Raising Explorers is committed to providing a secure environment for all children, where children feel safe and are kept safe. All staff at Raising Explorers recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility irrespective of the role they undertake or whether their role has direct contact or responsibility for children or not.
The threat to the UK from terrorism has become substantial. The terrorist threats that we now face are more diverse than ever before. We therefore face an unpredictable situation! Dealing with violent extremism is nothing new. Throughout history there have been groups prepared to use violence to achieve their aims. A small minority of these seek to radicalise young people with an ideology which justifies the use of violence through a distorted interpretation of a set of values (often associated with a religion). In line with guidance from the Department for Education (DfE), Raising Explorers has a zero tolerance acceptance of extremist behaviour and ensures that our care and guidance empowers young people to reject violent or extremist behaviour. Whilst it remains very rare for school age children to become involved in extremist activity, young people can be exposed to extremist influences or prejudiced views, including via social media, from an early age. Early intervention is a preferable way of tackling extremism.
Our centres Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation Safeguarding Policy draws upon the guidance contained in the DfE publication “Keeping Learners safe in Education, 2014” and also draws coincides with the guidance contained in the DCSF Resources “Learning Together to be Safe, “Prevent: Resources Guide”, “Tackling Extremism in the UK”, DfE’s “Teaching Approaches that help build resilience to Extremism among Young People”, Peter Clarke’s Report (July 2014), “Keeping Children Safe in Education” (March 2015), the “Counter-Terrorism and Security Act” (2015) and the “Prevent Duty” (June 2015).
We recognise that the staff have a responsibility to pay ‘due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism’ (Counter Terrorism and Security Act, 2015) and ensure the centre has a ‘clear approach to implementing the Prevent duty and keeping children and learners safe from the dangers of radicalisation and extremism’.
Definition
Radicalisation – ‘the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism’ (Prevent Strategy)
Extremism – ‘vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect tolerance of different faith and beliefs; and/or calls for the death of members in our armed forces, whether in this country or oversees’ (Prevent)
Radicalisation – ‘the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism’ (Prevent Strategy)
Extremism – ‘vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect tolerance of different faith and beliefs; and/or calls for the death of members in our armed forces, whether in this country or oversees’ (Prevent)
Aims & Objectives
The Policy is intended to provide a framework for dealing with issues relating to vulnerability, radicalisation and exposure to extreme views. There are different forms of extremist organisations in the UK and the world, which include – ISIL (Islamic State), British Defence League, Al-Qaeda, Animal Rights extremist groups such as SPEAK, Irish Republican Army (IRA), to name a few.
We recognise that we are well placed to be able to identify safeguarding issues linked to the dangers of extremist views and this policy clearly sets out how the centre will deal with and prevent these issues.
At Raising Explorers we:
Raise awareness within the centre of the threat from violent extremist groups and the risks for young people
Provide information about what can cause violent extremism, about preventative actions taking place locally and nationally and where we can get additional information and advice
Help society to understand the positive contribution they can make to empower young people to create communities that are more resilient to extremism, and protect the wellbeing of particular children who may be vulnerable to being drawn into violent extremist activity
Provide advice on managing risks and responding to incidents locally, nationally or internationally that might have an impact on the community
All staff, including non-childcare staff will have an understanding of what radicalisation and extremism is and why we need to be vigilant
All staff including non-childcare staff will know what the centre policy is on tackling extremism and radicalisation and will follow the policy guidance swiftly when issues arise
All members of staff are able to identify children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation and respond by following the safeguarding procedures with immediate effect
All parents/carers and children will know that the centre has policies in place to keep children safe from harm and that the centre regularly reviews its systems to ensure they are appropriate and effective
Strategies for Preventing Extremism
The Office for Security & Counter Terrorism works to counter the threat from terrorism and their work is detailed in the counter terrorism strategy CONTEST. This strategy is based on four areas of work:
Pursue – To stop terrorist attacks
Prevent – To stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism
Protect – To strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack
Prepare – To mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack
We recognise that children in vulnerable social and domestic situations (mental health issues, single parent families, involvement in groups) may be at greater risk of radicalisation than other children. Through weekly meetings amongst staff, information is shared if we feel a child is vulnerable to these issues.
In conclusion, we will closely follow any locally agreed procedure as set out by the Local Authority and criteria for safeguarding individuals vulnerable to extremism and radicalisation.
This Policy was adopted by Raising Explorers on 1st July 2024
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