Anti-bullying Policy

August 2017
Document Quality Control
Original

Version Author Date Reviewed By Date

March 2016 Lisa Morton March 2016 Gareth Collier March 2016

Document Reviews/Updates

Document
Version Reason for Checked /
Editing Review/Update Reviewer Date Approved By Date
March 2016 Annual policy update Lisa Morton March 2017 Gareth Collier 22/04/17
Aug 2017 Welsh Gov Amendments Lisa Morton Aug 2017

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Contents

1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3

2. Definition ........................................................................................................................................ 4

3. Policy ............................................................................................................................................... 5

4. Aim .................................................................................................................................................. 7

5. Possible signs .................................................................................................................................. 7

6. Encouragement to talk.................................................................................................................... 7

7. Procedures ...................................................................................................................................... 9

8. To Students ..................................................................................................................................... 9

9. To Parents ..................................................................................................................................... 10

10. To Teachers ............................................................................................................................... 10

11. The long term prevention of bullying ....................................................................................... 12

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1. Introduction

1.1 This policy should be read in conjunction with the College’s Good Behaviour and
Sanctions Policy and Safeguarding and Child Protection policy. It pertains to the
bullying of students, not staff.

1.2 In drafting the policy the College have responded to guidance provided by the
Department for Education and ESTYN:

1.2.1 ESTYN: Action on Bullying June 2014

1.2.2 Preventing and tackling bullying October 2014

1.2.3 Cyberbullying: Advice for headteachers and school staff November 2014

1.2.4 Cyberbullying: Advice for parents and carers

1.2.5 Support for children and young people who are bullied published March
2014

1.2.6 Respecting Others: Anti-bullying Guidance Circular 23/2003

1.2.7 Respecting Others: Anti-bullying Overview Guidance

1.3 The IT Acceptable User Policy covers the issues related to Cyberbullying and eSafety,
along with the college policy of E-Safety

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2. Definition

2.1 Bullying is behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, that

intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally.
Bullying can take many forms (for instance, cyber-bullying via text messages or the
internet), and is often motivated by prejudice against particular groups, for example
on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or because a child is
adopted or has caring responsibilities. It might be motivated by actual differences
between children, or perceived differences. Stopping violence and ensuring
immediate physical safety is obviously a College’s first priority but emotional
bullying can be more damaging than physical; teachers and Colleges have to make
their own judgements about each specific case. (Department of Education 2014).
Cardiff Sixth Form College staff and students alike have a clear and shared
understanding of what constitutes as bullying across the whole of the college
community.

The Welsh Government’s definition of bullying set out in ‘Respecting Others: Anti-
Bullying Overview’ (2011) has been used with bullying being classified as:

- Deliberately hurtful (including aggression)

- Repeated often over a period of time, while recognising that even a one-off
incident can leave a learner traumatised and nervous of future recurrence; and

- difficult for victims to defend themselves against

In addition to this, bullying can also take many forms, but the three main types are:

- Physical – hitting, kicking, taking belongings, sexual harassment or aggression;

- Verbal – name-calling, insulting, making offensive remarks; and
- Indirect – spreading nasty stories about someone, exclusion from social groups,
being made the subject of malicious rumours, sending malicious e-mails or text
messages on mobile phones

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2. Policy

3.1 We believe it is every pupil's right to go to College in safety and to receive their
education free from humiliation, oppression and abuse. It is the responsibility of all
members of the community to ensure that education takes place in an atmosphere
which is caring and protective. Students are encouraged to share any problems
concerning bullying with friends, teachers and parents. Students are taught through
the pastoral programme that everyone has a duty to ensure that bullying does not
occur, and other areas of the curriculum are used to get the message across.
Everyone works continuously to create an ethos where bullying will not be
tolerated, including staff/student and prefect/student relationships.

3.2 There is a clear and widely understood procedure for staff to follow in investigating
incidents, reporting and there are guidelines for listening to victims, witnesses and
aggressors. Staff must confront the behaviour and pass on concerns to the Head of
Pastoral if they suspect bullying behaviour. All incidents of bullying are recorded,
using the systems in place for Safeguarding and Child Protection and investigated
and support is given in line with the college Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
and disciplinary measures are used in line with the college’s policy on Good
Behaviour and Sanctions.

3.3 Students are expected to report any incident or on-going problem to a member of
staff. The Head of Pastoral will log any incident and produce an incident report. In
addition to this the college Buddy Scheme plays an active role in anti-bullying, with
these students acting as Youth Ambassadors for the scheme ‘Bullies Out’. The
college also operates a Welfare Officer system, in which selected students are on
hand to offer support.

3.4 Parents are invited to contact the Head of Pastoral, the Principal, Heads of
Department, tutor, or any other member of staff should they be concerned about
any possible indication of bullying. All staff are required to then contact the Head of
Pastoral with any concerns.

3.5 The College will react firmly and promptly where bullying is identified. The College
will, in the first instance, support both bully and victim by talking the issues through,
and by providing appropriate counselling and support in order to change bullying
behaviour in line with the college Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. If the
bully does not respond to counselling positively then sanctions may be imposed
which may include: withdrawal of privileges, referral to senior staff, letter home to
parents, a record of the incident on file, a student behavioural contract in line with
the pastoral support programme, detentions and possibly exclusion in the case of
serious and persistent bullying. The College will contact the police if the bullying is
serious and persistent.

3.6 The College does not tolerate any form of ‘initiation ceremony’ intended to cause
pain, anxiety or humiliation.

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3.7 College staff will have awareness of bullying raised through staff INSET, staff
meetings, and discussions between colleagues.

3.8 Students will have awareness raised of bullying issues through the assemblies, moral
tales, stories, literature and through general classroom teaching and through E-
Safety. In addition to this, the college guest speaker programme and pastoral
programme will allow for students to be widely informed of bullying and subsequent
measures to report this – including use of the confidential online reporting service
[email protected]

3.9 The college Buddy and Welfare Officer Systems also allow for students to have
awareness of bullying and of the support that is available both internally and
externally as the college is linked to the organisation ‘Bullies Out’.

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3. Aim

3.1 The aim of our anti-bullying policy is to clarify for students and staff that bullying is
always unacceptable and that the college operates a zero tolerance, operating a
consistent approach when dealing with incidences. We wish to encourage an
environment where independence is totally acceptable and individuals can flourish
without fear. The college aims to increase respect and resilience of its learners through
instilling a sense of college community. Every student has the right to be safe and happy
in College, and to be protected when he/she is feeling vulnerable. The college also offers
support for all involved in bullying through its pastoral support programme and systems
in order to change negative behaviours and increase student resilience. Messages about
bullying are clear and are reiterated to students through E-bulletins, posters, along with
details of national and local helplines and organisations in order. To reinforce the
college’s position on bullying, messages are also conveyed through the guest speaker
and PSHEE programme, along with the college’s Buddy and Wellbeing Officer system.

3.2 In addition to this, as records are kept, these are analysed in line with learner voice and
patterns of people, places and groups in order to inform future practice.

4. Possible signs

5.1 Students who are being bullied may show changes in behaviour, such as becoming
nervous and shy and feigning illness. They may show changes in work patterns, lack
concentration or may even be truanting from College. The College is aware of the
psychological damage that can be caused by bullying.

5.2 Possible signs of cyberbullying. It is not always easy to spot the signs of cyberbullying
as it can happen all the time, which is a feature that makes it different from other
forms of bullying. Be alert to a change in a student’s behaviour, for example: being
upset after using the internet or their mobile phone; unwilling to talk or secretive
about their online activities and mobile phone use; spending much more or much
less time texting, gaming or using social media; many new phone numbers, texts or
e-mail addresses show up on their mobile phone, laptop or tablet; after texting or
being online they may seem withdrawn, upset or outraged; not wanting to go to
College and/or avoiding meeting friends and College mates; avoiding formerly
enjoyable social situations; difficulty sleeping; low self-esteem.

5. Encouragement to talk

6.1 It is important that we create an atmosphere in the College, where students being
bullied, or others who know about it, feel that they will be listened to and believed,

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 and that action taken will be swift but sensitive to their concerns. Not telling
protects the bully or bullies, and gives the message that they can continue, perhaps
bullying others too. Tutors are on the lookout for signs of bullying, but all staff have
an important role to play. This is emphasised consistently in staff meetings and
INSET courses.

6.2 The college has a confidential reporting service for students –

[email protected] which is directly linked to the Head of Pastoral who is the
college Designated Safeguarding Lead.

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6. Procedures

7.1 In the first instance, it is important to make it clear to the victim that revenge is not
appropriate and to the bully that his/her behaviour is unacceptable, and has caused
distress. Every effort is made to resolve the problem through counselling of both
parties through the pastoral support system. Usually the Head of Pastoral will deal
with the issue. At this stage, parents of both parties are informed of what has
happened and how it has been dealt with. It is vital that everything that happens is
carefully recorded in a clear factual way in order so that patterns and trends can be
appropriately analysed in order to inform future practice. If the bullying behaviour
continues, and counselling and support has not worked, then appropriate sanctions
will follow. The Head of Pastoral must be kept informed in writing by staff dealing
with a bullying issue so that a possible pattern of bullying behaviour may be
discerned more easily.

7. To Students

8.1 If you are being bullied, or you know that someone else is, please tell a member of
staff straight away and it will be dealt with. Not telling means the victim will
continue to suffer and the bully will carry on, probably with others too. We all have
a responsibility to ensure that bullying is not allowed to continue in our College. You
can report any incidences of bullying through email via [email protected]
which is monitored by the Head of Pastoral only. Or, you can speak directly to a
member of the college safeguarding team.

8.2 Try not to show that you are upset: this is not easy but keep in mind that bullies are
looking for a reaction

8.3 Try being assertive: walk quickly and confidently, even if upset

8.4 Do not fight back

8.5 Stay close to friends supportive of you and speak to a Buddy or Wellbeing Officer

8.6 If you are different in any way then be proud of your difference

8.7 Avoid being alone in places where bullying might happen

8.8 Tell a member of staff or a member of the prefect body

8.9 If the bullying is happening on social media sites take a screen shot of the message
to share with the member of staff or member of the prefect body. Further advice,
guidance and support can be found on www.thinkuknow.co.uk and on the UK Safer
Internet Website www.saferinternet.org.uk

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8. To Parents

9.1 If you think that your son or daughter may be being bullied, or he/she tells you that
he/she is, please let us know straight away. Please reassure him/her that we will
deal with it sensitively, but firmly. If your son/daughter tells us he/she is being
bullied, or we discover that he/she is bullying others, we will contact you, and will
discuss together how the situation can be improved. Please share any messages
from social media to allow us to confront the bully.

9.2 Social media sites are generally age appropriate. It is good practice to occasionally
visit sites your son / daughter uses to ensure that you are happy with the
transactions taking place.

9.3 It is recommended that young people use their devices in areas of high traffic to
allow parents to monitor the time used and the nature of the transactions

9.4 Thinkuknow is a helpful website which suggests other ways of protecting children at
home and when using social media

9.5 Dept of Education guidance for parents also has helpful suggestions about
supporting students with the use of social media

9. To Teachers

10.1 If you think that bullying is happening, talk to the students concerned and ask them
what has been happening. Either ask them to write it down, or do so yourself, so
that it can be passed on to the Tutor who will deal with the situation in consultation
with the Head of Pastoral. Ask the students to screen shot any social media activity
that amounts to bullying to allow thorough investigation. We need to be particularly
vigilant at breaks and travelling times between lessons, around corridors between
lessons and in the area of changing rooms and the toilets. These are times and
places where victims are more vulnerable and bullying is not easily seen and/or
devices are accessed to send messages which constitute bullying.

10.2 Always be alert wherever you are on the College site, or outside College with
students.

10.3 Reinforce good practice in use of devices at all times.

10.4 Respond immediately, swiftly and unambiguously to individual incidents of bullying

and inform relevant tutors/ houseparents who will provide support, investigate and
mediate/invoke the disciplinary process as appropriate.

10.5 Use the house pastoral network to raise awareness and identify ways of reducing
the risk of bullying at times and in places where it is most likely.

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10.6 Support and protect students who are being bullied and help them develop positive
strategies and assertion. They need a balance between protection and
empowerment. Keep a special watch on those involved.

10.7 Help bullies to change their behaviour. Reinforce the message with the year group
that we have a collective responsibility to challenge negative behaviours which
impact on others

10.8 Give both bullies and children who have been bullied constructive and challenging
tasks to do in their free time.

10.9 Record incidents for file and pass information to senior staff.

10.10 Inform colleagues and ask them to be vigilant.

10.11 Address areas where bullying might be more likely to happen.

10.12 Encourage all students to break the silence about cyber/bullying behaviour.

10.13 Emphasise that those who watch or are aware that cyber/bullying is happening and
do nothing about it are encouraging and endorsing that behaviour.

10.14 If the bullying is of a serious nature the College will contact the police to establish
whether the behaviour has crossed a legal threshold eg “reasonable cause to
suspect that a child is suffering or likely to suffer, significant harm”.. This is the case
with both bullying and cyber bullying.

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10. The long term prevention of bullying

11.1 The College aims to provide:

11.1.1 Positive role models in terms of communication and respect for each other.

11.1.2 An atmosphere and culture which builds positive self-images among

students and commends appropriate behaviour in all areas.

11.1.3 One-to-one contact with tutors for every student on a regular basis.

11.1.4 Reassurance that all senior students with some responsibility for other
students are sensitively prepared for this role and receive regular support.

11.1.5 INSET days for staff on how to react to and deal with instances of bullying or
possible bullying.

11.1.6 Proper internet security, filtering and ICT education. We are aware that the
ever changing world of social media creates a relentless appetite for new
forms of social media. The College recommends parents and staff access the
NSPCC netware guidance to keep abreast of the sites that young people are
accessing to try to understand some of the risks that they may be presented
with NSPCC net aware

11.2 We seek to instil values in all members of the College which should preclude
bullying. These are made known in the Student Handbook and reinforced in college
meetings and by an induction PSHEE programme which requires guest speakers and
staff to spend time talking to their groups about bullying / cyberbullying and its
effects and consequences. In essence, we seek to inculcate respect for others, their
property and their individuality. The above values should not only be addressed in
the induction programme but should also underpin ordinary curricular lessons,
meetings, lectures, tutorials, debates and the extra-curricular programme. Also,
students through the guest speaker system are given knowledge and understanding
of staying safe online. The college also has an E-Safety Policy.

11.3 It is crucial to the College’s success in dealing with bullying / cyberbullying that all
members of the community are made aware that it is unacceptable and should not
be tolerated at any time. It is the responsibility of all members of the community to
take action if they see it happening. To remain silent is to condone the action of the
bully. Staff receive regular training and guidance in order to reduce the risk of
bullying arising, particularly at times or in areas where it is most likely. If necessary,
external agencies will be consulted if specialist skills are required.

11.4 Information is crucial to dealing with the problem. Those who feel that they are
being bullied, or who are witnesses to what they believe is bullying / cyberbullying,
should always tell a member of staff. Our aim is that students, and their parents and
guardians feel comfortable and confident in raising their concerns and they should

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 be encouraged to approach any member of staff. Our aim is to prevent bullying at
the very earliest stages. All students are encouraged to voice concerns in their
Individual Progress meetings, with senior managers and through the
‘[email protected]’ email address. Suitable people might include friends,
guardians, tutors, teachers, the Principal, the Head of Pastoral, the Head of Boarding
and House Staff. We are all here to help.

11.5 Advice, support and counselling will be offered to all parties involved. While
recognising that both victim and bullies need help, the College takes a very serious
view of bullying and does not subscribe to the “no blame” approach.

11.6 Although bullying itself is not a criminal offence, some types of harassing or
threatening behaviour, or communications, could be a criminal offence. It may
therefore be necessary to involve the police.

11.7 The college uses statistics based on ‘in-house’ support from the college counsellor
in order to inform and develop future practice.

11.8 We provide suitable support and guidance so that students have a range of
appropriate adults whom they feel confident to approach if they are in difficulties.
This is displayed in the main College buildings and student accommodation and
provided to all students as part of their induction process. Through pastoral
campaigns, students are also aware of a range of external services that they can turn
to.

11.9 The college Buddy Scheme and Wellbeing Officers are used to promote anti-bullying
and these students act as anti-bulling champions as well, acting as Youth
Ambassadors for the organisation ‘Bullies Out’ in order to promote inclusivity.

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