Extremism and Radicalisation Prevent Information for Governors 2015

What is the Prevent Strategy? Prevent is part of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy and aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent works at the pre-criminal stage by using early intervention to encourage individuals and communities to challenge extremist and terrorist ideology and behaviour. The Prevent Strategy makes clear the important role that schools have to play in achieving these aims. It is an extension of the same safeguarding processes which schools already employ in order to effectively safeguard children from drugs, gang violence, alcohol abuse, and other forms of harm and crime.

Background Nationally and regionally young people are being recruited into groups promoting hatred, discrimination and sometimes violence against those who are not part of their organisation. Recently, A 23-year-old man has been charged with inviting support for ISIL and other terrorism offences. Mohammed Mohsin Ameen, from east London, has been charged with six counts of directly or indirectly encouraging others to commit, prepare or instigate acts of terrorism. He is also charged with one count of "inviting support for a proscribed organisation". 700 British nationals are known to have travelled to Syria and Iraq.

Those who are more vulnerable to radicalisation could have a grievance, be already in the criminal justice system or have issues of self- esteem and identity for example. Some have been on the autistic spectrum. The internet is a powerful way to entice young people with images glorifying violence and promising excitement and a cause to fight for. Extremism can take many forms including promoting Jihad, far right ideologies, anti-Semitism, anti-Islamic views, anti-capitalist views etc.

East Midlands case Michael Piggin was arrested in Loughborough in 2013 age 17, for threatening lads in the street with a knife. When his home was searched police found a stack of weapons, a bomb and detailed plans to attack local targets and individuals he knew. He was fascinated with the Columbine schools massacre and with Anders Behring Brievik and was self taught, not having access to the internet. He was considered by the courts to be extremely dangerous and is now detained in a medical facility. Brievik is a Norwegian far-right terrorist and the perpetrator of the 2011 Norway attacks. He killed eight people by setting off a van bomb amid the Government quarter in Oslo, then shot dead 69 participants of a Workers' Youth League summer camp. In August 2012, he was convicted of mass murder, causing a fatal explosion, and terrorism.

Prevent Duty The Counter-terrorism Act 2015 places a duty on schools and colleges to safeguard pupils from being drawn into terrorism. Schools are expected to assess risk to their pupils based on the potential risk in the area. They will need clear protocols around visiting speakers. Staff training should enable the identification of young people at risk, the ability to challenge extremist ideas which legitimise terrorism, and knowledge about how to refer. Young people must not be able to access extremist ideas online in school. Ofsted already has regard to the school’s approach to keeping pupils safe from the risk of radicalisation and extremism.

UK Counter-Terrorism Strategy What is the Channel programme? Channel is an early intervention multi-agency panel designed to safeguard vulnerable individuals from being drawn into extremist or terrorist behaviour. Channel works in a similar way to existing multi-agency partnerships for vulnerable individuals. It is a voluntary process allowing the individual to withdraw from the programme at any time.

Discussion - What are some of the possible signs/indicators that may lead to a pupil referral? Remember - There is no single way of identifying who is likely to be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. Factors that may have a bearing on someone becoming vulnerable may include: Peer pressure Influence from other people or via the internet Bullying Crime against them or their involvement in crime Anti social behaviour Family tensions Race/hate crime Lack of self esteem or identity Personal or political grievances

How to Refer The Channel police practitioner will make an initial assessment and advise. (PREVENT Engagement Officers –Tim Petken and Hassan Ali) If the person is not suitable for Channel they can be directed to safeguarding and support services.

Dimensions of Risk Engagement – admission of interest, sympathy to extremist ideology Intent – indication that someone is ready to use violence to promote their views; justify offending Capability –requires skills, resources and networks to be successful

Promoting British Values In November 2014 the DfE published advice stating that schools should promote values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. This also means challenging opinions or behaviours in schools that are contrary to these values.

What Children Need to Know and Understand How people can influence decision-making through the democratic process. That living under the rule of law protects people. The right to choose other faiths and beliefs is protected in law. People with other faiths and beliefs should be respected, accepted and tolerated.

Ways Schools Can Achieve This Teach pupils how democracy and the law works in Britain in contrast to some other forms of government. Enable the voice of pupils to be heard. Demonstrate to pupils how democracy works e.g. voting for school council members, political issues, mock elections. Teach pupils about a range of faiths. Consider extra-curricular activity that promotes these values to pupils.

How VHS Addresses the Issues Prevent Training for all Staff RE syllabus – SoW for Year 9 – Religious Movements and Brainwashing and Extremism P4C during Thursday Registration VKI Masters Research - Building Resilience to Extremism: A Whole School Approach E-safety in PSHE Assemblies and quizzes Discussions in form time

Our Responsibility - Schools subject to the Prevent Duty will be expected to demonstrate activity in the following areas: Assessing the risk of children being drawn into terrorism Demonstrate that they are protecting children and young people from being drawn into terrorism by having robust safeguarding policies. Ensure that their safeguarding arrangements take into account the policies and procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. make sure that staff have training that gives them the knowledge and confidence to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism, and to challenge extremist ideas which can be used to legitimise terrorism Expected to ensure children are safe from terrorist and extremist material when accessing the internet in school. Building resilience to radicalisation is a priority. Schools should offer a ‘safe environment’ to explore sensitive or controversial topics and should ‘satisfy themselves’ that any resources they use are suitable for pupils.