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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Safeguarding Against Extremist and Radical Ideologies Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out how {{org_field_name}} protects the people we support, staff, and the wider community from the risks associated with radicalisation and extremist ideologies. This policy supports our duties under the Care Act 2014 safeguarding framework and the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, including Regulation 13 (Safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment) and Regulation 17 (Good governance). We also align our practice with the Government’s Prevent approach to safeguarding people who may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. The statutory Prevent duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 applies to specified authorities; where we are not a specified authority, we will nevertheless co-operate with local authority safeguarding arrangements and relevant Prevent partners, and will make referrals where safeguarding concerns indicate a risk of radicalisation. Our aim is to ensure that care is delivered in a safe, respectful environment, free from extremist influence, and that all staff understand how to identify and respond to safeguarding concerns involving radicalisation.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, contractors, and agency workers at {{org_field_name}}. It includes anyone working in or on behalf of our service, in both the home care setting and administrative roles. It covers individuals receiving care and support, staff interactions, use of technology, and community engagement.

3. Related Policies

• CH13 – Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Improper Treatment Policy
• CH09 – Consent to Care Policy
• CH30 – Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy
• CH34 – Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR) – Service User Policy
• CH28 – Staff Conduct and Code of Ethics Policy
• CH42 – Communication and Engagement with Service Users and Families Policy

4. Policy Statement and Responsibilities

Organisational Commitment

{{org_field_name}} is committed to safeguarding individuals from all forms of abuse, including the risk of radicalisation and involvement in terrorism. We recognise that people who use our services may be vulnerable due to age, disability, cognitive impairment, or social isolation, and could be targeted by individuals or groups seeking to promote extremist ideologies. We take a proactive approach to ensure a culture of tolerance, inclusion, and vigilance.

Definitions

• Radicalisation: The process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.
• Extremism: Beliefs and/or behaviours that may contribute to drawing people into terrorism. Indicators must always be assessed in context and must not be based on a person’s religion, race, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
• Prevent: The UK approach that aims to safeguard people who may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism, through early identification, support, and multi-agency working.
• Channel: A multi-agency programme that provides support for people who are at risk of being drawn into terrorism. Referrals are assessed by partner agencies and support is voluntary unless other legal powers apply.

Risk Identification and Signs of Concern

Staff must be alert to the risk of radicalisation and extremist influence. Indicators may include:

• Expressing extremist views or hatred toward specific groups
• Sudden changes in behaviour, isolation, or withdrawal
• Accessing extremist content online
• Use of symbols, flags, or language associated with radical groups
• Attempts to influence others with extreme beliefs
• Refusal to engage with diverse perspectives

Such behaviours must be assessed in context, and staff should not make assumptions based on culture or religion. All concerns must be raised through appropriate safeguarding channels.

Staff must record objective, factual observations (what was seen/heard, when, where, and who was present) and must avoid recording assumptions or labels (for example “extremist” or “terrorist”). Any concern must be considered alongside the person’s care needs, communication needs, mental capacity, and any known risk factors such as exploitation, coercion, hate crime, domestic abuse, or social isolation.

Staff Responsibilities

All staff are responsible for:

• Being vigilant and aware of the signs of radicalisation
• Creating a safe space for open discussion and expression
• Reporting concerns immediately to the Safeguarding Lead ({{org_field_safeguarding_lead_name}} – {{org_field_safeguarding_lead_role}})
• Supporting people we care for in making informed, safe choices
• Not engaging in or promoting discriminatory or extremist views themselves

Staff must maintain professionalism, neutrality, and objectivity in dealing with all political or ideological topics.

Referral Process and Multi-Agency Working

1. Immediate safety: If there is an immediate risk to life or a crime in progress, call 999. If urgent but not immediate, contact the police via 101 as appropriate.
2. Internal escalation: Report the concern immediately to the Safeguarding Lead and the Registered Manager (or the on-call manager).
3. Safeguarding decision: The Safeguarding Lead will consider whether this is:
   • a Care Act safeguarding concern requiring referral to the Local Authority Adult Safeguarding team; and/or
   • a Prevent/Channel concern indicating the person may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism, requiring referral via local Prevent pathways.
4. Referral route: Referrals will be made in line with local authority safeguarding procedures and local Prevent referral pathways (usually via the local authority Prevent team and/or police Prevent contacts). Where possible, the person and/or their representative will be informed unless doing so would increase risk (for example risk of reprisals, coercion, intimidation, or destruction of evidence).
5. Recording: Record the concern on the incident/safeguarding system the same day, including factual observations, dates/times, persons involved, immediate actions taken, who was notified, and outcomes.
6. CQC notifications: Where the concern meets CQC notification thresholds for abuse or alleged abuse, the Registered Manager will ensure the appropriate CQC notification is submitted and retained on file.
7. Ongoing safeguarding plan: The person’s risk assessment and care plan will be updated promptly. Proportionate safeguards will be implemented (for example supervision of visitors where justified, support with online safety, advocacy referral), and multi-agency actions will be completed and reviewed.

Information sharing, consent and confidentiality

We respect confidentiality and data protection requirements. However, where there is a safeguarding concern (including a concern that a person may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism), information may be shared lawfully, proportionately, and in a timely way with relevant partners (for example local authority safeguarding, police, Prevent/Channel partners, and health professionals) where it is necessary to protect the person or others from harm, prevent crime, or where required by law.
We will:

• seek and record consent where appropriate and safe to do so;
• share the minimum necessary information on a need-to-know basis;
• document what was shared, with whom, when, and why; and
• store records securely in line with our data protection and record-keeping procedures.

Training and Awareness

All staff at {{org_field_name}} receive training on:

• The Prevent Duty and recognising signs of radicalisation
• Cultural competence, anti-discriminatory practice, and respecting difference
• Safe use of internet and monitoring technology risks
• Reporting and responding to extremist concerns under safeguarding procedures

This training is refreshed annually or following incidents, and monitored through CH27 – Staff Supervision, Training, and Development Policy.

Training must be role-appropriate. Managers and safeguarding leads will receive additional training on referral decision-making, information sharing, escalation, and governance oversight.

Refresher training will also be provided more frequently than annually where learning indicates a need (for example following an incident, near-miss, audit finding, complaint, safeguarding adult review, or changes to national guidance).

Promoting British Values and Inclusion

{{org_field_name}} promotes a culture of respect, equality, and inclusion through:

• Valuing individual choice and diversity
• Supporting open conversations about faith, politics, and values in a non-judgmental way
• Celebrating diversity through care planning, activities, and staff development
• Ensuring no person is isolated, discriminated against, or made to feel unsafe for their beliefs

Our Equality and Diversity Lead ensures that policies and training reflect anti-radicalisation best practices.

Online Safety and Information Security

Staff and individuals we support may access the internet through personal or provided devices. We manage this by:

• Providing guidance to people we support (and/or families/advocates where appropriate) on online safety, scams, grooming, and exploitation risks.
• Using risk assessments to decide proportionate safeguards for any provider-owned devices, accounts, or networks (for example device settings and safe Wi-Fi configuration), and documenting the rationale.
• We do not routinely monitor a person’s private communications or personal devices. Any increased oversight (for example on provider-owned equipment) must be lawful, proportionate, least restrictive, documented, and part of a clear safeguarding plan.
• Reporting concerns in line with safeguarding procedures and data protection requirements.

Confidentiality and Record-Keeping

Any concern raised must be:

• Documented factually and stored securely
• Only shared with those who need to know
• Used to inform safeguarding discussions and risk assessments

The Data Protection Officer supports compliance with data protection legislation when handling Prevent-related concerns.

Policy Governance and Audit

The Registered Manager will:

• Ensure audits include checks on quality of records, timeliness of referrals, outcomes tracking, training compliance, supervision notes, and evidence of learning/changes made.
• Ensure themes and risks are reviewed at quality and safety meetings, with actions assigned to named owners, timescales agreed, and completion monitored.
• Ensure safeguarding and Prevent/Channel-related learning is reflected in care planning, staff practice, and policy updates.

5. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and immediately following: changes to legislation or statutory guidance, updates to CQC guidance, Prevent guidance updates, significant incidents or near misses, safeguarding adult reviews, complaints indicating safeguarding risk, or audit findings. Any revisions will be communicated to staff and reflected in updated training, supervision, and procedures.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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