Children's tsar says anti-terror scheme failing young people drawn to violence

The government's flagship counter-terrorism initiative i…

The government's flagship counter-terrorism initiative is increasingly being applied to children who do not belong in it and require alternative support, according to the Children’s Commissioner for England.

Dame Rachel de Souza has raised concerns that a rising share of youth referrals to the Prevent programme involve minors whose fixation on violence stems from personal or social issues rather than extremist ideology. She argues that these cases are being mishandled, leaving vulnerable youngsters without the therapeutic or educational assistance they actually need.

In her latest assessment, the commissioner points to a mismatch between the programme’s design—aimed at diverting individuals from terrorist pathways—and the complex realities facing many children today, including exposure to online violent content, bullying, or mental health struggles. The result, she says, is that Prevent risks becoming a catch-all for troubled youth, while dedicated child services remain underfunded.

Dame Rachel is calling for a fresh look

Dame Rachel is calling for a fresh look at how referrals are triaged, urging closer collaboration between counter-terror policing, schools, and local authorities. She emphasises that early intervention should focus on the root causes of violent behaviour, not merely label children as security risks.

Her remarks come as official figures show a steady increase in under-18s referred to the scheme over the past two years, with many cases closed without any terrorism link. The commissioner warns that without reform, these young people may fall through the cracks, with serious consequences for their futures and for community safety.

A government spokesperson responded by insisting that Prevent remains a vital safeguard, but acknowledged that ongoing reviews are exploring how to better adapt the programme for minors. They added that multi-agency guidance is being updated to ensure every child receives appropriate care, whether through Prevent or other services.

For Dame Rachel, the priority is clear: children

For Dame Rachel, the priority is clear: children who show signs of violent preoccupation must be met with compassion and expert help, not just security measures. She plans to press ministers for a statutory commitment to fund early-support hubs in every region.