STATS show that one child per class has been bullied every day for the past six months, but what can parents do to help?
If your kid is being harassed in school, you should bring the matter up with teachers and you may be entitled to take legal action.
Some forms of bullying are illegal and can be reported to the police, and you can even contact 999 if the person is in immediate danger.
This can cover cases involving violence or assault, theft, repeated harassment like abusive calls or text, and hate crimes.
By law, all state schools should have a behaviour policy in place to prevent bullying among pupils, and this is determined by each school.
Each school may deal with bullying differently, but you can complain if you feel they haven’t dealt with your concerns appropriately.
What does the law say about schools?
According to the Section 175 Education Act 2002, there is a legal duty for schools to take all reasonable measures to ensure that risks of harm to children’s welfare are minimised.
They should also take all appropriate action to address concerns about the welfare of a child and work to agreed local policies and procedures in full partnership with other local agencies.
Meanwhile, the Section 89 Education Inspections Act 2006, says head teachers should determine measures with a view to encouraging good behaviour and respect for others on the part of pupils, and, in particular, preventing all forms of bullying amongst pupils.
The Children Act 1989 says a bullying incident should be addressed as a child protection concern when there is ‘reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm’.
If this is the case, the school staff should report their concerns to their local authority children’s social care.
TOP TIPS ON HOW PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR KIDS COMBAT BULLYING
- TALK TO YOUR KIDS – Parents need to explain that if they are being bullied, it’s not their fault and that bullying isn’t OK.
- TIME OUT – Try to make sure young people get some time out if they are being bullied. This might mean taking time away from iPads, computers or phones.
- BUILD CONFIDENCE – Find things they can do that make them feel good. This could be just spending time with people they like, playing a musical instrument or doing a sport they enjoy.
- TEACH 'SAFE' INTERNET USE – With online bullying, there is no escape. You have to make sure they get a break from it and teach children how to stay safe online so they know how to block abusive or humiliating messages.
- REPORT ONLINE ABUSE – Report any abusive content to the site involved. They are more likely to take a video down if the child or parent makes the report themselves.
- GO TO THE SCHOOL – Speak to whoever your child has the most positive contact with in school. Find out the school’s anti-bullying policy and ask them to work with you to keep your child safe and ensure they enjoy their education.
- KEEP A DIARY – It can be useful to keep a log of what’s happened so that if you do speak to a teacher you have all the evidence in front of you.
Can you sue a school?
Bullying UK advises that taking legal action against a school is possible, but should be a last resort and you should be prepared for a “long and unpleasant battle”.
They suggest that if you are keen to go down this avenue, you should see a local solicitor for half an hour of free legal advice to determine if it should be pursued.
It can be difficult to obtain legal funding, but if you do take action, a solicitor will review your papers, and take counsel’s opinion.
THE SUN'S BLOCK THE BULLYING CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO TACKLE ABUSE
Bullying is the biggest threat faced by children today, a parents’ survey has revealed.
Six in ten adults say they fear their youngsters being victimised in or outside school more than any other risk.
They listed it well above sexual abuse, drug addiction, boozing and smoking a their greatest concern.
The everyday fears of parents were laid bare in a survey by telly presenter and campaigner Martin Roberts.
The Sun recently launched a Block the Bullying Campaign with the NSPCC – calling on internet companies to take down sickening videos of children attacking other children.
You will then see a barrister who will inform you if you have a case, and then will compile a written opinion.
Last year, The Times reported how a teen was suing one of Scotland’s top private schools for £50,000 over allegations she was bullied to the brink of suicide.
The former pupil says the school failed to protect her adequately from physical and cyberbullying, and she self-harmed and had a failed suicide bid as a result.
However, in 2002, two teens from north east England lost their county court claim over bullying, when a judge ruled the school had tried to resolve the issue.
For further advice on whether you have grounds to sue, you can speak to Coram Children's Legal Centre on 0808 802 0008.
SCHOOLS' DUTY TO SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN
Section 175 Education Act 2002
This section places a legal duty on maintained schools and Local Authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Section 175 requires two types of arrangements to be used:
- to take all reasonable measures to ensure that risks of harm to children’s welfare are minimised;
- to take all appropriate action to address concerns about the welfare of a child, or children, working to agreed local policies and procedures in full partnership with other local agencies
Section 89 Education Inspections Act 2006
Head-teachers of maintained schools and academies must determine measures with a view to encouraging good behaviour and respect for others on the part of pupils, and, in particular, preventing all forms of bullying amongst pupils.
The measures determined by the head-teacher must be publicised in the form of a written document (anti-bullying policy).
Children Act 1989
A bullying incident should be addressed as a child protection concern when there is ‘reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm’. If this is the case, the school staff should report their concerns to their local authority children’s social care.
The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (Part 3)
Academies and independent schools are required to ensure that arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school. The proprietor must ensure that bullying at the schools is prevented in so far as reasonably practicable, by the drawing up and implementation of an effective anti-bullying policy.
Bullying is one of a parent’s worst nightmares. But sadly it is on the rise, with nearly 20,000 calls to Childline in 2017-18 about bullying.
Wendy Robinson from the charity says: “These experiences can have a devastating impact, leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression and, in the very worst cases, suicide.
“Whether it’s happening online or in the real world, it is vitally important that any young person who is experiencing bullying talks to someone they trust, be it a friend, parent, teacher or a Childline counsellor.”
Some 45 per cent of kids aged 11 to 16 suffered abuse in person at least once.
A third were targeted online at least once. And 87 per cent saw pupils bullying each other.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance, which polled 1,000 children, believes four per cent are bullied daily — the equivalent of one per class.
- Youngsters can call Childline on 0800 11 11
- Adults can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000
- Or go to: nspcc.org.uk/bullying
A nine-year-old girl hit back at bullies who made her ‘miserable and lonely’ after her new school makes her feel strong, ‘kinda funny’ and like a good friend.
And girls create incredible anti-bullying video after one of them was victimised at school.
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