{"id":22700,"date":"2023-10-26T14:14:23","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T13:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings-new\/safeguarding\/guidance-policy-and-tools-2\/safeguarding-one-minute-guides\/no-54-understanding-bullying-2\/"},"modified":"2024-11-20T18:12:33","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T18:12:33","slug":"no-54-understanding-bullying-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/safeguarding\/guidance-policy-and-tools-2\/safeguarding-one-minute-guides\/no-54-understanding-bullying-2\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 54 Understanding bullying"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-abed67cc wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#understanding-bullying\">Understanding bullying<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#prevention\">Prevention<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#managing-incidents\">Managing incidents<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#reporting\">Reporting<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#accessing-support\">Accessing support<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-abed67cc wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:41.333%\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-673e268ee85da\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2023-10-26T14:14:23+00:00\">26\/10\/2023 2:14pm<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2024-11-20T18:12:33+00:00\">20\/11\/2024 6:12pm<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:58.666%\"><div class=\"document-download-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-673e268ee865a\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\" dcc-documents-downloads hide-for-print\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"content-column download-copy\"><h2 class=\"dcc-documents-title\">Document resources<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"dcc-documents-intro\">These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"content-column download-button\"><ul class=\"dcc-documents-widget-dropdown dcc-documents-widget-menu\"><li class=\"dcc-documents-widget-is-dropdown\"><button class=\"button secondary dcc-documents-widget-noarrow dcc-documents-widget-button dcc-documents-widget-download-button\" >Download<\/button><ul id=\"\" class=\"dcc-documents-widget-vertical dcc-documents-widget-menu dcc-documents-widget-is-submenu\" data-disable-hover=\"true\" data-click-open=\"true\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/ES2dNL9rdDNAgjHjMsDD7KEB0SOsgnMtrlT6CGM0k7W5HQ?e=qFQk9q\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-text\"><span>Understanding bullying (Document)<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"understanding-bullying\">Understanding bullying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important that those working with children and young people understand bullying. Children tell us that bullying happens in all schools and settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than 1 in 4 children report they have experienced bullying within 12 months, with 41% of these children saying they have experienced bullying within the last month. Children spending 10 hours or more on social media a week can double the likelihood of 12-15 year-olds being targets of cyberbullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are various definitions of bullying but in essence, all definitions include three core elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>unwanted aggressive behaviour<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>observed or perceived power imbalance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>repetition or high likelihood of repetition of bullying behaviours<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are four main types of bullying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Physical \u2013 including spitting, tripping, physical harm, making hand gestures and pinching.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verbal bullying \u2013 including, teasing, name calling, inappropriate sexual comments, and taunting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social \u2013 excluding, spreading rumours and lies, embarrassing someone in public and telling others to not be friends with individuals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cyber \u2013 sending texts, messages, videos, and emails, making online threats, posting inappropriate things about others, imitating others when online and excluding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Studies show that there are groups of children more at risk of bullying in schools:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/tools-information\/all-about-bullying\/at-risk-groups\/children-receipt-free-school-meals\" rel=\"noopener\">Children in receipt of Free School Meals<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/tools-information\/all-about-bullying\/at-risk-groups\/children-and-young-people-who-are-refugees\" rel=\"noopener\">Refugee and asylum-seeking children<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/tools-information\/all-about-bullying\/at-risk-groups\/looked-after-children\" rel=\"noopener\">Looked after children<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/tools-information\/all-about-bullying\/at-risk-groups\/young-carers-and-bullying\" rel=\"noopener\">Young carers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/tools-information\/all-about-bullying\/at-risk-groups\/sen-disability\" rel=\"noopener\">Children with SEND<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/tools-information\/all-about-bullying\/at-risk-groups\/homophobic-biphobic-and-transphobic-bullying\" rel=\"noopener\">Children who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/tools-information\/all-about-bullying\/at-risk-groups\/racist-and-faith-targeted-bullying\/gypsy-roma\" rel=\"noopener\">Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Showman children<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"prevention\">Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prevention strategies to reduce the number of bullying incidents are key to improving the welfare of the children in your care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have a clear policy and a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. Ensure that all children and staff in your school know this policy, with a particular focus on new arrivals, including supply staff.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure that children and staff understand that incidents of bullying will be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartsurvey.co.uk\/s\/ReportingBPRI\/\" rel=\"noopener\">reported<\/a> to the local authority (LA).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a clear accessible complaints policy and ensure you take all reports of bullying seriously.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide CPD opportunities for staff. <a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/tools-information\/free-cpd-online-training\" rel=\"noopener\">The Anti-bullying Alliance<\/a> has various free training opportunities, that cover a wide range of bullying topics and areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop your communities understanding of bullying through newsletters and the Anti-bullying Alliance\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/tools-information\/advice-and-support\/information-tool-parents-and-carers\" rel=\"noopener\">Information Tool.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure you monitor the levels of bullying in your setting. Many children won\u2019t freely come forward to report bullying, so having \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/tools-information\/all-about-bullying\/prevalence-and-impact-bullying\/developing-bullying-surveys-or\" rel=\"noopener\">pupil voice\u2019 surveys<\/a> is key to understanding how prevalent bullying is in your setting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Raise the profile of anti-bullying by celebrating <a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\">anti-bullying week<\/a>, which is in the middle of November.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop co-operative learning projects that encourage teamwork and reduce isolation. Planning these projects across year groups will also promote healthy relationships across all ages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teach <a href=\"https:\/\/childmind.org\/article\/teaching-kids-how-to-deal-with-conflict\/\" rel=\"noopener\">conflict-resolution strategies<\/a> by developing, <a href=\"https:\/\/selffa.com\/conflict-resolution-skills-for-kids\/?utm_content=cmp-true\" rel=\"noopener\">listening skills<\/a>, problem-solving, and skills to identify the actual problem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure your curriculum develops emotional literacy, as this equips children with important skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop workshops that include role play. This will help children to understand other perspectives, as well as providing real-life examples.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When delivering assemblies on bullying, ensure children are involved in its planning and delivery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teach children the dynamics of bullying. Often we think of bullying as having a \u2018target\u2019 and an \u2018assailant\u2019. However, teaching children the powerful influence that bystanders have on what happens next will help incidents to not escalate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have an <a href=\"https:\/\/planbee.com\/blogs\/news\/encourage-children-to-be-upstanders\" rel=\"noopener\">Upstander<\/a> ethos, teaching children how to safely be Upstanders and thus not encouraging bullying from afar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"managing-incidents\">Managing incidents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">21% of children who experienced bullying have avoided school in the last 12 months. This is three times higher than those who haven\u2019t experienced bullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Managing incidents effectively will support the targets and reduce the recurrence of any future incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensure children know how to report incidents. Having an anonymous and confidential option will support those who are less likely to report, to report.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outline to any targets of bullying what the process will be for dealing with the incident. From the LA\u2019s own \u2018Pupil voice forums\u2019 children have told us that the whole process and what they can expect should be clearer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Review the needs of the target. Putting in the appropriate support where necessary through a safety plan will help the target feel comfortable. This can be a time-out card, key worker, counselling, class changes (if they wish), toilet card, a plan for entering and leaving the school, and a safe quiet space for breaks and lunch times.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Investigate incidents sensitively, involving the parents\/guardians of the assailants. Arrange for education around bullying, its impacts and the incident to be delivered through intervention with the assailant. This has more impact than a sanction alone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check in with the target through the process and for a few weeks after the incident, to monitor their well-being.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure you ask if the target is \u2018okay\u2019 more than once. Particularly teenagers will often say they are \u2018fine\u2019 the first time you ask. Having this approach will demonstrate to the child that you are there to listen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide a mentor for the assailant. Often bullying behaviour is a symptom of a child\u2019s need for positive attention. Providing them with a mentor will help them build a positive relationship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"reporting\">Reporting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bullying is <strong>repetitive <\/strong>behaviour. It is important&nbsp;that school staff are recording \u2018one-off\u2019&nbsp;incidents and bullying incidents correctly on&nbsp;your school system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If an assailant has <strong>targeted <\/strong>an individual on <strong>two or more<\/strong> occasions, this would be classed as bullying and must be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartsurvey.co.uk\/s\/ReportingBPRI\/\" rel=\"noopener\">reported<\/a> to the LA.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You should familiarise yourself with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/inclusion\/bpriresource\/\">Bullying, prejudice, and racism incident (BPRI) resource<\/a>, as we know that BPRIs impact children\u2019s well-being, attendance and attainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is important to understand that stand-alone bullying, which doesn\u2019t include prejudice or racism must also be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartsurvey.co.uk\/s\/ReportingBPRI\/\" rel=\"noopener\">reported<\/a> to the LA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"accessing-support\">Accessing support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Through<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartsurvey.co.uk\/s\/ReportingBPRI\/\" rel=\"noopener\"> reporting<\/a> the incident to the LA, you will be provided with resources and guidance straight away to help you manage the incident. You can also request that the LA contacts you to discuss the incident, to provide further support and suggestions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Anti-Bullying Alliance has a wealth of <a href=\"https:\/\/anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\">resources<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The LA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/inclusion\/bullying\/\">bullying<\/a> webpage has links to resources and support.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding bullying It is important that those working with children and young people understand bullying. Children tell us that bullying happens in all schools and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2416,"featured_media":0,"parent":5639,"menu_order":52,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"longdocument-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-22700","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":[{"title":"No. 54 Understanding bullying","file":"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/ES2dNL9rdDNAgjHjMsDD7KEB0SOsgnMtrlT6CGM0k7W5HQ?e=qFQk9q","file_size":"","unit_type":"KB","file_type":"Document"}],"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-09-02 13:36:40","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2416"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22700"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27939,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22700\/revisions\/27939"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}