Addressing and understanding the risks of radicalisation and extremism has been an important and continually evolving area within social work practice. Knowledge and awareness of the types of radicalisation has increased over time, with shifts from predominantly Islamist concerns to inclusion of extreme right-wing or mixed, unstable and unclear ideologies. Equally the space where radicalisation occurs has changed: from more typical social work intervention within the family towards online forums that require Contextual Safeguarding approaches (Firmin, 2020). Social work in this area operates in a ‘pre-criminal’ space, identifying those vulnerable to radicalisation and offering them preventative support.
Awareness of radicalisation and extremism was brought into the remit of social work through the PREVENT policy, part of the counter-terrorism strategies which were designed by the Home Office following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and the 7/7 bombings in London. However, it was not until 2015 that PREVENT was placed on a statutory footing, requiring social workers to be involved in its implementation.
Key points
- The PREVENT policy raises questions about the changing nature of the social work role, with evidence highlighting ways in which social work is being drawn into policing, surveillance and pre-crime work.
- Referral data shows that it is disproportionately young Muslim men who are being referred to PREVENT. Such referrals reinforce and perpetuate stereotypes about the association of Islam with terrorism.
- Encouraging social workers to explore and question the underlying assumptions made within the PREVENT policy, particularly in relation to race and religion, can help social workers to challenge discriminatory practice and resist the co-option of social work into potentially oppressive policies.
- Understanding and recognising whiteness as at the core of social work histories, knowledge and practice is crucial in decentring it. Incorporating an intersectional approach (Crenshaw, 1989) can help practitioners to reclaim a social justice-oriented social work practice and uphold anti-oppressive and anti-racist values.
Click here to read full article, first published in Insight on 18 Oct 2023
Sophie Shall is a member of the BME-Migrant Advisory Group (B-MAG)
BME-Migrant Advisory Group (B-MAG) 