Anti-Bullying DMM

Presented by

Jan Sargeant

(Hillingdon Behaviour Support Team)

Why address bullying?

• Among top concerns• Undermines confidence and self-esteem• Impacts on attendance and attainment• Lifelong impact• Leads to ‘dramatic’ coping strategies

‘behaviour by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally’(Safe to Learn: Embedding anti-bullying work in schools)

Bullying is deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for the victims to defend themselves

(London Safeguarding Children Board, 2007)

What is bullying?

Relational Conflict vs. Bullying

• Happens Occasionally

• Accidental• Equal power• Remorseful• Effort to solve

problem

• Repeated hurtful behaviour

• Deliberate• Imbalance of power• No remorse• No effort to solve

problem

The law and guidance1) Every Child Matters: Be healthy

– Stay safe – Enjoy and achieve– Make a positive contribution– Achieve economic well-being

2) Safeguarding Children in Education – Sept 2004

3) Working Together to Safeguard Children (11.58-11.62) schools have a duty of care - both inside and outside school

4) OFSTED – Increasingly inspecting safeguarding (including ICT). 4b the extent to which learners adopt safe and responsible

practices in using new technologies, including the Internet.

5) Education & Inspections Act (2006) Headteachers must introduce measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils.

Types of Bullying

• Physical abuse• Emotional abuse• Verbal abuse• Cyber

When might children get bullied?

• Whenever children spend time together e.g. Schools, detention centres, children’s homes.

• Within families, particularly when there is a child with special educational needs.

Who gets bullied?

Anyone can be a victim of bullying, however some groups are more vulnerable than others.

What is prejudicial bullying?

• Racial• Religious• Homophobic• Special needs/disabilities• Difference and diversity

Racism/Religion/culture

DefinitionThe term racist bullying refers to a range of hurtful behaviour, both physical and psychological, that makes people feel unwelcome, marginalised, excluded, powerless or worthless because of their colour, ethnicity, culture, faith community, national origin or national status.

Homophobic Bullying

Consideration to:• What is homophobic Bullying?• Why should schools do anything about it?• How to recognise homophobic bullying• Responding to homophobic language• Prevention

Special Needs/disabilities

Further points for consideration:

• Negative attitudes to disability• Negative perceptions of difference• Greater difficulty in resisting bullies

because of SEN disability• Increased Isolation• Difficulty in understanding that what is

happening is bullying• Problems telling people about bullying

Difference/diversityLegislation relating to equality and diversity covers issues in relation to:

• Gender• Age• Race• Disability• Religion or belief• Sexual orientation• Gender reassignment

Preventative work

• Schools and provision outside schools should develop a tolerant ethos

• Publicly advocate intolerance to bullying• Challenge inappropriate language• Provide opportunities to talk and report• Monitor and publicise sanctions

Dealing with incidents• Record incidents• Stay emotionally detached• Gather additional information• Tell all involved what you are going to do• Share information with appropriate agencies/adults

(nominated safeguarding children adviser)• Make separate referrals for the victim and abuser• Monitor the situation