1 | Our pledge and legal duty
Positive Aspirations Group is committed to offering every child a secure home where difficult ideas can be explored safely. Under the Counter-Terrorism & Security Act 2015 (“Prevent Duty”) we must show due regard to stopping anyone—especially vulnerable children—being drawn into extremist ideology, hatred or terrorism. Freedom of speech is a cherished value, but it ends where speech incites violence or hatred. Safeguarding overrides all other considerations.
2 | Why looked-after children may be at higher risk
| Risk factor | What it can look like |
| Unresolved trauma / anger | attraction to narratives that blame “the system” or certain groups for their pain |
| Need to belong | on-line grooming via gaming forums or encrypted apps that offer “family” |
| Identity confusion | extremist content that offers a single, rigid identity or cause |
| Isolation or school refusal | more unsupervised time online, echo-chamber communities |
Extremists exploit these vulnerabilities to create division, fear and mistrust.
3 | Spotting early warning signs
- Sudden use of derogatory or hate language (“kuffar”, “groomers”, “infidels”).
- Glorifying extremist symbols, flags, slogans in artwork, notebooks or graffiti.
- Secrecy around devices; multiple accounts or encrypted apps (Telegram, Discord private servers).
- Rejecting old friends, hobbies or dress style in favour of new, rigid rules.
- Fixation on conspiracy theories; unwillingness to hear alternative views.
- Physical changes—black clothing, specific haircuts, “lone-wolf” paraphernalia—or repeated watching of extremist or violent videos.
Write down exact phrases or symbols; context is key when specialists assess risk.
4 | Immediate steps if you’re worried
- Stay calm and curious. Ask open questions: “Tell me more about that video.”
- Record objectively: date, time, what was seen/heard, who else was present.
- Report within two hours to the Registered Manager (or on-call lead) and inform your Supervising Social Worker.
- Do not confront or confiscate devices unless there is imminent danger; an angry shutdown can push the young person further into secrecy.
- Preserve evidence – screenshots, URLs, usernames.
The Registered Manager decides whether to:
- escalate to the placing Local Authority and request Channel Panel involvement;
- consult the police Counter-Terrorism Liaison Officer;
- update safer-caring plan and risk matrix.
5 | Risk assessment & planning
- Each concern triggers a Prevent Risk-Matrix (low–moderate–high–imminent).
- Actions go into the Safer Caring Policy: extra supervision online, device-time limits, safe adults list, pro-social clubs or mentoring.
- Review fortnightly—or sooner if behaviour shifts.
6 | Building protective factors every day
| Protective theme | Practical carer actions |
| Democracy & voice | Family meetings where everyone votes on weekend activities; explaining why majority decisions still respect minority views. |
| Rule of law | Model fair consequences; link household rules to wider laws (“bike helmet keeps you safe and it’s the law”). |
| Individual liberty | Encourage choice in hobbies, dress, faith practice (or non-practice). |
| Mutual respect & tolerance | Celebrate all festivals represented in school; invite respectful questions about differences. |
| Critical-thinking skills | Teach “check the source” habits—compare three websites, look for .gov or .edu, discuss satire vs fact. |
7 | Training and support from the agency
- Mandatory Prevent / Channel e-learning for all carers and staff (renew every 2 years).
- Annual e-safety workshop covering encryption apps, livestream risks and emerging platforms.
- Equality & diversity modules that arm carers with language to challenge prejudice safely.
- Access to a Safeguarding Advisor for case-specific coaching and joint school meetings.
8 | Roles & lines of accountability
- Registered Manager – strategic lead; liaises with police, Channel, Local Authorities; logs incidents centrally.
- Supervising Social Worker (SSW) – first line of support; completes risk matrix, updates Safer Caring Policy.
- Foster carer – daily observer and role-model; records, reports and implements risk-reduction actions.
- Children & young people – encouraged to discuss world events, ask questions and report hate content.
9 | When extremist content appears in the home
- Videos / literature: store in a sealed envelope or password-protected file; hand to your SSW.
- Graffiti or drawings: photograph before removal; include in incident report.
- Third-party influence (friend, relative, online contact): gather identifiers (username, email, phone) and pass to the Registered Manager.
In essence: Extremism thrives on secrecy and division. By creating an open, respectful household and acting decisively on concerns, you form a frontline defence that keeps young people safe, curious and free to build their own positive aspirations.
