Quality Control and Management in Countering Violent Extremism Programmes: A Guideline

Introduction

Countering violent extremism (CVE) is a complex and critical task requiring precision, adaptability, and evidence-based practices. To ensure the effectiveness of CVE programmes, robust quality control and management systems must be implemented. This article outlines a comprehensive framework for structuring and managing quality assurance within CVE efforts, drawing on the scientific and operational principles utilised by the Competence Center Against Extremism in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany (konex) at the State Bureau in Criminal Investigation (Landeskriminalamt).

The quality assurance cycle is designed as a continuous improvement process and comprises seven key components. These components are not hierarchical but are instead parts of a dynamic and mutually reinforcing network. Components I-IV pertain to the individual counselling level, i.e., case management, while Components V-VII address structural aspects of counselling activities and the programme in general.

Effective CVE programmes rely on regular risk assessments to track client progress and prioritise interventions.

The following article briefly outlines the various components of the quality assurance cycle developed at konex. The foundation for quality assurance in exit counselling at konex is the handbook: "Structural quality standards for work to intervene with and counter violent extremism".

Building a Scientific Foundation

At the core of quality assurance in CVE is a solid scientific, evidence base. Ideally, a CVE programme with high structural integrity should include a dedicated research division to accompany and complement operational counselling work. Within the quality assurance cycle, the scientific evidence base forms the core of all activities of the CVE programme and ensures the continuous evolution and adaptation to the evolving evidence and threat landscape. The key responsibilities for the research division or scientific core of the quality assurance cycle include:

• Research and Development: Conducting fundamental research on radicalisation and deradicalisation processes ensures that interventions are grounded in current knowledge. This includes for example informing the theory of change that is set for each client by the responsible counsellors and highlights the importance of combining scientific expertise and evidence with the day-to-day counselling work.
• Monitoring of the State of the Art in CVE Research and Practice: Continuous screening of relevant high quality empirical research pertaining to CVE counselling and exchange with other practitioners or researchers keeps the programme up to date with the latest developments in academic research and practitioner experiences in other countries or programmes.
• Staff Training: Professional onboarding and continuing education programmes enhance the expertise of personnel, focusing on topics such as extremist ideologies and intervention methodologies.
• Evaluation and Adaptation: Developing new counselling methods and continuously evaluating existing approaches ensures interventions remain effective and relevant.
• Knowledge Dissemination: Regular updates through training sessions, dedicated scheduled meetings, and tailored workshops integrate the latest research findings into exit counselling practices.
• Innovation: Initiating further development or adaptation processes within exit counselling (e.g., process workflows, impact theories, development of new operational areas, or reorientation of procedures), guided by the latest evidence base.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Internal evaluations, including final interviews with clients, provide critical insights for refining practices and methods.

This scientific grounding ensures that quality control measures are not only systematic but also adaptive to emerging challenges and evidence.

Module I: Standardised Intake Processes

For practical CVE counselling work, the first step in ensuring quality is implementing a standardised intake process. This can for example be done through an interview aiming to:

• Identify risk factors, needs, radicalisation drivers, and disengagement motivations.
• Describe the client’s current life situation and everyday challenges.
• Facilitate method selection and intervention planning.
• Systematise the information gathering process to feed into risk management tools.

This standardised approach ensures that each client's needs are comprehensively assessed and documented, enabling tailored and effective interventions. Furthermore, this initial intake process provides the basic information and documentation to allow smooth transition between counselling teams should this be necessary. Supporting elements, such as initial telephone interview guides and data protection declarations, further enhance this process' rigour.

Module II: Regular Risk Assessments Inform Risk and Case Management

Effective CVE programmes rely on regular risk assessments to track client progress and prioritise interventions. Used for example biannually on each client, these assessments can use one of a variety of tools (e.g., VERA-2R, TRAP-18, ERG 22+) and serve two primary purposes:

1. Risk and Protective Factors: Providing a standardised measure of these factors enables systematic counselling and intervention planning.
2. High-Risk Identification: Highlighting cases that require immediate attention and notifying relevant authorities when necessary.

To ensure accuracy, staff must receive ongoing training on using the risk assessment and management tool employed by the programme. This systematic approach ensures consistency and reliability across all cases. It is important to note that CVE programmes use risk assessment tools not primarily to predict violent behaviour, which is often the task of investigative units within the police or intelligence agencies, but rather to manage and monitor risk and protective factors for their clients in a comparable and easy to handle format. Furthermore, using these tools allows CVE counsellors to quickly identify those risk factors that need prioritised attention and to select the most appropriate counselling methods or network partners.

Module III: Monitoring Case Progress

Monitoring tools provide an ongoing mechanism to evaluate client progress across key life domains. Monitoring Tools aim to:

• Analyse clients’ environments and identify potential problem areas.
• Document progress or setbacks to guide counselling priorities and goals.
• Define case-specific criteria for successful disengagement.

Employing a tool with a clear structure enhances transparency and accountability in the counselling process. In contrast to risk assessment tools, monitoring tools focus on the positive reintegration of a client into society and the individual strength of long term protective factors, for example based on Kate Barrelle’s Pro-Integration Model.

Module IV: Structured Conclusion of Counselling

A structured conclusion to the counselling process is essential for gathering insights and reinforcing long-term outcomes. Konex for example employs final voluntary interviews conducted by researchers (not the counsellors) with those clients ending the counselling process, to:

• Provide client feedback on the counselling experience.
• Enhance understanding of radicalisation and deradicalisation processes.
• Contribute anonymised data to the academic community.

This final step ensures continuous learning and improvement while respecting client confidentiality. Each client of a CVE programme should have the opportunity to provide positive or negative feedback to the programme in a safe and anonymous way.

Module V: Standardised Workflows

Standardisation is crucial for consistency and efficiency in CVE programmes. Each programme should ideally have a permanent, ongoing and regular review between all units to identify and refine workflows, focusing on:

• Eliminating redundancies.
• Streamlining overlapping processes.
• Developing protocols for complex cases, such as clients with psychological conditions.

Standardised workflows ensure seamless case handovers and comparability of success and failure criteria, enhancing overall programme efficiency.

Module VI: Intervision and Supervision

Quality assurance extends beyond client-facing activities to include internal processes that support staff well-being and professional growth. Regular ‘intervision’ (internal collegial group reflection) and supervision (guided by external experts) sessions achieve this by:

• Facilitating peer discussions to address challenges and identify solutions.
• Providing external expert-led supervision to foster accountability and reflection.
• Promoting a supportive and collaborative work environment.

This culture of reflection and continuous improvement is essential for maintaining high standards in CVE interventions.

Module VII: Emergency Response Planning

Despite best efforts, crises such as a violent act perpetrated by an active or recently released client of a CVE programme may occur. A robust emergency response plan is vital for addressing serious incidents involving current or former clients. Such plans should focus on:

• Ensuring a professional and unified response.
• Maintaining organisational capacity during crises.
• Establishing clear communication pathways internally and externally.
• Provide all relevant information to the responsible investigation and threat management authorities in order to contain potential additional risks.

The plans should include detailed scenarios, reporting protocols, and contact templates, ensuring that all responses are timely, coherent, and effective. The existence and regular training of all personnel in the specifics of the crisis management protocols also function to build trust with policy makers and the public, as they clearly signal that the CVE programme in question has effective contingency plans in place.

Key Lessons

Bridging Science and Practice

The integration of research and practical application is a cornerstone of quality assurance in CVE programmes. Konex's approach demonstrates how continuous learning, structured workflows, and systematic evaluation can drive meaningful progress in countering violent extremism. The reliance on evidence-based methods ensures that interventions are not only effective but also scalable and adaptable to diverse contexts.

Practical Implications for CVE Programmes

The structured approach outlined here offers several key takeaways for other CVE programmes:

1. Invest in Research and Training: A scientifically grounded programme is more likely to produce sustainable results.
2. Standardise Key and Regular Processes: Consistency across cases enhances accountability and comparability while allowing flexibility and innovation for those components of the counselling that are individual and context dependent.
3. Monitor and Evaluate Continuously: Ongoing assessments provide the data needed for evidence-based decision-making.
4. Support Staff Development: Intervision and supervision are critical for maintaining a skilled and resilient workforce.
5. Prepare for Emergencies: A well-defined response plan ensures professionalism and operational continuity in crises.

Conclusion

The fight against violent extremism in the form of disengagement, deradicalisation and desistance counselling requires more than reactive measures; it demands a proactive, structured, and evidence-based approach to quality control and management. By embedding scientific principles, standardising processes, and fostering continuous improvement, CVE programmes can achieve meaningful and lasting impact. The quality assurance cycle outlined in this article provides a blueprint for others in the field to enhance their effectiveness and contribute to a safer, more resilient society.