What is Channel? - Educate Against Hate

Parents' Q&As

Referring possible cases of early-stage radicalisation is similar to safeguarding processes designed to protect people from gang activity, drugs, and physical or sexual abuse. Many types of support are available as part of the Channel programme, addressing educational, vocational, mental health and other vulnerabilities.

The Channel programme is:

Voluntary
Confidential
A support programme – not a criminal sanction

A referral can come from anyone who is concerned about a person they know who may be at risk of radicalisation, whether a family member, friend, school leader, colleague or from a wide range of partners. Channel addresses all forms of terrorism, including Islamist, extreme right-wing and others.

When someone makes a referral, lots of agencies work together to offer support where they consider it necessary and proportionate to do so. This involves a number of steps:

1. The local authority and the police carefully assess all referrals to see if they are suitable for Channel or whether a different type of support is more appropriate, such as mental health support.

2. If suitable, the referral is discussed with all relevant partners at a meeting called a Channel panel to decide if an intervention is necessary. The individual who has been referred to Prevent is informed and must give their consent (or via a parent or guardian if they are children) before an intervention can take place.

3. If Channel intervention is required, the panel works with local partners to develop an appropriate tailored support package.

4. The support package is monitored closely and reviewed regularly by the Channel panel.

The type of support available is wide-ranging, and can include help with education or career advice, dealing with mental or emotional health issues, drug or alcohol abuse, and theological or ideological mentoring from a Channel intervention provider (a specialist mentor).

Useful links:

More information about the Channel Programme
Official statistics on the number of individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme
ACT Early

Resources

Prevent duty: statutory guidance

Guidance for specified authorities in England and Wales on the duty in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism. The aim of the Prevent strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism by stopping people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. This guidance helps schools to develop an awareness and understanding of the risk of radicalisation and take steps to appropriately report and manage those risks in line with the law.

Department for Education Prevent Duty Guidance

Guidance for schools and childcare providers on preventing children and young people from being drawn into terrorism. This non-statutory advice from the Department for Education has been produced to explain what the Prevent duty means for schools and childcare providers; make clear what schools and childcare providers should do to demonstrate compliance with the duty; and inform schools and childcare providers about other sources of information, advice and support.

Essentials of Dialogue

Students need tools to build societies that welcome diversity and encourage an open-minded and inclusive approach. To support this, teachers need straightforward and simple classroom activities.

Essentials of Dialogue is a resource for use in classrooms with year 6 to year 13 to help build skills of dialogue and critical thinking in young people, plus practical guidance on managing difficult discussions.

Channel Awareness Training

Channel is a voluntary, confidential programme which safeguards people identified as vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It is a multi-agency process, involving partners from the local authority, the police, education, health providers and others. This Government training is suitable for staff who may be asked to contribute to, site on or run a Channel Panel. It covers the objectives of the Channel programme, the working process and the roles and responsibilities for the panel. This course takes 50 to 60 minutes to complete.

See all Resources

Common Questions

How is extremism relevant to me as a parent?

Is my child vulnerable to radicalisation?

How can I do protect my child from extremist influences?

How do I talk to my child about extremism?

What is Channel?

How can I keep my child safe from online extremism?

What should I do if I think my child is being radicalised?

Has intervention ever stopped a young person being radicalised?

How do people become radicalised?

What are the warning signs of radicalisation?

How do we define terrorism and extremism in the UK?

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