Protecting Children from Extremism and Radicalisation
Childcare providers have a vital role to play in protecting children and young people from the risks of extremism and radicalisation. This role is underpinned by the Counter Terrorism and Security Act (2015) to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
The Prevent Strategy, published by the Government in 2011 is part of an overall counter terrorism strategy CONTEST. The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism activity.
This has raised a specific need to safeguard children, young people and families from violent extremism and terrorism. Nationally, there have been situations in which extremist groups have attempted to radicalise vulnerable children and young people to hold extreme views. Such views include justifying political, religious, sexist or racist violence, or to steer individuals into a rigid and narrow ideology that is either vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values including embracing diversity and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
Nelmes Pre-School is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who we work with. As a childcare provider we recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation is no different from safeguarding against any other vulnerability. All staff are expected to uphold and promote the fundamental principles of British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Nelmes Prre-School values freedom of speech and the expression of beliefs / ideology as fundamental rights underpinning our society’s values. Children, young people and all childcare workers have the right to speak freely and voice their opinions however, freedom comes with responsibility and free speech that is designed to manipulate the vulnerable or that leads to violence and/or harm of others goes against the moral principles in which freedom of speech is valued. Free speech is not an unqualified privilege; it is subject to laws and policies governing equality, human rights, community safety and community cohesion.
The current threat from terrorism in the United Kingdom may include the exploitation of vulnerable people, to involve them in terrorism or in activity in support of terrorism. The normalisation of extreme views may also make children and young people vulnerable to future manipulation and exploitation. Nelmes Pre-School is clear that this exploitation and radicalisation should be viewed as a safeguarding concern. We seek to protect children and young people against the messages of all violent extremism including, but not restricted to, those linked to Islamist ideology, Far Right, Neo Nazi or White Supremacist ideology, Irish Nationalist and Loyalist paramilitary groups or extremist Animal Rights movements.
Policy Statement links to the following policies:
• Safeguarding
• Equality and Discrimination Policy
• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Positive Behaviour
Policy Aims and Principles
To ensure all childcare staff are aware of the Prevent Strategy and are able to protect children and young people who are vulnerable or at risk of being radicalised by working alongside other professional bodies and agencies to ensure that individuals are safe from harm. The principle objectives are that:
• All staff working or volunteering within a childcare/out of school setting will:
. Have an understanding of what radicalisation and extremism are and
why we need to be vigilant in a childcare setting.
. Know what the childcare/out of school provider policy is on safeguarding from radicalisation and extremism and will follow the policy when issues arise.
• All parents will know that the childcare/out of school provider has policies in
place to keep children and young people safe from harm and that the childcare provider regularly reviews its systems to ensure they are appropriate and effective.
Definitions
• Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremism leading to terrorism (Appendix 1).
• Extremism is defined by Government in the prevent strategy 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. Also include in the definition of extremism calls for the death of members of our armed forces (Appendix 1).
• Terrorism is defined by Government as “The use of violence in order to accomplish political, religious or social objectives”. Terrorism is a criminal act that influences an audience beyond the immediate victim. Effectiveness is not the act itself but the impact on Government and the public. Procedures for referrals Keeping children and young people safe from these risks is a safeguarding matter and should be approached in the same way as safeguarding children from other risks.
Although serious incidents involving radicalisation have not occurred at Nelmes Pre-School, it is important for us to be vigilant and remain informed about the issues which affect risks to the provision. All staff are reminded to dispel belief that instances of radicalisation ‘could not happen here’.
When any member of staff has concerns that a child or young person may be at risk of radicalisation or involvement in terrorism, they should speak with Local Safeuarding Board. They will be responsible for contacting the Police Prevent Team who will assess whether the child or young person may be at risk of radicalization. The named person for Prevent at Nelmes Pre-School is Cheryl Kelly.
Risk reduction The childcare provider Management Team, Board of Governors and the Designated Safeguarding Lead will assess the level of risk within the childcare/out of school setting and put actions in place to reduce any identified risks. Children and young people are regularly taught about how to stay safe when using the internet and are encouraged to recognise that people are not always who they say they are online. They are taught to seek adult help if they are upset or concerned about anything they read or see on the internet.
Staff Training
Staff of Nelmes Pre-School will ensure that they have ‘due regard for the need to prevent children people from being drawn into terrorism’. They are aware of the threats, risks and vulnerabilities that are linked to radicalisation and they understand the signs that someone may be vulnerable to radicalisation.
Training may be undertaken via a briefing, e-learning or a face to face workshop to raise awareness of Prevent (WRAP) session.
Policy Review
This policy statement will be reviewed annually as part of the overall Child Protection and Safeguarding policy review.
