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Vulnerability factors

If you are worried that your child is being radicalised, you have a number of options. Talking to your child is a good way to gauge if your instincts are correct, but you might prefer to share your concerns with someone else first.

Talking to your child about extremism and radicalisation can be daunting but advice is available to help you start the conversation with them.

If you’d prefer to speak with someone else before talking with your child, there are a number of options, people and organisations you can turn to for help and advice:

  • Raise the issue with your child’s teachers, a friend or a close family member. Explain your worries and find out if they have noticed anything out of the ordinary. Hearing another perspective may help you decide if something is wrong
  • Organise a meeting with the safeguarding lead at your child’s school. They will be able to advise you on the best approach
  • Your local police force or local authority can also provide advice and support. If your child has not committed a criminal offence, speaking to the police or local authority will not get your child into trouble. They will discuss your concerns and suggest how to best protect your child. This short video helps to explain the process

Useful numbers:

  • If you think someone is about to carry out an act of terrorism, dial 999
  • If you have concerns, but there’s no immediate danger, dial 101
  • You can also report your concerns via the government Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321 and a confidential online form which can be found here

Resources

UK Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of three leading charities, Childnet International, Internet Watch Foundation and SWGfL, with a mission to make the internet a better place for children and young people. It coordinates Safer Internet Day across the UK and provides support with online safety issues via a helpline to professionals working with children and young people. The centre has produced a range of education packs covering all year groups to help schools promote internet safety.

 


A note about our third-party resources 

Third-party resources are those not created directly by the Educate Against Hate team, or by the Department for Education. All third-party resources hosted on Educate Against Hate have undergone a quality-assurance process, a due diligence assessment and content review before being added to the site, so you can have confidence that you’re using trusted, accurate, high-quality content.  

You should use any resources on this website at your own discretion. When selecting resources and materials to use, schools may find it helpful to review guidance produced by the Department for Education on using external agencies.  


 

The NSPCC is a leading charity fighting to protect children from all forms of abuse. The website includes advice for adults worried about a child including what to do if you are worried about radicalisation and how to talk to children who might be upset by terrorist events in the media.

If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, you can contact the NSPCC helpline to speak to one of their counsellors on 0808 800 5000.

 


A note about our third-party resources 

Third-party resources are those not created directly by the Educate Against Hate team, or by the Department for Education. All third-party resources hosted on Educate Against Hate have undergone a quality-assurance process, a due diligence assessment and content review before being added to the site, so you can have confidence that you’re using trusted, accurate, high-quality content.  

You should use any resources on this website at your own discretion. When selecting resources and materials to use, schools may find it helpful to review guidance produced by the Department for Education on using external agencies.


 

Online safety advice for parents from Childnet International, a non-profit organisation helping to make the internet a safe space for children. Whether you’re puzzled by parental controls or would like to know more about gaming, Childnet International can help parents keep up to speed with what children and young people are doing online. The website includes a whole host of useful ways to keep your child safe, from the basics every parent needs to know, to hot topics and emerging web trends.

 


A note about our third-party resources 

Third-party resources are those not created directly by the Educate Against Hate team, or by the Department for Education. All third-party resources hosted on Educate Against Hate have undergone a quality-assurance process, a due diligence assessment and content review before being added to the site, so you can have confidence that you’re using trusted, accurate, high-quality content.

You should use any resources on this website at your own discretion. When selecting resources and materials to use, schools may find it helpful to review guidance produced by the Department for Education on using external agencies.


 

The FAST website provides support for families whose children have travelled to conflict zones or who may be about to plot, or commit, acts of terror in the UK.

 


A note about our third-party resources 

Third-party resources are those not created directly by the Educate Against Hate team, or by the Department for Education. All third-party resources hosted on Educate Against Hate have undergone a quality-assurance process, a due diligence assessment and content review before being added to the site, so you can have confidence that you’re using trusted, accurate, high-quality content.  

You should use any resources on this website at your own discretion. When selecting resources and materials to use, schools may find it helpful to review guidance produced by the Department for Education on using external agencies.