Building confidence in tackling extremism and online threats

Giles Bancroft, founder partner at Hive Strategy, explains the need for a new initiative to empower SFC leaders and DSLs under the Prevent Duty.

In every pocket or backpack, on every bus, and in many bedrooms, at any hour of the day, the spectre of extremism lies only a swipe or two away on a smartphone. As our world becomes increasingly unpredictable, that spectre looms concerningly large, feeding on people’s responses to the complex social and political forces swirling around them each day. 

Home Office statistics underline both the rise of extreme right-wing ideologies and the persistent threat of religiously motivated radicalisation. These threats to British society’s stability demand proactive and informed responses. Teachers’ and education professionals’ statutory requirements, most obviously Prevent, impose a duty of protection well beyond the subject knowledge that likely motivated their initial career choice. In many cases, a teacher may well be the influence outside of the home best able to help young people to differentiate between fact and fiction, conspiracy and misinformation. 

To counter extremism, the need for effective communications in the classroom and broader educational environment has never been more urgent. Beyond the Prevent duty, it is important that education professionals have the confidence that comes from knowledge about, and a familiarity with, recent trends.  

Recent events, such as the harrowing details emerging from the Southport review, serve as stark reminders of the devastating consequences when extremism takes hold. The rise in online radicalisation, amplified by social media algorithms that often prioritise engagement over safety, presents a unique challenge. As highlighted by the Counter Extremism Commissioner, extremist ideology is at the heart of terrorism, and such ideologies are  circulating at an alarming rate in the digital sphere. 

In February Britain’s head of counter-terrorism policing, Matt Jukes, called for Parliament to “explore” implementing age verification on social media sites as he compared the harm caused by social media to the “cancer” caused by smoking. It is a reality mirrored in popular culture, too, with shows like "Adolescence" offering glimpses into the pressures and vulnerabilities young people face, navigating a world where online and offline realities blur.

The digital age has ushered in an era where teenagers and young adults spend a significant portion of their lives online. Social media platforms, while connecting people across the globe, have been repeatedly criticised for their refusal to take responsibility for harmful content. This "rage of algorithms" can create echo chambers that become the intense focus of young minds. 

The Prevent Duty places a significant responsibility on sixth form colleges (SFCs) to safeguard their students from radicalisation and extremism. While the core aim – protecting young people – is paramount, effective implementation can present a number of complex challenges. It was precisely within the context of these challenges that Hive Strategy and ACS decided to partner to develop a series of targeted training workshops for educational professionals.

We recognised that SFC leaders face a delicate balancing act. They must promote an environment where fundamental British values like democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance flourish, while at the same time remaining vigilant against the insidious influence of radical ideologies and ensuring the safeguarding of vulnerable students.

These challenges – balancing safeguarding and free speech, identifying subtle signs of vulnerability, and guarding against the threat of online radicalisation – are not abstract concerns but daily realities for safeguarding leads, teachers and SFC leaders.  In addition the spotlight of Ofsted oversight can lead to further pressure and a focus on compliance rather than effective practice.

Resource constraints place further complexity to SFC decision-making. Implementing effective training programmes and safeguarding procedures requires time, expertise, and financial investment at a time that resources are already stretched.  The risk of stereotyping and discrimination is also a key consideration for SFCs, to ensure a nuanced and informed approach,  avoiding alienating students and undermining trust.

Driven by the complexity of these issues, Hive Strategy and ACS collaborated to create training workshops that go beyond compliance. Our aim was to empower education professionals with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need, therefore developing the confidence to engage on the challenges of radicalisation.

If you would like to find out more please email me.