Introduction

Protecting young people from hate and radicalisation is a layered effort—one that blends education, early intervention, emotional support, and community resilience.

Education and Awareness

Critical Thinking Skills

Help young people question and evaluate extremist narratives. Use role-play, storytelling, and discussion to explore bias, propaganda, and online manipulation.

Digital literacy

Teaching safe online habits—how to spot misinformation, and echo chambers.

Values-led learning

Promoting respect, inclusion, and empathy through informal learning and group activities.

Protecting young people from hate and radicalisation is a layered effort—one that blends education, early intervention, emotional support, and community resilience. Here’s a structured overview tailored to your youth club’s ethos and safeguarding priorities:

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Education and Awareness

• Critical thinking skills: Help young people question and evaluate extremist narratives. Use role-play, storytelling, and discussion to explore bias, propaganda, and online manipulation.
• Digital literacy: Teach safe online habits—how to spot grooming, misinformation, and echo chambers.
• Values-led learning: Promote respect, inclusion, and empathy through informal learning and group activities.

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Mental Health and Emotional Support

• Safe spaces: Create environments where young people feel heard and supported. Emotional well-being is a key buffer against radicalisation.
• Peer mentoring: Encourage older youth to support younger members, fostering trust and positive role models.
• Early signs: Watch for sudden changes in behaviour, isolation, or extreme views. These can be flags for deeper vulnerabilities.

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Community Cohesion and Belonging

• Group identity: Build a strong, inclusive club culture that celebrates diversity and shared purpose.
• Intergenerational dialogue: Invite local leaders, parents, and community members to engage with youth in open forums.
• Collaborative projects: Use art, storytelling, and volunteering to connect young people to wider social causes.

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Safeguarding and Intervention

• Prevent strategy: As outlined by Phoenix Youth Provision and the UK government, this includes:
  • Early identification of risk
  • Voluntary support through the Channel programme
  • Multi-agency collaboration (schools, police, youth services)
• Training for staff and volunteers: Equip your team to spot signs and respond confidently.
• SEND-specific resources: Tailor support for neurodiverse youth, especially those with autism.

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Expanding Worldviews

• Global citizenship: Encourage curiosity about other cultures, beliefs, and social systems.
• Social commitment: Help youth see themselves as changemakers—through campaigns, debates, and community action.

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Prevent

When discussing safeguarding, “Prevent” refers to a UK government strategy. This strategy aims to prevent individuals from being drawn into extremism. It focuses particularly on young people to avoid radicalisation that leads to terrorism. It’s one of the four elements of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, known as CONTEST.

The Prevent strategy focuses on identifying those at risk of radicalization and offering early intervention. This involves education, mentoring, or other forms of support to steer individuals away from harmful ideologies and behaviors. Prevent is about safeguarding individuals in vulnerable situations, ensuring they have the tools and support to make positive choices.