bullying - support and information"Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It leads to an outcome which is always painful and/or distresses." Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) |
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There are different forms of bullying, such as:
physical - pushing, hitting, kicking, damage to belongings
Bullying can happen to any child, but children with special educational needs or a disability (SEND) are more likely to be bullied. However, it is important to remember that not all children experience bullying.
What can I do if my child is being bullied at school?
You should talk to your child's school if you have concerns about bullying.
Visit the Contact Website for in-depth advice at:
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/advice-and-support/sen-national-advice-service/bullying/
What must schools do about bullying?
Schools have a legal duty of care towards their pupils and a responsibility to prevent bullying amongst them.
Schools must have a behaviour policy that outlines measures to encourage good behaviour in schools. Some schools have a separate anti-bullying policy, which sets out how bullying is reported, recorded and what action will be taken. These policies must be made available to parents and may be on the school website. If not, you can ask the school for a copy.
More information
- dealing with bullying at school
- bullying outside of school
- making a complaint
- organisations that can help.
physical - pushing, hitting, kicking, damage to belongings
- indirect - spreading nasty stories, exclusion from friendship group
- conditional friendship - where a child thinks someone is their friend, but times of friendliness are alternated with bullying
- exploitative bullying - where features of a child's condition can be used to bully them
- manipulative bullying - where a child's behaviour is being controlled
- cyberbullying - nasty texts, sharing photos, instant messaging, Facebook and other social networks, including online gaming.
- verbal - name calling, insulting, teasing, mocking.
Bullying can happen to any child, but children with special educational needs or a disability (SEND) are more likely to be bullied. However, it is important to remember that not all children experience bullying.
What can I do if my child is being bullied at school?
You should talk to your child's school if you have concerns about bullying.
Visit the Contact Website for in-depth advice at:
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/advice-and-support/sen-national-advice-service/bullying/
What must schools do about bullying?
Schools have a legal duty of care towards their pupils and a responsibility to prevent bullying amongst them.
Schools must have a behaviour policy that outlines measures to encourage good behaviour in schools. Some schools have a separate anti-bullying policy, which sets out how bullying is reported, recorded and what action will be taken. These policies must be made available to parents and may be on the school website. If not, you can ask the school for a copy.
More information
- See the CAF guide below to Dealing with bullying for parents and carers of disabled children.
- It includes detailed advice about:
- dealing with bullying at school
- bullying outside of school
- making a complaint
- organisations that can help.
The Anti-bullying Alliance has a very informative website and have launched their new free Online Anti-Bullying Information Tool for parents and carers. The tool is interactive and designed to give parents and carers information about bullying. The tool will help parents if they:
- are concerned that their child may be vulnerable to bullying at school.
- are worried that their child might be being bullied.
- are aware that their child is being bullied.
- think or know that their child is bullying others.
- just want to browse