Guidance

Channel meetings: practical guidance for designated safeguarding leads

Updated 24 September 2026

Applies to England

Preparing for your first Channel meeting

Channel is a voluntary and confidential multi-agency programme that operates across England and Wales to safeguard learners who may be susceptible to being radicalised or drawn into terrorism.

If you have been invited to attend a Channel meeting, it is because you or another professional has made a Prevent referral about a learner in your setting and can provide valuable information about their circumstances and any safeguarding concerns.

A designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or deputy DSL should attend the meeting. Attendance is an essential part of the Channel process and supports effective safeguarding and information-sharing.

Meeting arrangements

You will receive a Microsoft Teams link (or venue details, if attending in person) at least 5 working days before the meeting.

You will be allocated a specific time slot for the case. If the meeting is online, you should join promptly, although there may be a short wait before you are admitted.

Referral information

If you made the Prevent referral, ensure you have access to it and any supporting information during the meeting.

What to expect during the meeting

Introductions

You will be asked to introduce yourself and explain your role in relation to the learner.

Confidentiality agreement

Information should only be shared in line with:

• Channel information-sharing arrangements
• safeguarding obligations
• applicable data protection requirements

This includes:

• not disclosing information discussed during the meeting
• not sharing information without prior agreement from the panel’s chair
• ensuring any confidential documents are managed appropriately and not retained unnecessarily

Case discussion

You will be asked to:

• explain the reasons for the referral, if it was you who made it
• share your concerns and any relevant safeguarding information

Internet use

You may be asked to provide information about the learner’s internet use in the education setting, where relevant to the assessment.

Outcome

The panel will decide whether the individual is suitable for support through Channel.

If they accept that they are, a support plan will be developed and reviewed through monthly Channel meetings.

What to expect after the first meeting

Consent

Channel is a voluntary programme, and informed consent is required before support can be provided.

Informed consent means the individual has freely agreed to participate after receiving and understanding clear information about:

• what Channel is and how it works
• why they have been referred
• what support may be offered
• how their information will be used and shared
• their right to decline or withdraw from the programme at any time

In the case of children and young people, consent will usually be requested from a parent or carer. The panel will agree who is the best-placed professional to request that consent.

Alternative safeguarding or multi-agency support arrangements may also be considered, subject to the relevant legal and safeguarding framework.

You should support the Channel process by:

• maintaining positive engagement with the learner and their family
• providing information to the panel when requested
• encouraging participation, where appropriate

Support plan

The learner’s support plan may include actions for your setting. You need to ensure these are carried out.

If actions are assigned to you, you will be asked to update the panel on the outcomes of these at the next Channel meeting.

Protective factors

When assessing concerns about a learner, you should consider both risk factors and protective factors.

Protective factors may help reduce the learner’s susceptibility and increase their resilience to being radicalised or drawn into terrorism.

These can include:

• positive relationships with trusted adults (or peers, in the case of an adult learner)
• supportive family and peer networks
• a strong engagement with education
• positive activities and interests
• a sense of belonging and inclusion
• access to appropriate support services

Intervention providers (IPs)

The learner’s support plan might include support from an intervention provider (IP).

IPs are Home Office-approved specialists who support individuals accepted onto the Channel programme. They have expertise in extremist ideologies and radicalisation, and help people build resilience to harmful influences.

All IPs:

• undergo a rigorous recruitment process
• receive specialist intervention training
• are subject to appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in line with Home Office requirements
• must receive ministerial approval before working within the Channel programme

You may request confirmation of an IP’s DBS clearance, if required by your setting’s procedures.

Arranging intervention sessions

If an IP is assigned to the learner, session dates and venues will be agreed between:

• the IP
• the police
• your setting, if it is deemed appropriate to hold sessions in the setting

Supporting intervention sessions

You should:

• follow your setting’s usual sign-in procedures
• provide a private room where the session will not be interrupted
• clearly identify the room as a private space while the session is in progress
• escort the IP from the setting after the session
• complete your setting’s sign-out procedures

Reporting and ongoing communication

Intervention session reports

After each session, the IP will submit a report about the learner to the Channel panel. This will be discussed at their next meeting.

The panel will share copies of the report, if it agrees this is appropriate.

Regular dialogue

It is vital that any significant changes in the learner’s circumstances, behaviour or risk factors are reported immediately to the designated counter terrorism case officer.

Do not wait until the next Channel meeting.

Regular dialogue allows:

• information to be shared
• concerns to be reviewed
• changes in risk to be identified at the earliest opportunity

What to expect after a case is closed

A Channel case will only be closed when the panel is satisfied that the identified risks and vulnerabilities have reduced or are being appropriately managed.

Once a case is closed, it will be reviewed:

• after 6 months
• again at 12 months

Any re-emerging concerns will lead to further assessment or a further referral to the Channel programme, as appropriate. 

If there are still concerns that the learner might be at risk of radicalising influences or is facing a life change that might place them at risk, the panel have the discretion to:

• carry out more frequent reviews within the 12-month period
• include a further review at a specified period beyond the 12-month period

This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

If the learner needs ongoing support from partner agencies, the panel will identify a lead professional to:

• maintain oversight
• monitor any emerging concerns
• ensure those emerging concerns are escalated promptly, if necessary

In some cases, the learner’s setting will fulfil that role.