Extremism and Radicalisation

Extremism and radicalisation are safeguarding concerns when a child, young person, or adult may be vulnerable to being drawn into harmful extremist ideas, groups, or activity. In pharmacy settings, you are unlikely to see the whole picture, but you may notice changes in behaviour, language, presentation, or relationships that raise concern. As with other safeguarding issues, your role is not to investigate beliefs or challenge people directly. It is to notice worrying patterns and share concerns through the proper route.^[1][9]

Radicalisation rarely happens because of one single factor. People may be vulnerable for different reasons, including isolation, grievance, trauma, mental ill-health, exploitation, a need to belong, or influence from others online or in person. That is why it is important to stay curious without jumping to conclusions. In the UK, this is treated as a Prevent-related safeguarding concern, so the focus is on vulnerability and risk, not on making assumptions based on faith, ethnicity, politics, or appearance.^[4][5][2]

What Might Raise Concern

In pharmacy practice, concerns may arise from patterns such as:^{[2] [1][2]}

• sudden changes in language, behaviour, or strongly us-and-them thinking
• fixation on violent extremist material or repeated comments supporting harm
• increased secrecy, withdrawal, or being influenced by controlling individuals
• a child or adult seeming vulnerable, angry, isolated, or easily drawn in by others

The safest response is to notice concerning change, avoid stereotyping, and share your concern if vulnerability to radicalisation seems possible.

Your Role in Practice

This matters because a pharmacy interaction may reveal only a fragment, yet fragments can still be important. A young person collecting medication may make repeated violent comments that represent a clear change from before. An adult may seem increasingly isolated and influenced by someone who dominates the conversation. These details do not prove radicalisation, but they may indicate vulnerability that deserves attention.^[7][6][2]

If you are worried, record what was actually said or observed and follow the safeguarding process. Focus on facts rather than labels. Good safeguarding practice here means professional curiosity, respectful observation, and timely escalation, so that concerns can be assessed by the right people without delay.^[6][7]

References (numbered in text) Why we include references

1. HM Government. (2023). Prevent duty guidance: for England and Wales (statutory guidance). Find (opens in a new tab)
2. Home Office. (2023). Channel duty guidance: protecting people susceptible to radicalisation. Find (opens in a new tab)
3. NHS England. Prevent (healthcare safeguarding guidance). (Web) Find (opens in a new tab)
4. Borum, R. (2011). Radicalization into Violent Extremism: A Review of Social Science Theories. Journal of Strategic Security, 4(4). Find (opens in a new tab)
5. McCauley, C., & Moskalenko, S. (2011). Friction: How Radicalization Happens to Them and Us. Oxford University Press. Find (opens in a new tab)
6. HM Government. (2026). Working together to safeguard children: a guide to multi-agency working to help, protect and promote the welfare of children. Find (opens in a new tab)
7. NHS England. (2017). Practical guidance on the sharing of information and information governance for all NHS organisations specifically for Prevent and the Channel process. Find (opens in a new tab)
8. NSPCC Learning. (2024). Radicalisation and child protection (guidance for professionals). Find (opens in a new tab)
9. NHS Pharmacy Safeguarding Guide. (August 2023). Pharmacy safeguarding guidance including extremism and radicalisation (sector guidance). Find (opens in a new tab)