Radicalisation

Radicalisation

Radicalisation is a safeguarding concern. It can happen when a person is influenced to support terrorism or extremist ideas that may lead to harm. Anyone can be affected, and concerns should be responded to early, calmly and without judgement.

If you are worried about yourself, a family member, friend, neighbour or someone in your community, help is available. You do not need to be certain before asking for advice.

What to do if there is immediate danger

If someone is at immediate risk of harm, or you believe a crime is happening now, call 999.

If there is no immediate danger but you are worried about possible radicalisation, you can seek advice and support through the national and local routes below.

Local support in Warrington

For local Prevent information and referral routes, visit the Warrington Borough Council Prevent referral page. This includes information for the public, support for professionals, the national referral form and the Warrington Prevent Strategy. The page also confirms that if you are worried about someone, you can call the ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764 in confidence. 

Useful local link:
Warrington Borough Council: Prevent referral

For adult safeguarding concerns in Warrington, contact Adult Social Care First Response on 01925 443322. Outside office hours, call 01925 444400. If there is immediate harm or danger, call 999. 

National advice and support

The following trusted websites provide clear information and practical advice:

• GOV.UK: Get help for radicalisation concerns — explains how Prevent supports people who may be at risk of becoming involved in terrorism through radicalisation. It also includes information on what to do if you are worried about someone and what happens after a Prevent referral. 
• https://actearly.uk/  — advice and guidance if you are worried that someone may be vulnerable to radicalisation. GOV.UK and Police.uk both signpost people to ACT Early for advice before making a referral. 
• Police.uk: Prevent — explains the role of Prevent officers, how concerns can be shared in confidence, and includes the national police Prevent advice line: 0800 011 3764. 
• https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism — for reporting illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos found online. Warrington Borough Council’s Prevent page signposts to the GOV.UK reporting route for online material. 
• Prevent duty training — free government training for people who work with members of the public, including awareness, referrals and Channel/Prevent Multi-Agency Panel training. 

Information for parents, carers and families

If you are worried about a child or young person, the following websites may help:

• https://www.educateagainsthate.com/  — information and resources for parents, carers and education settings. The Warrington children’s radicalisation pages already signpost to Educate Against Hate for advice about warning signs and conversations with children.
• https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/dedicated-helplines/protecting-children-from-radicalisation/  — advice for parents and carers who are worried about radicalisation. Warrington’s children and young people pages also signpost to NSPCC resources.
• https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/worries-about-the-world/  — support for children and young people who are worried about world events or things they have seen online. Warrington’s child-facing page currently signposts to Childline. 

Information for professionals

Professionals should follow their organisation’s safeguarding procedures and local Prevent referral routes. Prevent should be considered as part of normal safeguarding practice where there are concerns that a person may be susceptible to radicalisation.

Useful professional links:

• GOV.UK: Prevent duty guidance for education settings — guidance for designated safeguarding leads and others with safeguarding responsibilities in education settings. 
• GOV.UK: Introduction to the Prevent duty — explains that the Prevent duty requires education providers to help prevent people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, and that concerns should be considered in line with existing safeguarding processes. 
• Pan Cheshire and Warrington procedures: Safeguarding Children and Young People Against Radicalisation and Violent Extremism — local procedure for safeguarding children and young people against radicalisation and violent extremism. 
• Warrington Safeguarding training: Prevent refresher awareness course — Warrington Safeguarding training page for the Prevent refresher awareness course, linking to Home Office Prevent training.