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Prevent – Support for people at risk of radicalisation

Information, resources, and local guidance on referrals for Prevent within the East Riding of Yorkshire.

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What is Prevent?

Prevent is a safety net against radicalisation. It aims to intervene early, to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent is delivered at a local level by experts who understand the risks in their communities. Partners include local authorities, police, education, health, probation services, the Department for Work and Pensions and Voluntary and Community groups.

For people who are susceptible to radicalisation, prevent can provide personalised interventions to help them move away from dangerous ideologies.

The below animation film illustrates how public sectors under the Prevent duty work together to stop radicalisation. ‘Adam’ tells his story of how he started to become radicalised online. The animation then describes how frontline professionals in contact with Adam notice, check and share the signs of radicalisation, referring Adam to Prevent to then receive support through the Channel programme.

Prevent duty animation - public sector staff working together to stop radicalisation - YouTube [Click here if you would like more information on the Goverment's Prevent Duty Guidance (external website)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance)

What are some of the signs to look out for?

What is radicalisation?

Radicalisation can happen when a person develops extreme views or beliefs that support terrorist groups or activities.

There are many ways that a person could become radicalised, and people can become exposed to radicalising influences in-person, or online.

A person’s susceptibility to radicalisation may be linked to their vulnerability. A person can be vulnerable if they need special care, support or protection because of age, disability, risk of abuse, or neglect.

Signs and vulnerabilities

There is no single route to radicalisation, however, there are certain behaviours you can watch out for that we often see when someone is being led down the path of extremism. These signs and vulnerabilities are not listed in any order of importance. Some of these behaviours and vulnerabilities can make a person more at risk of being exploited. Identifying them doesn't necessarily mean someone is being radicalised. There can be other explanations behind the behaviours you are seeing. If you are worried, then it is important to reach out for help to discuss your concerns.

  • Being influence or controlled by a group
  • Need for identify, meaning and belonging
  • An obsessive or angry desire for change or ‘something to be done’
  • Spending an increasing amount of time online and sharing extreme view on social media
  • Personal crisis
  • Looking to blame others
  • Desire for status of a need to dominate.

What could make a child or young person susceptible to radicalisation?

There are many reasons that can make a young person vulnerable to exploitation by extremists. This includes having a low self-esteem or a lack of belonging, or if they have been the victim of bullying or discrimination, which has left them feeling isolated.

Radicalisation can take place online, or face to face by someone they know including friends and family, or by contact with extremist groups. Sometimes curiosity can lead children, teenagers, and younger adults to seek out the groups themselves, or research information they feel supports their views.

Some of the key signs to watch for are:

  • Are they becoming increasingly isolated from family and friends
  • Do you feel like they are talking as if from a script?
  • Are they unwilling to engage with you about their views?
  • Are they becoming intolerant of other people’s views?
  • Are they becoming increasingly angry about issues or events they feel are unfair or unjust?
  • Are they being secretive about who they are meeting online or in person?

In most cases these signs won’t be linked to radicalisation and there will be other explanations for a person’s behaviour. If safe to do so, talk to them to find out what could be causing them to react in this way. Don’t ignore behaviours you are concerned about.

How do I make a referral?

The East Riding operates a dual referral pathway which means that completed referrals come into Counter Terrorism Policing North East and East Riding of Yorkshire Council. While the Police are duty bound to assess the Prevent referral the Local Authority can check the referral to identify any early support needs are required and the Local Authority can work with Police to support the assessment process and ensure the best outcome for the individual.

You can access the Prevent referral form for the East Riding below:

Prevent referral form for the East Riding (word 00kb)

Once completed the form should then be sent to both:

Email 1: preventsouth@ctpne.police.uk

Email 2: prevent@eastriding.gov.uk

If your worry relates to a child (a person Under 18 years of age) please also email the referral to:

Email 3: safeguardingchildrenshub@eastriding.gov.uk

Prevent seeks to intervene early, to stop people susceptible to radicalisation becoming involved in terrorist activity. Where someone is concerned a person may be susceptible to radicalisation it is right that they refer them to the necessary authorities. A Prevent referral does not amount to an accusation of criminality. Rather, it allows for a multi-agency assessment to be conducted and support to be provided to help divert people from engaging in harmful activity. Through this referral, the person will be able to receive the vital support they need.

All referrals to Prevent are carefully assessed based on the specific details of the case. If a person is found to not be at risk of radicalisation, the case is immediately closed to Prevent. They may be referred to other appropriate services, or no further action may be taken.

Anyone can make a Prevent referral, professional, family member or member of the public. It is highly important that when making a referral you try to provide as much detail as possible to support the assessment process.

The below resource provides a best practice guide to those completing Prevent referrals.

Prevent - Referrals best practice

When dealing with an individual who you suspect may be susceptible to radicalisation there is a proven 3-step safeguarding procedure for assessing and handling concerns in relation to radicalisation - ‘Notice, Check & Share’.

NOTICE the change in behaviour, use of language or other Prevent related concerns.

CHECK your concern with the individual (if safe to do so) or other responsible person, if appropriate, to gather more context and/or your line manager and if needed.

SHARE your concerns with us by following your organisations Prevent referral process - remembering to submit as much detail as possible taking note of the prompts on the referral form to allow us to make an accurate assessment.

You can also call the National ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764, in confidence, to share your concerns with specially trained officers.

For further advice and support locally for Prevent referrals please contact prevent@eastriding.gov.uk.

What is Channel Panel?

Channel is a multi-agency approach to identify and provide support to individuals who are susceptible to radicalisation. It focuses on all forms of extremism and adopts an early intervention and prevention approach.

Channel uses existing collaboration between local authorities, statutory partners (e.g. Adult and Children’s Services, Education, Health, Department for Work and Pensions, Police and the Probation) Service to:

  • identify individuals at risk of being drawn into terrorism
  • assess the nature and extent of that risk
  • develop a tailored support plan for the individuals concerned.

Channel is a voluntary process and individuals referred will need to give their consent before any support can be put in place.

Across the East Riding, Channel has been embedded into our existing Adults and Children’s safeguarding policies and procedures and is delivered in line with the principles of Working Together to Safeguard Children, the Care Act 2014 and Making Safeguarding Personal.

The Home Office has issued the Channel Duty Guidance for partners on Channel requirements:

GOV.UK - Channel and Prevent Multi-Agency Panel (PMAP) guidance (external website)

Training, resources and contact

The Home Office offer free Prevent training on their website via three eLearning packages:

Prevent awareness

Website: elearning.prevent.homeoffice.gov.uk

This offers an introduction to the Prevent duty and explains how it aims to safeguard vulnerable people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.

Prevent referrals  

Website: elearning.prevent.homeoffice.gov.uk/preventreferrals

This training is designed to make sure that when a concern is shared about a vulnerable individual that may be being radicalised that the referral is robust, informed and with good intention.

Channel Awareness  

Website: elearning.prevent.homeoffice.gov.uk/channelawareness

This offers an introduction to the Channel process outlining the objectives of the Channel programme, the working process, roles and responsibilities and sharing key learning and best practice.

Act Early

The Act Early website offers a range of information and resources to professionals, community groups and families on how to identify the signs and support people who are susceptible to radicalisation.

Educate Against Hate

For additional information for parents, professionals and others on Prevent and Internet Safety can be found through the Educate Against Hate website. The purpose of this website is to provide practical advice, support, and resources to protect children from extremism and radicalisation.

Printed Prevent posters

If you would like Printed Prevent posters in A3 and A4 for your setting, or any further information, advice or resources please email prevent@eastriding.gov.uk.

Prevent posters
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