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Most professionals underestimate the crucial role of safeguarding when it comes to preventing radicalisation. In this episode, Kira Baker, Regional Prevent Officer, unpacks how safeguarding principles are seamlessly integrated into Counter-Terrorism strategies like Prevent, emphasizing their importance in everyday practice.

Kira provides the clarity frontline workers need, explaining how Prevent isn't about criminalisation but early support—highlighting success stories that often go unnoticed. She discusses the evolution of the strategy, current threat levels, and the dominant ideological threats in the UK, like Islamist extremism and right-wing violence, revealing how online spaces significantly amplify vulnerability.

Discover concrete frameworks such as Notice, Check, Share, as Kira guides us through real-world safeguarding scenarios, demonstrating how to identify signs of radicalisation—whether it's online activity, behavioral shifts, or community indicators. She emphasizes that safeguarding isn't about ticking boxes but understanding individual vulnerabilities within their broader life context, fostering trust and open dialogue instead of stigmatisation.

You’ll also hear about the innovative support mechanisms like Channel panels and intervention providers, which focus on holistic, person-centered interventions that respect individuals' rights and beliefs. Kira explains how consent and personalised support underpin effective early intervention, dispelling myths about enforcement or punishment.

Reflective Questions:
1. How can we integrate the Notice, Check, Share framework into our current safeguarding practices?

2. What are the potential challenges in shifting perceptions of Prevent from a punitive to a supportive strategy?

3. How can we better identify and support individuals at risk of radicalization within our communities?

Links from this episode:

If you are worried someone is being radicalised you can call the national police Prevent line on 0800 011 3764 or 18001 101 for a text phone service for hearing impaired people

Prevent information page: www.gov.uk/prevent

Prevent duty guidance: Prevent duty guidance: England and Wales (2023) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST) 2023 - GOV.UK

Key principles of Prevent - GOV.UK

www.actearly.uk 

Prevent duty training - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk/prevent-duty-training)

Educate Against Hate - Prevent Radicalisation & Extremism

 https://www.getsafeonline.org/social-networking/online-radicalisation/ 

Autism and Extremism: The Questions that Operational Practitioners Should be Asking 

Going Too Far? 

Help your child stay safe online - Kids Online Safety

Further details of topics discussed can be found on the SSCP Website: somersetsafeguardingchildren.org.uk

If you have any comments or questions from this podcast, or would like to be involved in a future episode please get in touch at ThePPod@somerset.gov.uk

To access the transcript for this episode go to The P Pod (somersetsafeguardingchildren.org.uk) and click on the episode for details.