Keeping Children and
Young People Safe Against
Radicalisation and
Extremism
Advice to Parents and Carers
Imminent threat of harm to others contact -
Police : 101 or 999
Surrey Police : 01483 571212
Anti-Terrorist Hotline : 0800 789 321
2
Keeping Children and Young People Safe Against Radicalisation and Extremism
The parent / child relationship is the foundation to keeping your child safe and supporting his or her social development and educational attainment.
Parenting can be a challenging task. Maintaining a positive relationship can sometimes be difficult as your child grows, develops and seeks an identity that may be different from that of your own family.
Children and young people have a natural curiosity which as parents you want to encourage. However, as your children grow up you have to take different steps to ensure their safety.
This guidance sets out information to help you keep your children safe and explains how you should respond should you have a concern.
Why might a young person be drawn towards extremist ideologies?
How might this happen?
On-line
The internet provides entertainment, connectivity and interaction. Children may need to spend a lot of time on the internet while studying and they may use other social media and messaging sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, BBM or WhatsApp. These can be useful tools, but we need to be aware there are powerful programmes and networks that use these media to reach out to young people and can communicate extremist messages.
Peer Interaction
Young people at risk may display extrovert behaviour, start getting into trouble at school or on the streets and may mix with other children who behave badly, but this is not always the case.
There are no typical characteristics of young people who may be more at risk than others. However, a sudden change in behaviour could be a potential indicator. Sometimes those at risk may be encouraged by the people they are in contact with, not to draw attention to themselves.
It is important, as a parent, to keep an open channel of communication that involves listening to your child’s views and concerns. You may not always agree with your child, but you should convey to him / her that you’ve understood his / her point of view and want the best for his / her in life.
However, if you are concerned about your child, you may want to talk to a person of influence, a Teacher or the Headteacher.
TV and media
The media provide a view on world affairs. However, this is often a very simple version of events which, in reality, are very complex. Children may not understand the situation fully or appreciate the dangers involved in the views of some groups. They may see things in simple terms and not have the whole picture.
Recognising Extremism – signs may include :
How can parents support children and young people to stay safe?
If you have any concerns that your child may be being influenced by others get help – talk to someone you can trust, this could be a family member who is a peer to your child, a Teacher or the Headteacher.
If you feel there is a risk of a child leaving the country, consider what safeguards you could take to avert travel. You might want to consider taking the precaution of securing his / her passport in a safe place.
Some young people do not need a passport for confirming their age, they can apply for an identification card as an alternative.
To obtain an official photo ID for the UK visit : http://www.validateuk.co.uk
For more information telephone : 01434 634996
You should also consider what access your child has to savings accounts or gifts of money from family and friends.
You may wish to suggest that gifts are made in kind and not in cash.
Confidential Helpline :
The Active Change Foundation (ACF) provides a confidential helpline to prevent British nationals from travelling to conflict zones.
ACF Confidential helpline telephone number : 020 8539 2770
Crime stoppers anonymously on : 0800 555 111
Anyone with concerns for the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person can contact :
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) : 0300 470 9100 (9 am –5 pm)
Local Emergency duty team out of hours : 01483 517898
Further Sources of Support and Information
School – If you have a concern please talk to your child’s class Teacher or another person in the school that you trust as soon as possible. They will be able to help and can access support for
you and your child.
Useful websites
https://www.internetmatters.org/
Website has lots of information, advice and resources which can be used to help children stay safe online
https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
CEOP works with child protection partners across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account, protecting children from harm online and offline
http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/0/
Information and support for safe use of the internet
https://www.childline.org.uk/
For more advice on cyber safety