Recognising Radicalisation in Young People: Warning Signs, Vulnerability Factors and the Channel Referral Process
A comprehensive guide for safeguarding professionals, DSLs and school staff — drawing on the Prevent Duty Guidance 2023, Channel Duty Guidance 2023, and Home Office data on referrals to provide a clear, actionable framework for identifying and responding to radicalisation concerns.
Statutory duty: Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, all schools, colleges, universities, local authorities, NHS trusts and many other public bodies have a legal duty to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism." This is the Prevent Duty. Failure to comply can result in Ofsted or regulatory action.
Understanding Radicalisation
Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism or extremist ideologies that may lead to terrorism. It is rarely sudden — it is a gradual process driven by a complex interaction of push factors (grievances, marginalisation) and pull factors (belonging, identity, purpose). The Home Office's 2023 Prevent Duty Guidance emphasises that radicalisation can affect individuals from any background and that no single profile or demographic is uniquely vulnerable.
Vulnerability Factors
The Home Office's ERG22+ (Extremism Risk Guidance) and Vulnerability Assessment Framework identify three broad domains of vulnerability:
Engagement Factors
- • Poverty, exclusion, discrimination
- • Traumatic bereavement or loss
- • Mental health difficulties
- • Learning disabilities reducing critical thinking capacity
- • Personal grievance or sense of injustice
Intent Factors
- • Strong belief in extremist ideology
- • Dehumanising views of "out-groups"
- • Glorification of violence or martyrdom
- • Exposure to extremist literature or propaganda
- • Association with extremist individuals or groups
Capability Factors
- • Access to weapons or materials
- • Technical skills (online, chemical)
- • Planning behaviour or intent
- • Financial resources or networks
- • Prior criminal history
Behavioural Warning Signs in Educational Settings
Verbal and Written Indicators
- • Justifying violence to achieve political or religious goals
- • Expressing sympathy for terrorist organisations or attacks
- • Dehumanising language towards specific groups (religious, racial, political)
- • Written work, essays or art glorifying violence or martyrdom
- • Asking teachers probing questions about terrorist tactics or ideology
Behavioural Indicators
- • Sudden change in friendship group — especially to older individuals with extreme views
- • Increased secretiveness, particularly around online activity
- • Wearing or displaying extremist symbols
- • Withdrawing from previous religious, cultural or social activities
- • Travelling or planning to travel to conflict zones
- • Expressing a desire to "do something" about perceived injustice
The Channel Process: Step by Step
Channel is a multi-agency programme for individuals who are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It is voluntary — individuals are not forced to participate. It is not a criminal justice process. The Channel Duty Guidance 2023 sets out the following pathway:
- Identification and referral: A professional identifies a concern and refers to the local authority Prevent lead (via the DSL in a school setting).
- Initial assessment: The Prevent lead assesses whether the concern meets the threshold for Channel — vulnerability to radicalisation causing risk of involvement in terrorism.
- Channel panel: A multi-agency panel meets (typically including police, local authority, health, education) to assess the case and agree a support plan.
- Support delivered: Tailored support may include mentoring, cognitive behavioural therapy, faith-based engagement, education or employment support.
- Review and closure: The panel meets regularly to review progress. Cases are closed when the vulnerability is sufficiently reduced.
Key Contacts for Prevent Referrals
Sources: Home Office (2023). Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales. gov.uk. | Home Office (2023). Channel Duty Guidance: Protecting vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism. gov.uk. | Home Office (2024). Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme, April 2022 to March 2023. gov.uk. | Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, s.26. | HM Government (2023). CONTEST: The United Kingdom's Strategy for Countering Terrorism 2023. gov.uk.