be at risk of radicalisation, you should treat this as you would any other safeguarding issue; and escalate it using your normal, internal procedures, such as informing your safeguarding lead and/or LADO.

If a referral is then made to the Prevent team, and it is determined that there are concerns around radicalisation and violent extremism in relation to the referred individual, they can be supported through either Channel or Prevent Case Management processes.

Channel

Channel is an early intervention multi-agency panel designed to safeguard vulnerable individuals from being drawn into extremist or terrorist behaviour. Channel works in a similar way to existing multi-agency partnerships for vulnerable individuals. It is a voluntary process allowing the individual to withdraw from the programme at any time.

Extremism

If you concerned that a child, young person and/or their parents may hold extremist views or are at risk of being radicalised you have a duty to ensure that they receive support to protect them from being drawn into terrorism.

To get in touch with the Prevent Teams:

Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea
Telephone: 020 8753 5727
Shared inboxes: [email protected] and [email protected]  

Westminster
Telephone: 07817 054759
Email: [email protected]

Resources Handout [PDF] (file size 117.75 KB)
Vulnerability Handout 2015 [PDF] (file size 226.1 KB)

Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent:

WRAP is a free, 90-minute workshop designed to improve awareness of the Prevent strategy - the Government initiative which offers voluntary safeguarding support to vulnerable individuals at risk of radicalisation. Our training sessions explore topics including radicalisation, vulnerability, grooming, a discussion on how to spot the signs that indicate safeguarding support could be valuable, and how safely to refer an individual for tailored support. We also discuss the range of voluntary support options we are able to provide.

WRAP sessions are being delivered virtually through Microsoft Teams.

To sign up to attend a WRAP session or to arrange a bespoke session please contact [email protected] quoting you name and the date of the session you wish to attend.

For practitioners in Hammersmith and Fulham, and Kensington and Chelsea:

Upcoming workshops​​

  • Friday 13 January 2023 from 10 am to 12 noon
  • Friday  20 January 2023 from 10 am to 12 noon
  • Friday  3 February 2023 from 10 am to 12 noon
  • Friday 10 February 2023 from 10 am to 12 noon

For practitioners in Westminster:

Upcoming workshops:​​​​

  • Monday 5 February 2024, 10am to 11.30am, Held in PERSON, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria St, SW1E 6QP
  • Monday 4 March 2024, 10am to 11.30am, Held Via Teams
  • Monday 22 April 2024, 10:00-11:30am, Held Via Teams
  • Monday 13 May 2024, 10:00-11:30am, Held Via Teams
  • Monday 3 June 2024, 10:00-11:30am, Held Via Teams
  • Monday 1 July 2024, 10:00-11:30am, Held Via Teams
  • Monday 5 August 2024,  10:00-11:30am, Held Via Teams

Please email [email protected] to book a place. 

The Prevent team can also run bespoke sessions for teams, please email [email protected] to arrange a session.

Prevent and Education

All schools, colleges and childcare providers are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”. This duty, known as the Prevent duty, should be seen as part of schools’, colleges’ and childcare providers’ wider safeguarding obligations.

Prevent Education Officer

The Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea Prevent team, as well as the Westminster Prevent team, include Prevent Education Officers, who are at the disposal of all schools and colleges in their respective boroughs, free of charge.

In their efforts to comply with the statutory Prevent duty and meet Ofsted requirements, schools and colleges can utilise the Prevent Education Officers in any of the following ways:

Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent (WRAP) for staff

  • Available for teaching and support staff, senior leadership and governors
  • Available as introductory training (90 minutes) or refresher training (60 minutes)

Student sessions

  • Bespoke assemblies, talks and lessons on Prevent-related subjects such as extremism, radicalisation, online safety, critical thinking and fundamental British values

Parent/carer sessions

  • Sessions providing support for parents and carers, helping them better understand the risks of radicalisation and, in particular, how to keep their children safe online

Curriculum support

  • Signposting to classroom resources on Prevent-related subjects for use in PSHE and Citizenship, as well as help sourcing external speakers

General support

  • Advice and assistance relating to Prevent concerns and potential referrals*, safeguarding policies, Prevent risk assessments and action plans, and how to respond to terrorist incidents as a school or college

*Regarding Prevent concerns and potential referrals, settings may feel more comfortable seeking advice anonymously, which is fine.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch. Contact details for both Prevent teams above.

Worried about a child or young person?

If you want to report any abuse or discuss concerns in relation to children and young people please contact:

In an emergency call the police on 999.