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Keeping children safe

Bullying

Bullying is behaviour that hurts someone else – such as name calling, hitting or pushing, spreading rumours, threatening or undermining someone. Bullying can have a serious, long-term effect on a child. It might not be physical abuse – bullying can be emotional or verbal, involve racism or even take place online (also known as cyberbullying). It’s usually repeated over a long period of time.

Unfortunately, bullying can happen anywhere, both in and out of school, and parents, carers, teachers and other professionals have a duty to take action if they suspect or discover that a child is being bullied.

Bullying that happens online, using social networks, games and mobile phones, is often called cyberbullying. A child can feel like there’s no escape because it can happen wherever they are, at any time of day or night. Find out more about cyberbullying.

Bullying can include:

  • name calling
  • making things up to get others into trouble
  • hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving
  • stealing others belongings/money
  • damaging others belongings
  • taking friends away to make someone feel excluded
  • cyberbullying
  • spreading rumours
  • threats and intimidation
  • making silent or abusive phone calls.

Bullies can also frighten others to the extent that they don’t want to go to school, and pretend to be ill to avoid them.

Recognising the signs

It is important to understand the impact of bullying and recognise the signs. Examples could include:

  • coming home with cuts and bruises
  • torn clothes
  • asking for stolen possessions to be replaced
  • ‘losing’ dinner money
  • falling out with previously good friends and being rejected by peers
  • being moody and bad tempered
  • wanting to avoid leaving the house
  • aggression with brothers and sisters
  • academic progress may suffer
  • insomnia
  • anxiety and insecurity
  • being quiet and withdrawn
  • presenting as unhappy and with low self-esteem
  • poor attendance at school.

If you suspect or discover that your own child or a child that you know is being bullied at school talk to their teacher or the head teacher. The school should have a bullying policy on their website.

If you are concerned about a child that you know, try to talk to their parents or carers.

Safeguarding practice guidance for professionals about bullying, including the risks, indicators and protection action to be taken, can be found in the Devon Children and Families Partnership Procedures Manual.

Getting help

NSPCC

Offers excellent advice and information about what to do if you think your child is being bullied. They also have resources for professionals and teachers about bullying.

nspcc.org.uk

0808 800 5000

Bullying UK

Family Support Workers offer support and advice through a confidential helpline. You can also share experiences and advice with other parents on the forums.

bullying.co.uk

0808 800 2222

Childline

Children and young people aged under 19 can call the confidential helpline (available 24 hours a day) or chat online with a counsellor.

childline.org.uk

0800 1111

Anti-Bullying Alliance

An alliance of organisations and individuals working together to stop bullying and create safer environments. Useful tools and information section for parents and those who work with children.

anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Anti Bullying Programme

The Diana Award's Anti-Bullying Campaign involves a number of different projects aimed at reducing bullying in schools including the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors programme.

antibullyingpro.com

GOV.UK

Bullying at school and the law - what your school and the police must do about bullying and how you should report it.

gov.uk/bullying-at-school

If you are concerned that a child is being abused please call

0345 155 1071

or email mash@devon.gov.uk.

If it’s an emergency call 999


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