3.2 Bullying

Contents

1. Definition of Bullying
2. Actions and Prevention
3. Dealing with Incidents of Bullying
4. Recording and Notifications

1.Definition of Bullying

Bullying may be defined as deliberately hurtful behaviour, involving an abuse of power and usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves.

• It can be inflicted on a child by another child or an adult.
• It can take many forms, but the three main types are:
• Physical - for example, hitting, kicking , shoving, theft
• Verbal - for example, threats, name calling, racist or homophobic remarks 
• Emotional - for example, isolating an individual from activities/games and the social acceptance of their peer group
• In addition, children and young people can be bullied via new technologies, for example: inter-net chat rooms and social networking sites, mobile phones and text messaging.

Bullying often starts with apparently trivial events such as teasing and name calling which nevertheless rely on an abuse of power.  Such abuses of power, if left unchallenged, can lead to more serious forms of abuse, such as domestic violence, racial attacks and sexual offences.

2. Actions and Prevention

Staff should be given opportunities through training programmes to develop their skills in tackling bullying. Staff, parents and children should be made aware of the Children's Centres commitment to provide a safe and caring environment where bullying is not tolerated by anyone working or attending the Children's Centre.

Staff should use and recommend anti-bullying materials to be used in work activities and projects within the settings.

A parent or child should be able to approach any member of staff within the setting with personal concerns.

Support should be offered to parents and children for whom English is not their first language to communicate needs and concerns.

A parent or child being bullied should be listened to in an appropriate setting.  They should have their concerns addressed and will be told of the action to be taken.

A child or parent suspected of bullying should be listened to in an appropriate setting.  Staff should present them with the established facts, following the investigation of any allegation.  Staff should help the child to understand the seriousness and damaging consequences of their bullying behaviour and the reasons for any action taken.

Consideration should always be given to the existence of any underlying issues in relation to race, gender and sexuality.  This should be addressed and challenged accordingly.

A range of active listening techniques which provide a more helpful response include:

THE LISTENER	Listening patiently with full attention, encouraging, clarifying, restating
THE DETECTIVE	Investigating the situation sensitively and patiently
THE SUPPORTER	Seeing their side, acknowledging and allowing expression of their feelings
THE COACH	Checking out what help is being asked for and offering practical, realistic help.

3. Dealing with Incidents of Bullying

Creating an Anti-Bullying climate that is conducive to equality of opportunity, co-operation, and mutual respect for differences can be achieved by, for example:

• Low Tolerance of Minor Bullying - "Nipping in the bud" the incidents at the earliest sign.
• Never ignoring victims of bullying, always showing an interest/concern.
• Publicly acknowledging the bullied child's distress.
• Organising quality groups/circles, which allow children to work together to identify their own problems, causes and solutions with sensitive facilitators.
• It is important when addressing bullying behaviour by another child to avoid accusations, threats or any responses that will only lead to the child being uncooperative, and silent.

The focus should be on the bullying behaviour rather than the child and where possible the reasons for the behaviour should be explored and dealt with. A clear explanation of the extent of the upset the bullying has caused should be given and encouragement to see the bullied child's points of view.

The children (bully and bullied) should then be closely monitored. The times, places and circumstances in which the risk of bullying is greatest should be ascertained and action taken to reduce the risk of recurrence.  Whatever plan of action is implemented after the above issues have been identified, the plan must be reviewed with regular intervals and amended if necessary to ensure that the bullying has ceased.

4. Recording and Notifications

Any incident or allegation of bullying must be reported to the Manager, must be investigated and should be recorded in an Incident Report, see Incidents Procedure.

If the bullying is serious e.g. involves a physical assault, as well as seeking medical attention where necessary, consideration should be given to whether there are any child/adult protection issues to consider and the Line Manager must be consulted with a view to making a referral for a Child or Adult Protection Enquiry (see Milton Keynes Local Safeguarding Children Procedures or Adult Protection Procedures). Consideration should also be given to referring to the police, as a criminal offence may have been committed.

End