All staff at The Duston School receive (annual) Prevent training to help identify signs of radicalisation.

The NSPCC states ‘Children can be exposed to different views and receive information from various sources.  Some of these views may be considered radical or extreme.  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.’

NSPCC - Safeguarding Children - Radicalisation

The process of radicalisation may involve:

• Being groomed, either online or in person
• Exploitation, including sexual exploitation
• Psychological manipulation
• Exposure to violent material and other inappropriate information
• The risk of physical harm or death through extremist acts

Indicators of radicalisation:

Children at risk of radicalisation may

• have low self-esteem
• be victims of bullying and/or discrimination

Extremists target them, telling them they can be part of something special; gradually brainwashing them and isolating them away from family/friends.  Day-to-day behaviour can become increasingly centred around an extremist ideology, group or cause and the child/young person may

• spend increasing amounts of time talking to people with extremist views; online and in person
• change their appearance/style
• lost interest in friends and activities not associated with the extremist ideology, group or cause
• have material or symbols associated with an extreme cause
• try to recruit others to join the cause
• have a sudden disrespectful attitude towards others
• display increased levels of anger
• display increased levels of secrecy; particularly around their internet use.

 

Reporting

If you think a child/young person is involved in radicalisation and there is an immediate risk of harm – call 999.

If you are concerned but the child/young person is not in immediate risk of harm:

- call the police anti-terrorism hotline 0800 789 321

- call NSPCC (anonymously) 0808 800 5000