Radicalisation, Prevent and Channel
Home Office accessible version here: Notice, check, share (accessible) - GOV.UK
What is Radicalisation?
Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support, legitimise or become involved in terrorism.
Radicalisation can affect children, young people and adults from any background, culture, faith, ethnicity or community. There is no single pathway into radicalisation, and every situation will be different.
Protecting people from radicalisation is a safeguarding responsibility. Concerns about radicalisation should be considered alongside other safeguarding concerns, including exploitation, abuse, neglect, vulnerability, criminal exploitation and online harms.
What is Prevent?
Prevent is part of the Government's counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST.
The aim of Prevent is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent works through early intervention and safeguarding approaches to support people who may be susceptible to radicalisation. [gov.uk], [gov.uk]
Prevent addresses all forms of terrorism.
Further information is available in the Government's Prevent Duty Guidance:
Notice, Check, Share
The Home Office's Notice, Check, Share guidance provides a framework for professionals responding to concerns about radicalisation. It is intended for professionals working in sectors subject to the Prevent Duty, including education, health, social care and local authorities.
Notice
Frontline professionals are often the first to notice behaviours that may indicate somebody could be vulnerable to radicalisation.
Examples may include:
- expressing support for violence to achieve political, religious, racial or ideological goals;
- supporting, glorifying or justifying terrorism;
- accessing or sharing violent extremist material;
- showing interest in violent extremist groups or causes;
- adopting increasingly extreme "us versus them" narratives;
- fascination with extreme violence or mass casualty attacks.
These behaviours alone do not necessarily indicate radicalisation. Context and professional judgement are essential.
Check
Where concerns exist, practitioners should seek to understand the context before deciding on next steps.
This may include:
- consulting safeguarding leads or managers;
- reviewing available information;
- speaking with colleagues who know the individual;
- considering whether other safeguarding or welfare concerns may better explain the behaviour;
- where appropriate and safe, speaking with the individual concerned.
Important
Ideology remains an important consideration, but a clearly identifiable ideology is not required before a Prevent referral can be considered.
Share
Where concerns remain that a person may be vulnerable to radicalisation into terrorism, concerns should be shared through appropriate safeguarding and Prevent referral processes.
If there is an immediate threat to life or serious risk to public safety, call 999.
Read the full guidance:
Vulnerability to Radicalisation
There is no single profile of a person who may become vulnerable to radicalisation.
Factors that may contribute to vulnerability include:
- social isolation or exclusion;
- exposure to extremist content online or offline;
- desire for belonging, identity or status;
- experiences of grievance or injustice;
- family, peer or community influences;
- other safeguarding vulnerabilities or exploitation concerns.
Having one or more of these factors does not mean that a person will become radicalised.
Possible Indicators of Radicalisation
Possible indicators may include:
- expressing extremist or terrorist-supporting views;
- supporting violence against individuals or groups;
- sharing extremist content online;
- justifying terrorist attacks;
- increasing interest in violent extremist organisations;
- admiration for individuals involved in terrorism;
- fascination with violence, terrorism or mass casualty attacks.
Indicators should always be considered alongside context and other available information.
What Should I Do If I Am Concerned?
If you are concerned that somebody may be vulnerable to radicalisation into terrorism:
- Follow your organisation's safeguarding procedures.
- Discuss concerns with your safeguarding lead or manager.
- Consider the Notice, Check, Share approach.
- Seek advice if you are unsure whether Prevent is appropriate.
- Make a referral where concerns relate to possible radicalisation into terrorism.
National Police Prevent Advice Line
Telephone: 0800 011 3764 [gov.uk]
Further Guidance
National Prevent Referral Form
Channel
Channel is a voluntary, confidential, multi-agency programme that provides support for people who are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.
Channel aims to:
- identify vulnerability to radicalisation;
- assess the nature and extent of risk;
- develop appropriate support plans;
- reduce the risk of a person becoming involved in terrorism. [gov.uk]
Further information about Prevent referrals and Channel is available here:
Training
The Home Office provides Prevent Duty training for professionals working in sectors covered by the Prevent Duty. The training includes awareness of radicalisation, understanding Prevent, making referrals and understanding Channel. [gov.uk], [support-pe...ice.gov.uk]
Training Information
Access the Training Portal
Further Information and Resources
Prevent Duty Guidance
Notice, Check, Share Guidance
Help for Radicalisation Concerns
ACT Early
ACT Early provides information and support for people who are concerned that a friend, family member or someone they know may be vulnerable to radicalisation.
Reporting Terrorist or Extremist Material Online
Proscribed Terrorist Organisations