Implementing Standards to Support Formers in PCVE
Guide to Implementing Standards for Employing Formers
What are the benefits of implementing standards?
Standards are well established in other fields and can have the same benefits for P/CVE work. They are intended to reduce risks and harms, as well as increase transparency, oversight, and accountability, thus providing confidence in P/CVE programmes and adding to the integrity of the field.
Standards can reduce the steep learning curve for new organisations, streamline processes such as hiring and supervision, and provide criteria for funders to minimise risk and identify the most appropriate programmes. Crucially, the standards can provide safeguards for 'Formers' and help them become involved in violence prevention in a supportive environment.
By adopting internationally recognised standards, organisations can strengthen their appeal to funders, while building safeguards and clearer practices for staff and formers. They can help enhance organisations' public trustworthiness and credibility as a thought leader in the field.
What are the standards and how have they been decided?
The 'Standards for Employing Formers in PCVE' were agreed upon through an extensive consultation with experienced practitioners. The standards cover areas such as hiring and screening practices, compensation and professional support, and programme structures. Our work on developing standards has been recognised as a positive example by the UK government's Standards and Compliance Unit.
By using the Delphi method, we asked experienced practitioners (including 'Formers') to rate which standards they agreed was desirable or essential through two rounds until there was a high consensus. These standards were put under scrutiny at the 2024 New York workshop, selecting 44 standards that were identified as internationally applicable.
Standards in PCVE cannot be static and we are committed to revalidating these standards in 2027.
What does the implementation process look like?
Implementation of standards needs to reflect the needs of different contexts and to reflect the pressures that civil society organisations face. We are confident that all organisations that employ 'Formers' can adopt the majority of our standards (85% based on our Delphi research) due to the high levels of consensus. However implementation of some standards take time and we are available to provide support and to modify standards to reflect local needs in the 2027 revalidation.
We are working with INDEX to run an early adopter implementation programme. We will work with organisations to support their implementation of the standards. Resources will be produced that helps organisations implement standards.
Our wider ambition is to work with partners to develop a 'standard bearer' - an organisation that can help identify, implement and review standards across PCVE.
Who have we been working with?
The development and implementation of Standards requires a collaborative approach and that is why we have worked with individuals throughout the sector. Throughout the project, we have received input from practitioners from the following organisations: Life After Hate; Parents for Peace; the Organization for Preventing Violence; the Violence Prevention Network; the Neem Foundation; Christchurch Call; Moonshot; Exit Hate UK; Resilience in Unity; Exit Germany and many more. The Standards have been recognised by the UK Home Office's Standards and Compliance Unit in their annual report.
Additional Resources for 'Formers' and Organisations
Often upon exiting an extremist organisation, people want to try to help out by getting involved in violence prevention. Before they do it is important to do some research. Getting immediately involved in violence prevention work can in some cases be challenging or harmful for 'formers'. In addition to the Former Extremists book and the Standards, below are resources that could be of interest to 'Formers' and organisations.
Podcasts
Daily Former Podcast (a community of people formerly involved in the far right
Online Resources
Do's and Don'ts of Involving Formers in PCVE, Radicalisation Awareness Network
Ethics of Engaging Formers in PCVE Online
Journal Articles
After They Leave: Exploring Post-exit Distress in Former Violent Extremists
Becoming an Ex-Extremist: Stopping the Hate and Embracing a New Identity
Insider perspectives: insights from formers on their role as subject-participants in P/CVE research
Organisations
Note: this is a list of organisations we have been involved in the project and it is not exhaustive. Please contact the project to have your organisation listed.
Life After Hate (North America)
Parents for Peace (North America)
Organization for the Prevention of Violence (North America)
Violence Prevention Network (Europe and North America)