The deradicalisation process explained

Have you ever wondered what the deradicalisation process looks like?

In this article, Sophie & Shelly take a look..........

Step 1 – Referral

A wife delivers an ultimatum to her husband. A parent struggles to process the extremist views their child has started voicing. A safeguarding officer learns that a pupil at their school has been radicalised.

In each case, the process of deradicalisation begins the same way: someone notices, and someone speaks up.

The clearest warning signs include:

·       Seeking out extremist content online or downloading propaganda material

·       Defending violence as a legitimate way to address social or political problems

·       Refusing to engage with people seen as different

·       Adopting symbols, language, or styles of dress associated with terrorist organisations

In teenagers in particular, radicalisation often looks like withdrawal from family and friends, long stretches of unsupervised time online, and growing secretiveness. Because these can easily be mistaken for ordinary teenage behaviour, the more telling signal is a shift in how a young person talks about political or social issues.

Once these signs are spotted, the next step is a referral to Prevent. Anyone can make one — a parent, a partner, a friend, a teacher, a safeguarding officer. Prevent is a government-led, multi-agency safeguarding programme designed to intervene early, before someone is drawn into supporting or committing terrorism. It works by addressing the personal, social, and ideological pressures that make a person vulnerable to radicalisation in the first place, and it applies across all forms of terrorism, not only the extreme right wing.

True to its name, Prevent exists to stop radicalisation before it reaches the point of violence.

Sarah’s son John was referred to Prevent.

Quote from Sarah - Exit Hate Support Team

"Our entire world started to crumble when my son, at just 15 years old, was radicalised into extremism. As his involvement intensified, the security of both our futures was put at risk. Attempts at providing counter-narratives only triggered heated arguments, and our connection completely severed; he simply wouldn't listen to anyone. It wasn't until he was referred to Prevent that a turning point occurred. With their guidance, he began the process of disengaging from extremism, and our lives gradually started to get back on track."

Step 2 - Deradicalisation

Once a referral reaches Prevent, the case is first reviewed by the local authority and police, who assess whether the individual is at risk of radicalisation and suitable for what is called a multi-agency ‘Channel Panel’. If they are, the case moves to a panel meeting bringing together professionals from health, education, social care, and policing, who assess the level of risk and build a tailored support plan. It is important to note that even though the police is involved in this process, the individual involved is not at risk of being arrested or getting a criminal record just for being referred.

Crucially, none of this happens without consent. Participation is entirely voluntary, and the referred individual — or their parent or guardian, if they're a child — must agree to take part before any intervention begins.

The Intervention package often involves:

-        Theological, ideological, or behavioural mentoring from specialist experts.

-        Access to counsellors and emotional health services.

-        Help with schooling, further education, and employment assistance.

-        Guidance for parents and early help services

All these aspects are very important to fill the void that leaving an ERW organisation might leave behind.

Once intervention begins, an Intervention Provider is designated, and a first meeting is held, followed by one every week for six weeks. This is where the person is able to voice their views, opinions and beliefs without judgment.

John was referred by his Safeguarding Lead at school. John: “I had made a series of offensive comments in college. They referred me to Prevent and I was passed onto the Channel Panel where it was decided that I might benefit from the support of an Intervention Provider: a specialist who would provide tailored support and mentoring.”

The first meeting John had was in college.

John: “During the weekly meetings that followed, I started to discover the truth, that I had been manipulated and lied to by the ERW groups that I belonged to, and I decided to officially leave.”

This is not where the process ends, however. To make sure the changes take hold, the Intervention Provider stays in contact through follow-up calls and occasional meetings, offering ongoing support to help the individual avoid being drawn back into Extreme Right Wing ideology.

John: “For instance, I was offered a gym membership to help keep me distracted. With the help from Prevent I was able to walk away from my involvement, and I have never looked back. In fact, I now work for Exit Hate to spread my message as far and wide as possible.”

Part 3 Aftercare – rebuilding your life

Starting over after leaving extremism is a huge personal shift. It means cutting ties with the old network, working through the trauma that comes with that, and finding your way back into everyday life. That takes real, ongoing effort — figuring out who you are now, landing a steady job, and repairing family relationships that got damaged along the way.

The most important aspects of successfully rebuilding a life are:

●      Access to psychological support that allows individuals to safely process the grievances or marginalization that initially drove them to extremism.

●      Developing tools for self-forgiveness, stress management, and emotional regulation

●      Focus on helping individuals reassess the extremist commitments they once made rather than forcefully re-educating their beliefs

●      Disengagement programming helps sever ties with malignant influencers and fosters meaningful engagement with positive, pro-social alternatives and community members.

●      Many former extremists rely on foundations run by other disengaged individuals who serve as mentors, offering the crucial sense of belonging and acceptance that government programs often struggle to provide. For instance: Exit Hate.

●      Obtaining a reliable, independent income is a primary factor in preventing relapse. Programs often provide career guidance, vocational training, and startup kits for small businesses

●      Learning how to successfully re-enter the civilian workforce while managing the societal stigma associated with past associations is a major milestone in post-exit life.

Most importantly, bringing families into the rehabilitation process rebuilds trust and creates a strong, protective support system that deters relapse.

Quote from Sarah - Exit Hate Support Team

“I don’t know what would have happened to us without the support from Prevent. Their support gave us our lives and our future back.

Now as members of the team at Exit Hate. w see how support benefits not only those involved but also their family, friends and loved ones. Support can help those affected to gain insight and understanding about radicalisation and extremism, as well as offering all important resources to help to navigate that difficult journey.

You do not have to face this journey by yourself; no one should have to walk this path alone.

Need support?

Call Act Early on – 0800 011 3764. Visit - https://actearly.uk for more information.

Email: info@exithate.org

You Are Not Alone

Sophie & Shelly – Exit Hate Volunteers