Understanding the Prevent Duty: Safeguarding Loved Ones from Radicalisation

At Bespoke Care & Support Services, we are committed to promoting Award Winning Care rooted in safety, dignity and respect. A key part of safeguarding includes understanding radicalisation and the national Prevent duty. This is particularly vital here in Central Huddersfield and across the wider Homecare Kirklees region, where communities thrive on inclusivity and diversity.

What is Prevent?

The Prevent duty is a legal obligation placed on public-facing bodies under Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. It requires organisations such as care providers, schools, councils and health services to identify and support individuals who may be vulnerable to extremist influence or radicalisation.

Prevent is not about criminalising people. Instead, it focuses on early intervention, safeguarding, and support. Much like how services protect individuals from grooming or domestic abuse, Prevent works to steer people away from extremist ideologies, whether religious, political or ideological.

Types of Radicalisation

Radicalisation can take many forms. The most well-known are:

• Islamist extremism: Including ideologies associated with groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda.

• Far-right extremism: Including neo-Nazi views, white supremacist ideologies, and conspiracy theories rooted in nationalism, anti-migrant rhetoric or antisemitism.

• Single-issue extremism: Focused on narrow causes like anti-vax movements or eco-extremism, often weaponised online.

• Mixed, unstable or unclear ideologies: An emerging trend among young people who consume a blend of extremist content from multiple sources.

  
  

At BCSS, we are especially alert to the rise of online far-right radicalisation, which has seen significant growth in recent years.

Signs a Loved One May Be at Risk

Radicalisation is often a gradual process, and identifying early warning signs can make all the difference. Watch out for:

• Sudden shifts in personality or routine

• Withdrawal from family and friends

• Obsessive use of online platforms or encrypted apps

• Using coded language or slogans tied to extremist movements (e.g., “white genocide,” “great replacement”)

• Expressing black-and-white thinking or hatred toward specific groups (migrants, Muslims, LGBTQ+ people, etc.)

• Repeating conspiracy theories (e.g., COVID denial, “deep state,” QAnon)

• Justifying violence, hate crime or terrorism as necessary or inevitable

  
  

These signs don’t automatically mean someone is radicalised—but they may indicate that a person is consuming harmful content and needs support.

Supporting Someone at Risk

If you are concerned, follow the Notice, Check, Share approach outlined in our [Prevent Policy] and national guidance:

• Notice: Be alert to behavioural or ideological changes.

• Check: Speak with a designated safeguarding lead or manager for advice.

• Share: Where appropriate, make a referral to your local Prevent team or Channel Panel.

  
  

Channel is a confidential safeguarding programme offering tailored support for those vulnerable to radicalisation. Participation is voluntary and not criminal in nature.

Local Contacts & Referrals

If you live in the Huddersfield or Kirklees area, help is readily available:

• Kirklees Prevent Hub📞 01924 483747✉️ prevent@kirklees.gov.uk

  
  

• Channel Referral Guidance🌐 Kirklees Channel Referral

  
  

• Kirklees Gateway to Care (24/7 Safeguarding Helpline)📞 01484 414933✉️ gatewaytocare@kirklees.gov.uk

Social Media: The New Battleground for Radicalisation

While radicalisation used to occur through in-person contact or fringe publications, today it often begins with a scroll through social media. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok are increasingly used to target vulnerable people, not with overt extremism, but with emotionally charged content and subtle manipulation.

In Central Huddersfield, and across Homecare Kirklees, we’ve seen how quickly misinformation and extremist sentiment can spread online, especially among isolated or socially vulnerable individuals. That’s why understanding how to spot suspicious accounts and content is essential in our shared safeguarding efforts.

🚩 What to Watch For

Many radicalisation efforts online don’t begin with hate — they begin with nostalgia, community pride, or outrage. Pages and accounts may post:

• Photos of “traditional Britain” with captions like “Do you remember when Britain used to be great?”

• Posts that subtly imply loss, decline, or cultural erosion

• Comments sections that quickly descend into racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, or anti-refugee rhetoric

  
  

Often, these accounts:

• Have no clear identity or real person behind them

• Use sunsets, landscapes, flags, or dogs as profile pictures

• Feature usernames with numbers or vague slogans (e.g., "RealBrit1984" or "PatriotUK1")

• Post frequently but impersonally, avoiding life updates or photos

Training and Awareness at BCSS

All staff at Bespoke Care & Support Services receive Prevent training as part of their induction, with refresher sessions held every two years. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Andrew Johnson, oversees all Prevent referrals and ensures staff remain vigilant and supported.

A Shared Responsibility

Preventing radicalisation is a community effort. Whether you’re a care worker, family member, or neighbour, your vigilance could help safeguard someone vulnerable and guide them back toward inclusion and safety.

For more information or support, reach out to our team or explore our full [Safeguarding Policies].