Hartismere School

Children can be exposed to different views and receive information from various sources. Some of these views may be considered radical or extreme.

Radicalisation is the process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.

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. 

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, 2015, places a duty on specified authorities, including local authorities and childcare, education and other children’s services providers, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism “the Prevent duty"

The Prevent duty aims to safeguard people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

The Prevent duty 

The process of radicalisation may involve: 

• being groomed online or in person 
• exploitation, including sexual exploitation
• psychological manipulation
• exposure to violent material and other inappropriate information
• the risk of physical harm or death through extremist acts.

It happens gradually so children and young people who are affected may not realise what it is that they are being drawn into. 

Indicators of radicalisation

If a child or young person is being radicalised their day-to-day behaviour may become increasingly centred around an extremist ideology, group or cause. For example, they may: 

• spend increasing amounts of time talking to people with extreme views (this includes online and offline communication)
• change their style of dress or personal appearance
• lose interest in friends and activities that are not associated with the extremist ideology, group or cause
• have material or symbols associated with an extreme cause
• try to recruit others to join the cause

(Home Office, 2020).

If you are concerned about someone who you feel has been or is being radicalised please contact the safeguarding team or you can call police anti-terrorism hotline on 0800 789 321

Useful links

NSPCC - Radicalisation is a safeguarding concern, but organisations can help protect children and young people. Find out more about what it is, why it happens and what organisations can do.

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/ 

Suffolk Prevent Team -  Prevent@suffolk.pnn.police.uk 

Crime Stoppers -  on 0800 555 111