Extremism and Radicalisation

Children and young people can be drawn into violence or they can be exposed to messages and views from individuals or groups that can be considered radical or extreme.

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. It includes calls for the death of members of the British armed forces (HM Government, 2011)

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.

It is important that as foster carers you are able to recognise and support a child or young person who may be drawn to extremism and radicalisation as part of your overall safeguarding responsibilities

Some organisations have a duty to identify vulnerable people and prevent them from being drawn into terrorism.  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.

Channel is a programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.

The programme uses a multi-agency approach to protect vulnerable people by:

• Identifying individuals at risk;
• Assessing the nature and extent of that risk;
• Developing the most appropriate support plan for the individuals concerned.

It 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.

Children and young people may be influenced by 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 drawn to 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. It may involve

• Being groomed online or in person;
• Criminal or sexual exploitation;
• Psychological or emotional manipulation;
• Exposure to violent or extremist material;
• Risk of harm through extremist acts.

Any child could be radicalised, but some may be more vulnerable:

• Being easily influenced or impressionable;
• Having low self-esteem or being isolated;
• Feeling that rejection, discrimination or injustice is taking place in society;
• Experiencing community tension between groups;
• Feeling disrespectful or angry towards family, carers or peers;
• Having a strong need for acceptance or belonging;
• Experiencing grief such as the loss of a loved on.

These factors will not always lead to radicalisation, but mean that looked after children may be particularly vulnerable.

Indicators that children are being drawn to extremism or radicalised may include:

• Use of inappropriate language;
• Possession of violent extremist literature;
• Behavioural changes; increasingly centred around an extremist ideology and rejection of people or activities not associated with the extremist ideology, group or cause;
• The expression of extremist views;
• Advocating violent actions and means;
• Spending increasing amounts of time talking with people with extreme views (including online communication) and/or 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 won’t wait. They will take the concerns forward through the appropriate channels. You can also contact the police counter-terrorism hotline on 0800 789 321 or report suspicious activity to the counter-terrorism police online.

If there is an imminent risk of harm and an emergency response is required (for example 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) you should call 999.

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.  Carers should make children aware of how social media searches and algorithms have an impact on polarisation of the online content they see.

See: Internet, Photographs and Mobile Phones.

Good multi-disciplinary support should be in place to support you and the young person. to avoid criminalising the child, provide positive support, disrupt harmful activity by others and to also to help you manage a very stressful and difficult situation.  You should discuss with your supervising social worker if you need specific training.