What to do If your child is a victim of

BULLYING

Some forms of bullying are illegal and should be reported to the police.
These include:
  • Racism
  • Violence or assault
  • Theft
  • Cyber Bullying
  • Repeated harassment or intimidation, for example, name-calling, threats, and abusive phone calls, emails or text messages
  • Hate crimes
Schools and the law

By law, all state (not private) schools must have a behavior policy in place that includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils.

This policy is decided by the school and governors.

All teachers, pupils, and parents must be told what it is and have access via the school’s website or be sent a copy by post or email.

Anti-discrimination law

Schools must also follow anti-discrimination laws. This means staff must act to prevent discrimination, harassment, and victimisation within the school. This applies to all schools in England and Wales and most schools in Scotland.

Northern Ireland has different anti-discrimination laws.

However, in 2023 the UK Government decided that Schools DO NOT have to record or report Racist bullying toward children 

Read Here

Further Reading

Racism: Schools accused of denying the problem

One-Third of Children face Racism

UK Schools Report over 60,000 incidents of Racism

Reporting bullying

Reporting bullying in a school in England is an important step to ensure the safety and well-being of students. Here are the steps to report bullying in a school in England:

Talk to Your Child:
If your child is the victim of bullying, start by having an open and supportive conversation with them. Ask them to describe the incidents and their feelings about what’s happening.

Contact the School:
Reach out to your child’s school as soon as you become aware of the bullying. You can contact the school by phone or email to schedule a meeting with relevant school staff. Ask to speak with the class teacher, headteacher, or the school’s designated anti-bullying lead.

Document the Details:
Keep a record of all incidents of bullying, including dates, times, locations, and the individuals involved. This documentation will be useful when discussing the issue with school staff.

Attend a Meeting:
Attend a meeting with school staff to discuss the bullying. Be prepared to share the details you’ve documented and express your concerns. Listen to the school’s response and their plan to address the situation.

School’s Response:
The school should investigate the bullying incidents and take appropriate action. This may include disciplinary measures for the bully, providing support for the victim, and implementing anti-bullying measures in the school.

Follow-Up:
Stay in communication with the school and follow up on the progress of their response to the bullying. Ensure that they are taking the necessary steps to resolve the issue.

Anti-Bullying Policy:
Familiarise yourself with the school’s anti-bullying policy, which outlines how the school deals with bullying incidents. Schools in England are required by law to have an anti-bullying policy.

Involving the Local Authority:
If the school’s response is inadequate or if the bullying persists, you can contact your local education authority (LEA) or local council for assistance and guidance.

Support Services:
Seek support services for your child if needed. There are organizations and helplines, such as the Anti-Bullying Alliance and The Black Child Agenda, that provide resources and advice for parents and children dealing with bullying.

Encourage Open Communication:
Encourage your child to report any future incidents of bullying promptly. Assure them that you are there to support them and that they should not suffer in silence.

Mediation and Conflict Resolution:
In some cases, schools may offer mediation or conflict resolution sessions involving the individuals involved in the bullying, with the aim of resolving issues and preventing further incidents.

Legal Action:
In severe cases of bullying, it may be necessary to consider legal action, such as obtaining restraining orders or pursuing criminal charges. Consult with legal authorities if needed.

Remember that reporting bullying is an important step in creating a safe and respectful school environment. It’s crucial to work collaboratively with the school to address the issue and ensure the well-being of all students.

You should report bullying to your school in the first place – or someone you trust if it happens outside school, for example in a club or online.

Tell the police if the bullying involves a crime.

 

 

Racist Bullying  

All racist bullying should be treated with the highest priority.

Schools should deal with racist bullying swiftly and effectively to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Here are some steps that schools should take to address racist bullying:

Have a Clear Anti-Racist Policy:
Schools should have a well-defined anti-racist policy that explicitly states the school’s commitment to preventing and addressing racist bullying. This policy should be communicated to all students, staff, and parents.

Promote Inclusivity and Diversity:
Schools should actively promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity. This can be done through curriculum content, cultural awareness programs, and the inclusion of diverse perspectives in school activities.

Educate Students and Staff:
Provide education and training on racism and its impact to both students and staff. This can include workshops, diversity training, and discussions on racial bias and stereotypes.

Encourage Reporting:
Create a safe reporting system where students and staff can report incidents of racist bullying confidentially and without fear of retaliation. Ensure that students are aware of this system and how to use it.

Thoroughly Investigate Reports:
Take all reports of racist bullying seriously. Conduct thorough investigations, including interviewing witnesses and reviewing any available evidence.

Support for Victims:
Offer support and counseling services to victims of racist bullying. Ensure that they have access to resources to help them cope with the emotional impact of the incidents.

Consequences for Perpetrators:
Implement appropriate consequences for students found guilty of racist bullying. These consequences should be clearly defined in the school’s policy and may include disciplinary measures such as suspension or expulsion.

Involve Parents and Guardians:
Keep parents or guardians informed about incidents of racist bullying involving their children. Collaboration with parents can help address the issue more effectively.

Educational Interventions:
Use incidents of racist bullying as opportunities for education and awareness. Hold discussions, workshops, or assemblies to address the harmful effects of racism and promote tolerance and understanding.

Restorative Practices:
Consider using restorative practices that bring together the victim and perpetrator to facilitate dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation.

Monitor and Prevent Recurrence:
Continuously monitor the school environment to prevent the recurrence of racist bullying. Implement measures such as increased supervision, awareness campaigns, and bystander intervention training.

Review and Adapt Policies:
Regularly review and adapt anti-racist policies and procedures to address emerging issues and challenges related to racism in the school community.

Collaborate with External Resources:
Schools can collaborate with external organizations, such as local anti-racist groups, to provide additional support and resources for addressing racism and promoting inclusivity.

Document and Report:
Keep records of all incidents, investigations, and actions taken. Schools may be required to report incidents of racist bullying to education authorities.

Zero Tolerance: Make it clear that racist bullying will not be tolerated in the school community and that it is a serious violation of the school’s code of conduct.

By taking these steps, schools can send a strong message that racist bullying is unacceptable and will be dealt with firmly, helping to create an environment where all students feel safe, respected, and valued.

They might deal with it in school, for example by disciplining bullies, or they might report it to the police or social services.

Any discipline must take account of special educational needs or disabilities that the pupils involved may have.

You can complain about a school if you think it hasn’t dealt with your concerns.

Police – reporting bullying

Anyone can make a complaint to the police about bullying but it’s usually a good idea to speak to your school first.

If you’re reporting cyber-bullying, keep a record of the date and time of the calls, emails or texts – don’t delete any messages you receive.