XXXX Anti-Bullying Policy

Statement of intent

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all

our members so they can participate in sport in a relaxed and secure

atmosphere.

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in our club.

If bullying does occur, all club members should be able to tell and know that

incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club.

This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to

tell the Club Welfare Officer.

Different scenarios that we recognise are:

  • Bullying may occur in the club environment between club members.
  • A club member might be being bullied elsewhere e.g. at school and choose to confide in trusted people within the club about what is happening.
  • Members of the club e.g. a coach might identify changes in behaviour in a club member that causes s/he concern. (See Appendix 1 for examples)

Bullying

  • all forms of bullying will be addressed
  • everybody in the club/organisation has a responsibility to work together to stop bullying
  • bullying can include online as well as offline behaviour
  • bullying can include:

- physical pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching etc.

- name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing and emotional torment through ridicule, humiliation or the continual ignoring of individuals

- posting of derogatory or abusive comments, videos or images on social network sites

- racial taunts, graffiti, gestures, sectarianism

- sexual comments, suggestions or behaviour

- unwanted physical contact

  • children with a disability, from ethnic minorities, young people who are gay or lesbian, or those with learning difficulties are more vulnerable to this form of abuse and are more likely to be targeted.

The club or organisation will:

  • recognise its duty of care and responsibility to safeguard all participants from harm promote and implement this anti-bullying policy in addition to our safeguarding policy and procedures
  • create an anti-bullying culture and environment. See Appendix 2 for things to avoid
  • seek to ensure that bullying behaviour is not accepted or condoned
  • require all members of the club/organisation to be given information about, and sign up to, this policy/code of conduct
  • take action to investigate and respond to any alleged incidents of bullying
  • encourage and facilitate children and young people to play an active part in developing and adopting a code of conduct to address bullying
  • ensure that coaches are given access to information, guidance and/or training on bullying. (See Appendix 3 for an example).

Each participant, coach, volunteer or official will:

  • respect every child’s need for, and rights to, an environment where safety, security, praise, recognition and opportunity for taking responsibility are available
  • respect the feelings and views of others
  • recognise that everyone is important and that our differences make each of us special and should be valued
  • show appreciation of others by acknowledging individual qualities, contributions and progress
  • be committed to the early identification of bullying, and prompt and collective action to deal with it
  • ensure safety by having rules and practices carefully explained and displayed for all to see
  • report incidents of bullying they see – by doing nothing you are condoning bullying.

Support to the young people

  • all young people in the club should know who to talk to
  • potential barriers to talking (including those associated with a young person’s disability or impairment) need to be identified and addressed when they join the club so that s/he can approach adults for help
  • children should have access to Helpline numbers
  • anyone who reports an incident of bullying will be listened to carefully and be supported
  • any reported incident of bullying will be investigated objectively and will involve listening carefully to all those involved
  • those who bully will be supported and encouraged to stop bullying
  • sanctions for those bullying others that involves long periods of isolation, or which diminish and make individuals look or feel foolish in front of others, will be avoided.

Support to the parents/guardians

  • parents/guardians should be advised on the club/organisation’s bullying policy and practice
  • any incident of bullying will be discussed with the child’s parent(s)/guardians
  • parents will be consulted on action to be taken (for both victim and bully) and agreements made as to what action should be taken
  • information and advice on coping with bullying will be made available
  • support should be offered to the parent(s) including information on other agencies or support lines.

Procedures

  • report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer, member of the
  • club committee or an adult you can trust who will refer it to the Club Welfare Officer.
  • the Club Welfare Officer will record the incident using the Bullying Incident Form (Appendix 4)
  • the Club Welfare Officer will,in cases of serious bullying, refer the incidents to the NGB welfare officer
  • inform all the parents and discuss the course of action with them.
  • the bullying allegations or behaviour will be investigated by the Club Welfare Officer by talking to both parties, individually and when appropriate together to agree a resolution
  • All coaches involved with both individuals will be made aware ofthe concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning.
  • the Club Welfare Officer will monitor the situation for a given period toensure the bullying is not being repeated.
  • if mediation fails and the bullying continues the club will initiatedisciplinary proceedings according to the club constitution.

Prevention

  • the club will have a written constitution/codeof conduct, which includes what is

acceptable and proper behaviour for all members. This will state that bullying is unacceptable in the club.

  • all club members and parents will sign to accept the constitution/codeof conductuponjoining the club.
  • the Club Welfare Officer will raise awareness about bullying with coaches, volunteers, members and parents and why it matters and how to report an incident.

Useful contacts

  • NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000
  • ChildLine 0800 1111 /
  • Kidscape
  • KIDSCAPE Parents Helpline (Mon-Fri, 10-4) 0845 1 205 204
  • Anti-Bullying Alliance

Appendix 1

Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should

investigate if a young person:

• is frightened of walking to or from the club/school

• doesn't want to go to the club/school or on the public bus

• changes their usual routine

• is unwilling to go to the club/school

• begins to miss sessions

• 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 equipment/books damaged

• has possessions “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 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 & jumpy when a cyber message is received

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying

should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

Appendix 2

A perfect environment for bullying?

  • A general lack of supervision (e.g. unsupervised toilets, sports halls)
  • Not enough equipment in gyms or the pitch for training (e.g. not enough balls etc.)
  • Areas where adults never go
  • Old style facilities with dark, secluded corners (manual light switches)
  • Coaches often not around – always with other coaches
  • Coaches too busy talking to others to notice signs/indicators or incidents
  • Whole groups queuing for equipment, meals, toilets etc.
  • Crowded locker rooms/changing facilities
  • Long unsupervised periods between structured sessions/classes
  • Coaches/staff arriving late
  • Coaches/staff who point out, shout at, poke fun at or humiliate children in front of others
  • Coaches/staff who use sarcasm continually
  • Lack of support for children and young people with additional vulnerabilities
  • Allowing ‘hurtful’ graffiti to remain
  • Allowing a culture of ‘nobody likes a tell-tale’ to prevail so people will not come forward to tell.

Appendix 3Infographic for Coaches


Appendix 4

XXXXBullying Incident Form

Location/event:
Date of incident:
Time of incident:
Nature/Type of Incident (Please tick all that apply)
Extortion / Possessions – kit taken or damaged
Isolation - being ignored or left out / Forced into something against will
Physical / Written
Verbal - name calling, taunting, threatening / Spreading rumours
Cyber - social media, email, text, posting photos/videos / Other – please specify
Names of individuals involved:
Gender / Age / Role*
1
2
3
4
5
6
Role* / V Victim / R Ring leader / A Associate / B Bystander
Where did the incident occur?
Sports playing area
Changing rooms
Toilet
On transport
Other – please specify
Are there indications that the incident was motivated by any of the following? Please tick all that apply
General appearance/demeanour / Race/ethnic origin
Disability/SEND / Sexual orientation
Gender/sexism / Gender reassignment
Religion/belief / Home circumstances
Sports ability
Brief summary of incident:
Action taken including any sanctions, exclusions, parental involvement or involvement of external agencies
Overall
With individuals noted on page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
Form completed by: / Date: