Prevent Referral​

What is Prevent?

Prevent is one of the four elements of CONTEST, which is the government's counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, provides practical help to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism and appropriate advice and support.

What is Channel?

Channel is a key part of the Prevent strategy. It uses existing links between local authorities, statutory partners, the police and local communities to:

  • identify individuals at risk of being drawn into terrorism
  • assess the nature and extent of that risk, and
  • develop the most appropriate support plan for the individuals concerned

Support may consist of help with family problems, mental health support, mentoring or anything else deemed to be suitable. Wherever possible, Channel will compliment any mechanisms or interventions already in place to safeguard the individual.

Prevent referral process

The Prevent pathway "notice - check - share" aims to Safeguard and Support, in particular to ensure vulnerable people who may be drawn into terrorism are safeguarded and offered appropriate advice and support.

Members of the public and front line staff can play a crucial role in recognising when a vulnerable person is being exploited or radicalised. Early identification is vital to enable the appropriate agencies to divert these individuals away from this radicalisation process.

General Public

If you are a member of the public and are concerned about someone, you should call the Act Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764 to share your concerns with a specially trained officer.

More details can be found at www.actearly.uk.

Alternatively, you can call the Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789 321.

More information on what to do if you have a concern is also available under ‘Get help for radicalisation concerns’ on GOV.UK.

Professional

If having discussed & checked these possible signs of radicalisation with a safeguarding lead, it is agreed these concerns could be valid, the frontline staff member and safeguarding lead or champion should share their concerns with Police via the National Prevent Referral Form​. Details of where to send the form are included. Artificial intelligence should not be used to complete prevent referrals or generate wording for the form). 

A referral should be made if there is concern that a person may be on a pathway that could lead to terrorism." https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-principles-of-prevent

Professionals can complete the Prevent duty training to find out more

Concerns regarding online material promoting terrorism or extremism can also be reported here - https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism

​Remember, in an emergency dial 999​​

Causes and signs of radicalisation

Many of the factors that put people at risk of radicalisation are the same as those that put people at risk of becoming involved in drug and alcohol misuse, child sexual exploitation and gangs. You may notice changes in a person's behaviour, appearance or speech - however, remember there may be other reasons for these changes.​​​

Exploiting Vulnerability

The following factors might contribute to a vulnerable person becoming radicalised:

  • The need for belonging
  • Bereavement
  • Looking for a cause or reward
  • Mental health
  • Isolation
  • A sense of injustice or grievance
  • Access to extremist material online
  • A desire for power, respect or status
  • Bullying
  • Drug or alcohol misuse

Changes in behaviour or appearance

Radicalisation may be accompanied by sudden or gradual changes to a person's behaviour or appearance. This may include some of the following:

  • Changes in mood, patterns of behaviour or being secretive
  • Possession of violent extremist literature or use of inappropriate language or speech
  • Expression of extremist views or sympathy with extremist causes
  • Seeking to engage or recruit others to support extremist ideologies, extreme groups, social media groups or marches
  • ​Preaching or attempting to impose their views on others
  • Isolating themselves from family and friends
  • Outbursts of anger
  • Change in language or use of words
  • Fixation on a new subject or person

Safeguarding

Those vulnerable to radicalisation must be safeguarded.

Whilst a single factor could be enough to cause someone to become radicalised or to support terrorism, being subjected to a combination of the recognised risk factors can often create the perfect conditions for radicalisation to occur.

There is no single profile of what an extremist might look like or what it is that might cause someone to become radicalised. Those involved in extremist activity can come from a range of backgrounds with different life experiences - the reasons for becoming radicalised will be unique to them and may take place over an extended period or happen within a very short time frame.

Further Information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Otc2eaRY32s
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/channel-and-prevent-multi-agency-panel-pmap-guidance
https://www.support-people-susceptible-to-radicalisation.service.gov.uk/
​​https://www.educateagainsthate.com/
https://www.support-people-susceptible-to-radicalisation.service.gov.uk/
​‘Get help for radicalisation concerns’ on GOV.UK​​​​