Extremism and Radicalisation

Children and young people can be drawn into violence or they can be exposed to the messages of extremist groups by many means. It is important that as foster carers you are able to recognise and support a child or young person who may be subjected to extremism and radicalisation.

This duty is known as the Prevent duty. It applies to a wide range of public-facing bodies. The specified authorities are those judged to have a role in protecting vulnerable children, young people and adults and/or the national security.

The Channel Programme is about ensuring that vulnerable children and adults of any faith, ethnicity or background receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by those that would want them to embrace terrorism, and before they become involved in criminal terrorist related activity

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. This can put a young person at risk of being drawn into criminal activity and has the potential to cause significant harm. 

There is no obvious profile of a person likely to become involved in extremism. The process of radicalisation is different for every individual and can take place over an extended period or within a very short time frame.

Radicalisation is the process by which people come to support terrorism and violent extremism and, in some cases, take part in terrorist groups and activities.

The risk of radicalisation is the product of a number of factors and identifying this risk requires you to exercise professional judgement, seeking further advice as necessary. Other indicators may include:

• Use of inappropriate language;
• Possession of violent extremist literature;
• Behavioural changes; increasingly centred around an extremist ideology;
• The expression of extremist views;
• Advocating violent actions and means;
• Association with known extremists;
• Seeking to recruit others to an extremist ideology;
• A change of style of dress or personal appearance to accord with the group;
• Loss of interest in other friends and activities not associated with the extremist ideology.

The above list is not exhaustive and there may be other indicators that the child or young person is at risk of violent extremism and radicalisation.

If you are concerned about a child in any way you must report these concerns to your Supervising Social Worker and the child’s social worker or the Out of Hours support if it is urgent. It will be their responsibility to take the concerns forward through the appropriate channels.

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.

See: Internet, Photographs and Mobile Phones.

Consideration should also be given to the need for an emergency response - this will be extremely rare but examples are where there is information that a violent act is imminent or where weapons or other materials may be in the possession of a young person or member of his or her family. In this situation you should call 999.

Good multi-disciplinary support should be in place to support you and the young person from all agencies to avoid criminalising the child but also to help you manage a very stressful and difficult situation.