Discussing your concerns
There are a number of routes for staff who are concerned that one of their students is on the path to radicalisation or has been radicalised.
All schools are required to have robust safeguarding procedures and all school staff should be aware of and confident in following the school’s safeguarding policy.
Teachers can also raise concerns by contacting:
- The non-emergency police number, 101
- The Local Authority
- The Anti-Terrorist Hotline, 0800 789 321
If you have a concern, you should follow your school’s standard safeguarding procedure in the first instance including discussing with your designated safeguarding lead. They may get further advice from the local authority.
You can also talk to the police, either in person or by dialling 101, the non-emergency number. Such actions will not get the child into trouble, if a criminal act hasn’t been committed. The police and local authority will discuss your concerns, suggest how they can best help the child and give you access to relevant support and advice.
The local authority or police might suggest a referral to Channel, a programme aimed at stopping young people being drawn into terrorism. Channel can provide a support plan and specific interventions to protect those at risk, including mentoring support or an ideological or theological intervention.
Find out more about Channel here.
If you’re not sure what to do about a concern then the Department for Education has a counter-extremism helpline. You can call them for advice on 020 7340 7264 between 11am and 3pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
If you think a someone is in immediate danger, or if you see or hear something that may be terrorist-related, trust your instincts and call 999 or the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.