Professionals working in schools
All schools must by law have an Anti-bullying policy, although this may be part of the school’s general behaviour policy. We believe that schools must take a ‘whole school approach’ to bullying if they are to tackle it effectively. This means that everyone involved in a school, including administrative staff, caretakers and cleaners, children/young people, dining room assistants, governors, parents/carers, teaching staff and volunteers must be involved in developing and implementing the school’s approach to bullying. Taking a whole school approach will promote ownership of the policy and consistency in its implementation.
Developing/reviewing your school policy therefore needs to be more than a paper exercise. It provides an opportunity for you to involve the whole school community in exploring bullying in its different forms and agreeing how to tackle it. Some key questions to ask yourself are:
· Who has had input into the development of the policy?
· How is it publicised?
· Who has lead responsibility for ensuring it is implemented, and how is that monitored?
· How will you know if it is effective?
· When and how will it be reviewed again?
Download the documents below to help your school develop, implement and review your Anti-bullying policy:
All schools need to review their Anti-bullying policies following changes to the law in September 2007 - briefing packs were sent to all schools in October 2007. All of the information in the packs is now available from this site but if you would prefer to receive further copies of the original pack email us now.
The Anti-bullying Alliance have produced an audit toolkit for schools with questionnaires for pupils, parents/carers and staff – you can download it from the ABA website or email us and we’ll send you a copy.
All schools are encouraged to sign up to the national Anti-Bullying Charter
The Healthy Schools Programme includes criteria relating to bullying (Ref. 4.6). We can help schools work toward this.
The SEAL materials provide anti-bullying resources for PSHE and assemblies as well as a useful audit tool for schools to use.
School governors have key responsibilities in relation to a school’s anti-bullying practice. This includes investigating complaints about bullying. Download our guide for governors here.
There are a range of agencies that can provide practical support and training to schools in relation to anti-bullying work – download our useful contacts list for more information
We have a small number of resources for professionals to borrow - download our resource list here
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