DRAFT Anti-Bullying Policy For

DRAFT Anti-Bullying Policy for

Give Kids a Chance (GKAC) Definition of bullying behaviour

Bullying Behaviour leaves people feeling helpless, frightened, anxious, depressed, and demeaned. The formal definition of bullying has four elements, all of which must be present for there to be bullying. These are, negative behaviours against a person, persistence, imbalance of power and harmful effects, irrespective of age or sex.

The effects of bullying behaviours

Bullying behaviours hurt. No one deserves to experience bullying behaviour and the negative impact this can have on a young person’s mental health and wellbeing. Everybody has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Young people who have been accused of bullying behaviour need to learn different ways of behaving. GKAC has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying behaviour.

Why we want this policy?

Give Kids a Chance is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of the young people we work with. Bullying behaviour of any kind is unacceptable in our project. If bullying behaviour does occur, young people should be able to tell someone and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. GKAC cannot be consistent or fair in how it addresses bullying behaviour until it operates consistently from the same policy.

Bullying behaviour can be:

·  Emotional – being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically), receiving abusive or hurtful text messages and emails, receiving unwelcome attention on social networking sites, tormenting, laughing or teasing. Examples could include: hiding or stealing personal belongings, threatening gestures, making young people feel bad about themselves by making unkind comments about clothes, hair or other belongings or being targeted because of their association with other groups.

·  Physical – pushing, kicking, spitting, hitting, pulling hair or clothing, punching, any use of violence and vandalising belongings

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Discrimination of any kind – this could include

·  Racist – racial taunts, graffiti, gestures, lack of respect for cultural differences

·  Sexual – unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

·  Homophobic – because of, or focussing on the issue of sexuality this also includes Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender issues

·  Verbal – name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing.

·  Religious – sectarian, lack of understanding of other faith groups

·  Disabilist – unkind or unwanted comments and attention because of a particular learning or physical disability – remember that young people can also be carers.

·  Indirect – aimed at friends or family – although bullying behaviour is often directed at the young person the focus of that attention could be a parent, guardian or friend.

·  What should you do if you know of, or suspect bullying behaviour?

·  Report bullying behaviour to GKAC staff or volunteers as soon as possible.

What will GKAC do?

·  Incidents will be recorded.

·  The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying will be investigated immediately by the GKAC Project Manager.

·  Depending on the severity the GKAC Project Manager will aim to reconcile the parties involved – it may be that a genuine apology or raising awareness of a hurtful situation will resolve the problem.

·  If this fails parents will be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the behaviour.

·  If necessary and appropriate police will be consulted.

·  An attempt will be made to help young people change bullying behaviours.

Outcomes

·  Those instigating bullying behaviours may be asked to apologise.

·  In serious cases, suspension or exclusion will be considered.

·  If possible young people will be reconciled.

·  After the incident(s) have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be followed up to ensure repeated bullying behaviour does not take place.

Expectations and prevention of bullying behaviour

Give Kids a Chance has two Code of Conduct documents, one for young people and one for staff and volunteers which provides details of acceptable behaviours. All those involved with Give Kids a Chance are made aware of the appropriate Code of Conduct. Young people are provided with a copy in their welcome pack and staff and volunteers receive a copy in their induction packs. Anyone who knows that bullying behaviour is happening must tell someone, this could be their volunteer, youth worker, tutor or driver, or they can contact the GKAC office based team.

Objectives of this statement

·  Parents, young people, staff and volunteers should have an understanding of what bullying behaviour is and what they should do if an incident arises.

·  All staff and volunteers should know what the GKAC policy is on bullying behaviour and follow it when an incident is reported.

·  GKAC takes bullying behaviour seriously. Young people and their parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying behaviour is reported.

How this policy will be implemented and reviewed

This policy will be circulated to all GKAC young people and their parents, staff and volunteers for their suggestions and comments before final approval. Thereafter the policy will be reviewed annually.

Any comments or suggestions should be returned by 23rd August 2010 to:

Heather Wilson,

Project Manager,

Give Kids a Chance,

Denburn Health Centre

Rosemount Viaduct,

Aberdeen, AB25 1QB

Tel: 01224 555224 or email:

If you have difficulty understanding the English language, this policy can be made available to you in the language of your choice. This policy can also be made available, on request, in other formats, e.g. in large print or on a computer disk. For all requests please call Heather Wilson on 01224 555224.

We would like to thank GKAC staff, volunteers and young people for their help in developing this policy so far, to www.kidscape.org.uk for access to their policy and to www.respectme.org.uk for access to their document Policy through to Practice – Getting it Right.

Further information on bullying can be found at the following websites:

www.respectme.org.uk www.savethechildren.org.uk www.childline.org.uk

Additional Information

Signs and effects of bullying behaviour

A child may indicate by signs or behaviours that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and should investigate if a child:

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·  Is frightened of walking to or from school/ or other out of school activity

·  Does not want to go on the school / public bus

·  Begs to be driven to school/ or other out of school activity

·  Wants to leave school or stop attending an out of school activity

·  Changes their usual routine

·  Is unwilling to go to school/ or other out of school activity

·  Begins to truant / skive

·  Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence

·  Starts stammering

·  Attempts or threatens suicide or runs away

·  Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares

·  Feels ill in the morning

·  Begins to do poorly in school work

·  Comes home with clothes torn or books damaged

·  Has possessions which are damaged or “go missing”

·  Asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)

·  Has dinner or other monies continually “lost”

·  Has unexplained cuts or bruises

·  Comes home starving (money / lunch or snack has been stolen)

·  Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable

·  Is bullying other children or siblings

·  Stops eating

·  Is frightened to say what is wrong

·  Gives improbable excuses for any of the above

·  Is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone

·  Is nervous or jumpy when a cyber message is received

·  Shows signs of self harming

·  Is unusually shy or quiet

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These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

Rights of the Child

It is every child’s right not to be bullied. The European Convention on Human Rights guarantees rights for everyone, including young people. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 is more specific and concentrates on survival, development and participation rights. Children need to be protected from bullying behaviour so that they can survive, develop and participate in a fulfilling life.

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