18th International Conference

Pre-Conference Workshop - Think: Protect: Connect - Safeguarding Young People from the Risk of Radicalisation

Tuesday 9 April 2019, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm

What the workshop will cover

There have been a number of high profile cases of young people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) being radicalised by both far-right and jihadist extremist groups, with ASC seen as a part of the ‘pathways to radicalisation’ that extremists groups seek to exploit in individuals they target for recruitment [O’Neill & Simpson: 2015.

Think: Protect: Connect (funded by the Home Office) sought to equip young people with ASC with the skills and strategies to both protect themselves and build resilience to the risks posed by extremists groups and was underpinned by three key overarching principles. These included:

• Fewer people holding attitudes, beliefs and feelings that oppose shared values
• An increased sense of belonging by young people and parents/carers
• More resilient communities

At the heart of this project was the development of an early help tool, comprising of a range of ‘autism friendly’ resources to provide young people with a counter-narrative to extremist arguments that seek to promote intolerance, prejudice and extremism ideas.

By the end of the course delegates will be able to:

• Understand the vital role professionals play in safeguarding young people from radicalisation and extremism
• Strengthen their confidence, skills and knowledge in debating sensitive and controversial issues
• Have a detailed understanding of the resources to embed learning immediately
• Examine positive ways to challenge extremist narratives and promote the exchange of ideas among young people through the promotion of critical thinking skills

Workshop presenter

The workshop will be led by:

• John Khan: Co-director of Priority 1-54 and Lead Practitioner for Anti-Bullying, Prevent and Wellbeing

Find out more about the workshop here