Introduction
Preventing radicalisation is a core safeguarding responsibility for all settings working with children and young people. Radicalisation is not about preventing free speech or healthy debate — it is about protecting individuals from being drawn into extremist ideologies that can lead to harm.
Keeping Children Safe in Education defines radicalisation as:
“The process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.”
Modern technology means that children and young people can be radicalised without direct contact with others, simply by accessing online content. This makes awareness, vigilance, and early intervention essential.
For our learners, understanding radicalisation helps you recognise risk, respond appropriately, and contribute to safer learning environments.
What Do We Mean by Radicalisation, Extremism and Terrorism?
Radicalisation
Radicalisation is a process, not a single event. It describes the journey someone goes through that results in them supporting extremist ideologies and, in some cases, terrorism. Importantly, people can radicalise themselves through online research and exposure to biased or extremist material.
This does not mean that holding strong opinions or engaging in debate is wrong. Democratic societies rely on open discussion. The concern arises when beliefs become extreme, intolerant, or linked to violence.
Terrorism
Terrorism is defined in UK law as the use or threat of action designed to influence the government or intimidate the public for political, religious, racial, or ideological purposes.
The key distinction is action or threat. Having an opinion is lawful; using violence or intimidation to advance it is terrorism.
Extremism
Extremism is defined as:
“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.”
Extremism does not always lead to terrorism, but it can normalise harmful attitudes, dehumanisation, and violence. Extremist ideologies can include religious extremism, far-right or far-left ideologies, misogynist movements, and other groups that oppose fundamental values.
The Prevent Duty and the CONTEST Strategy
The UK Government’s counter-terrorism strategy is known as CONTEST, which has four strands:
- Pursue – stopping terrorist attacks
- Protect – strengthening protection of public spaces
- Prepare – reducing the impact of attacks
- Prevent – stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism
The Prevent duty is the strand most relevant to education and safeguarding professionals.
Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act (2015), schools, colleges, and registered childcare providers must have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
Prevent is a safeguarding process, not a criminal one. Its purpose is early identification, support, and intervention.
What Settings Must Do Under the Prevent Duty
The Prevent Duty Guidance requires settings to:
- Undertake risk assessments, including for external speakers
- Work in partnership with local agencies and safeguarding partners
- Provide staff training so staff can identify risk and respond confidently
- Have effective IT policies, including filtering and monitoring
- Build resilience through the curriculum
- Promote fundamental British values
These responsibilities should be embedded into everyday safeguarding practice, not treated as a separate process.
Vulnerabilities: Who May Be at Greater Risk?
All children and young people are potentially vulnerable to radicalisation, but some may be at increased risk.
Vulnerabilities include children who:
- Struggle with identity or belonging
- Feel distanced from cultural or religious backgrounds
- Are questioning their place in society
- Are experiencing family difficulties
- Have experienced trauma
- Experience racism or discrimination
- Have low self-esteem or mental ill-health
- Have learning difficulties or disabilities
- Are socially isolated or excluded from school
These vulnerabilities mirror those seen in other forms of abuse. Radicalisation often involves grooming, manipulation, and power imbalance.
Signs and Indicators of Radicalisation
Radicalisation can be difficult to spot. Signs do not confirm radicalisation on their own, but patterns should always be explored.
Possible indicators include:
- Being overly secretive about online activity
- Sharing or downloading extremist content
- Expressing an “us and them” mentality
- Becoming more argumentative or domineering
- Being quick to condemn those who disagree
- Talk of revenge or an obsessive desire for change
- Questioning faith or identity alongside behavioural change
- Sudden unexplained changes in appearance
- Social isolation or a new peer group
These behaviours may also indicate other safeguarding concerns. The key is to notice, record, and explore.
What Should Staff and DSLs Do?
In situations like this, the appropriate response includes:
- Recording the concern and reporting it to the DSL/Prevent lead
- Reviewing online activity through IT systems
- Seeking advice from Children’s Social Care
- Contacting the local Prevent coordinator
- Considering a referral to the Channel programme
- Assessing risk to peers and providing appropriate support
- Reviewing staff training and IT monitoring systems
Early action is critical.
Channel: Support, Not Punishment
Channel is a voluntary, multi-agency support programme for individuals vulnerable to radicalisation. It is not about criminalisation or punishment.
Support may include:
- Mentoring
- Mental health support
- Diversionary activities
- Education or employment support
- Work with trained intervention providers
Research shows that early intervention is most effective.
What Can Professionals Do Every Day?
Preventing radicalisation is part of everyday safeguarding practice. Professionals should:
- Listen to the conversations of children and young people
- Promote critical thinking and balanced debate
- Support children and families
- Build resilience through spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
- Promote fundamental British values
- Raise concerns early with the DSL or Prevent lead
- Keep taking action until children are safe
Conclusion
Radicalisation can happen gradually, quietly, and often online. It can affect children from any background. Preventing radicalisation is not about silencing views — it is about safeguarding children from harm.
By staying vigilant, understanding vulnerabilities, recognising signs, and acting early, professionals can help ensure children and young people are supported, safe, and able to thrive.
Prevent is safeguarding — and safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.