Anti Bullying Policy

What is the legalisation that underpins this policy:
Schools are under a legal duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students (s.175 Education Act 2002). “Safeguarding” encompasses issues such as child protection, “public health and safety and bullying” (DfES/0027/2004 Safeguarding Children in Education).

Summarise the main points of this policy:
Aims of this Policy

• to prevent bullying of children and young people
• to support children, young people and their parents and carers who are affected by bullying
• to build the capacity, resilience and skills in children and young people, parents and carers, to respond effectively to bullying behaviour
• to support our schools and services to develop and sustain a positive ethos, culture, and effective practices which proactively prevent and deal with all types of bullying
• to ensure provision of information, training and support to staff

Bullying is behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally. Bullying can take many forms (for instance, cyber-bullying via text messages or the internet), and is often motivated by prejudice against particular groups, for example on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or because a child is adopted or has caring responsibilities. It might be motivated by actual differences between children, or perceived differences. Stopping violence and ensuring immediate physical safety is obviously a school’s first priority but emotional bullying can be more damaging than physical; teachers and schools have to make their own judgements about each specific case.

What are your responsibilities within this Policy:

My role if I have an issue or concern relating to Child Protection (it should be made clear to students that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in respect of child protection issues) I then refer to the schools child protection officer and complete any necessary forms.

Allegations of child abuse must always be given the highest priority and must be referred immediately The designated teacher for Child Protection will then decide on an appropriate course of action Parents/carers should be aware that staff is required to follow the procedures laid down by the Area Child Protection Committee Listen with the utmost care to what the young person is saying question normally without pressurising. Don’t put words into the young person’s mouth, but note the main point carefully. Keep a full record date, time, what the young person did, said, etc. Reassure the young person and let them know they were right to inform us. Inform the young person that this information will have to be passed on. Immediately inform one of the designated teachers with responsibility for child protection