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Counter Bullying including Cyberbullying

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of:

The Principal to communicate this policy to the school/college community, to ensure that disciplinary measures are applied fairly, consistently and reasonably, and that a member of the senior leadership team has been identified to take overall responsibility.

Governors to take a lead role in monitoring and reviewing this policy.

All staff, including governors, senior leadership, teaching, and non-teaching staff, to support, uphold and implement this policy accordingly.

Parents/carers to support their children and work in partnership with the school/college.

Students to abide by the policy.

The aim of this policy is to ensure that staff are vigilant and responsive to bullying, that fewer young people are bullied or bully others, and that young people get the support that they deserve if bullying is identified.

Definition of bullying

  • Bullying can be defined as “behaviour by an individual or a group, repeated over time that intentionally hurts another individual either physically or emotionally”. (DfE “Preventing and Tackling Bullying”, July 2017)
  • Bullying can include name calling, taunting, mocking, making offensive comments; kicking; hitting; taking belongings; producing offensive graffiti; gossiping; excluding people from groups and spreading hurtful and untruthful rumours.
  • It is important to understand the difference between mocking and intensive action in this context
  • This includes the same unacceptable behaviours expressed online, sometimes called online or cyberbullying. This can include sending offensive, upsetting and inappropriate messages by phone, text, instant messenger, through gaming, websites, social media sites and apps, and sending offensive or degrading photos or videos.
  • Bullying is recognised by the school/college as being a form of peer-on-peer abuse. It can be emotionally abusive and can cause severe and adverse effects on children’s emotional development.

Forms and types of bullying covered by this policy

  • Bullying can happen to anyone. This policy covers all types and forms of bullying including:
  • Bullying related to physical appearance
  • Bullying of young carers, children in care or otherwise related to home circumstances o Bullying related to physical/mental health conditions
  • Physical bullying
  • Emotional bullying
  • Sexual bullying
  • Bullying via technology, known as online or cyberbullying
  • Prejudicial bullying (against people/students with protected characteristics):
  • Bullying related to race, religion, faith, and belief and for those without faith
  • Bullying related to ethnicity, nationality, or culture
  • Bullying related to Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND)
  • Bullying related to sexual orientation (homophobic/biphobic bullying)
  • Gender based bullying, including transphobic bullying
  • Bullying against teenage parents (pregnancy and maternity under the Equality Act)

Harassment is unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for that individual.

Examples may include

  • Spreading malicious rumours, or insulting someone (based on the nine protected characteristics)
  • Copying memos that are critical about someone to others who do not need to know
  • Ridiculing or demeaning someone – picking on them or setting them up to fail
  • Exclusion or victimisation
  • Unfair treatment
  • Overbearing supervision or other misuse of power or position
  • Unwelcome sexual advances – touching, standing too close, display of offensive materials, asking for sexual favours, making decisions based on sexual advances being accepted or rejected
  • Making threats or comments about job security without foundation
  • Deliberately undermining a competent worker by overloading and constant criticism
  • Preventing individuals progressing by intentionally blocking promotion or training opportunities

Bullying and harassment are not necessarily face to face; they may be by written communications, visual images, electronic mail or by phone.

Bullying and harassment can often be hard to recognize – they may not be obvious to others and may be insidious.  The recipient may think ‘perhaps this is normal behaviour in this organisation’.  They may be anxious that others will consider them weak, or not up to the job, if they find the actions of others intimidating.  They may be accused of ‘overreacting’ and worry that they won’t be believed if they do report incidents.

People being bullied or harassed may sometimes appear to overreact to something that seems relatively trivial, but which may be the ‘last straw’ following a series of incidents.  There is often fear of retribution if they do make a complaint.  Colleagues may be reluctant to come forward as witnesses, as they too may fear the consequences for themselves.

Complaints of bullying and/or harassment, or information from staff relating to such complaints, will be dealt with fairly and confidentially and sensitively.

HATE CRIME AND BULLYING

Hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on the nine protected characteristics.

A hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. However, a hate incident does not necessarily break the law. Where a hate incident amounts to a criminal offence, and is based on one of the nine protected characteristics, it is known as a hate crime.

The type of conduct which will be considered as a hate incident is wide ranging and includes the following:

  • verbal abuse;
  • harassment;
  • bullying or intimidation;
  • physical attacks;
  • threats of violence;
  • hoax calls, abusive phone or text messages, hate mail;
  • online abuse;
  • displaying or circulating discriminatory literature or posters;
  • graffiti;
  • arson;
  • malicious complaints.

St Rose’s ethos

Our community recognises that all forms of bullying, especially if left unaddressed, can have a devastating effect on individuals; it can create a barrier to learning and have serious consequences for mental wellbeing.

By effectively preventing and tackling bullying our school/college can help to create a safe and disciplined environment, where students are able to learn and fulfil their potential.

Our Community:

  • Monitors and reviews our counter-bullying policy and practice on a regular basis.
  • Supports staff to promote positive relationships to help prevent bullying.
  • Recognises that some members of our community may be more vulnerable to bullying and its impact than others. Being aware of this will help us to develop effective strategies to prevent bullying from happening and provide appropriate support, if required.
  • Will intervene by identifying and tackling bullying behaviour appropriately and promptly.
  • Ensures our students are aware that bullying concerns will be dealt with sensitively and effectively; that everyone should feel safe to learn and abide by the counter-bullying policy.
  • Requires all members of the community to work with the school/college to uphold the counter-bullying policy.
  • Recognises the potential impact of bullying on the wider family of those affected so will work in partnership with parents/carers regarding all reported bullying concerns and will seek to keep them informed at all stages.
  • Will deal promptly with grievances regarding the school/college response to bullying in line with our complaints policy
  • Seeks to learn from good anti-bullying practice elsewhere.
  • Utilises support from other relevant organisations when appropriate

Bullying and harassment of any kind are in no-one’s interest and will not be tolerated in St. Rose’s.  This document is designed to offer practical advice to the staff of St. Rose’s to help them prevent bullying and harassment and to deal with any cases that occur.

Bullying and harassment of any kind is unlawful, it will not be tolerated at St. Rose’s.

A high standard of behaviour is expected from the students and staff.  The ethos and curriculum of St Rose’s discourages bullying by encouraging students and staff members to respect each others contribution to the community in which they live and study.

Bullying can take place between students/residents, between staff members and students/residents or between staff members.  The important thing is not only the action but the effect on the victim.  No one should ever underestimate the fear that a bullied victim feels.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN:

Bullying will always be treated as a serious problem and dealt with appropriately.  The Counter Bullying Policy will be applied consistently, and it will never be dismissed.  Anyone witnessing bullying must ensure the safety of the person being bullied offering immediate support, and if appropriate, removal from the situation.  A physical attack should be checked by the Nurse.

The key messages to get across to the person being bullied are: ‘It’s not your fault that you are being bullied’ and, ‘you don’t have to face this on your own’.

The staff member(s) must then report the incident to the Principal, DSL or Care Manageras appropriate.  The incident must then be recorded in the incident log and the student’s care plan at all stages and an action plan agreed by the management team.

Parents of students will be informed.

The bullied person should be given the opportunity to talk to a familiar/chosen person.  A record must include what happened/treatment and actions to be taken.  This record should be available to the relevant staff and monitored each half term by a nominated senior member of staff.

TRAINING AND STAFF AWARENESS

Bullying is a topic which should be freely discussed as part of student meetings and at staff meetings, so that staff and students may be familiar with what it means and how to recognise when bullying is occurring, or has occurred, before a crisis develops.  Awareness of right and wrong should be raised through the curriculum.

PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH BULLYING

The following steps may be taken when dealing with all incidents of bullying reported to the school/college:

  • If bullying is suspected or reported, the incident will be dealt with immediately by the member of staff who has been approached or witnessed the concern.
  • The school/college will provide appropriate support for the person being bullied – making sure they are not at risk of immediate harm and will involve them in any decision making, as appropriate.
  • The Principal/Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or another member of leadership team will interview all parties involved.
  • The DSL will be informed of all bullying issues where there are safeguarding concerns.
  • The school/college will speak with and inform other staff members, where appropriate.
  • The school/college will ensure parents/carers are kept informed about the concern and action taken, as appropriate and in line with child protection and confidentially policies.
  • Sanctions, as identified within the behaviour policy, and support will be implemented in consultation with all parties concerned.
  • If necessary, other agencies may be consulted or involved, such as the police, if a criminal offence has been committed, or other local services including early help or children’s social care, if a child is felt to be at risk of significant harm.
  • Where the bullying of or by students takes place off site or outside of normal school/college hours (including cyberbullying), the school/college will ensure that the concern is fully investigated. If required, the DSL will collaborate with other DSLs. Appropriate action will be taken, including providing support and implementing sanctions in school/college in accordance with this policy and the behaviour policy.
  • A clear and precise account of bullying incidents will be recorded by the school in accordance with existing procedures. This will include recording appropriate details regarding decisions and action taken.

CYBERBULLYING

Cyberbullying may be defined as ‘the use of electronic communication, particularly mobile phones and the internet, to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature: children and adults may be reluctant to admit to being the victims of cyberbullying’. It can take several different forms: threats and intimidation, harassment or ‘cyber-stalking’ (e.g., repeatedly sending unwanted texts or instant messages), sexting or Revenge Porn (e.g., sending and receiving sexually explicit messages, primarily between mobile phones), vilification/defamation, exclusion/peer rejection, impersonation, unauthorised publication of private information/images and ‘trolling’ (abusing the internet to provoke or offend others online). It can be an extension of face-to-face bullying, with technology providing the bully with another route to harass their target.

However, it differs from other forms of bullying in several significant ways:

  • By facilitating a far more extreme invasion of personal space. Cyberbullying can take place at any time and intrude into spaces that have previously been regarded as safe and personal.
  • The potential for anonymity on the part of the bully. This can be extremely distressing for the victim.
  • The potential for the bully to play very rapidly to a larger audience so the scale and scope of cyberbullying can be greater than for other forms of bullying.
  • Through the knowledge that the data is in the world-wide domain, disproportionately amplifying the negative effect on the victim, even though the bully may feel his / her actual actions had been no worse than conventional forms of bullying
  • The difficulty in controlling electronically circulated messages as more people get drawn in as accessories. By passing on a humiliating picture or message a bystander becomes an accessory to the bullying.
  • The profile of the bully and target can be different to other forms of bullying as cyberbullying can take place between peers and across generations.
  • Many cyberbullying incidents can themselves act as evidence, so it is important the victim saves the information.

Bullying is never acceptable, and St Rose’s fully recognises its duty to protect all its members and to provide a safe, healthy environment for everyone.

Education Law:

  • The Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA 2006) outlines some legal powers which relate more directly to cyberbullying. Head teachers have the power ‘to such an extent as is reasonable’ to regulate the conduct of students when they are off the school/college site.
  • The Education Act 2011 amended the power in the Education Act 1996 to provide that when an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, has been seized by a member of staff who has been formally authorised by the headteacher, that staff member can examine data or files, and delete these, where there is good reason to do so. This power applies to all schools and there is no need to have parental consent to search through a young person’s mobile phone.

Civil and Criminal Law

Although bullying in itself is not a specific criminal offence in the UK – and by extension cyberbullying – some types of harassing or threatening behaviour – or communications – could be a criminal offence, for example under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the Malicious Communications Act 1988, the Communications Act 2003, and the Public Order Act 1986.

Any person who sends an electronic communication which conveys a message which is indecent or grossly offensive, a threat, or information which is false and known or believed to be false by the sender, is guilty of an offence if their purpose in sending it was to cause distress or anxiety to the recipient.

Preventing Cyberbullying

As with all forms of bullying the best way to deal with cyberbullying is to prevent it happening in the first place. There is no single solution to the problem of cyberbullying, but St Rose’s will do the following as a minimum to impose a comprehensive and effective prevention strategy:

Roles and Responsibilities

The Principal will take overall responsibility for the coordination and implementation of cyberbullying prevention and response strategies.

The Principal will 

  • ensure that all incidents of cyberbullying both inside and outside St Rose’s are dealt with immediately and will be managed and/or escalated in line with the procedures set out in St Rose’s Counter Bullying Policy, Positive Behaviour Support Policy and Safeguarding Policies.
  • ensure that all policies relating to safeguarding, including cyberbullying are reviewed and updated regularly
  • ensure that all staff know that they need to report any issues concerning cyberbullying to the Principal or Designated Safeguarding Lead.
  • ensure that all staff are aware of the Prevent Duties.
  • provide training so that staff feel confident to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism, to challenge extremist ideas and to know how to make a referral when a child is at risk.
  • ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities by providing clear guidance for staff on the use of technology within St Rose’s and beyond. All staff should sign to say they have read and understood the Acceptable Users Policy.

The IT Manager will

  • ensure adequate safeguards are in place to filter and monitor inappropriate content and alert the Designated Safeguarding Lead to safeguarding issues. The school/college uses a third-party web-proxy solution to filter all internet access. The internet filter records access to prohibited sites which enables the IT Department to report issues immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
  • ensure that visitors are given clear guidance on the use of technology at St Rose’s. This includes how to report any safeguarding issues to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Visitors will be given highly restricted guest accounts which will not allow any access to personal data and that any misuse of the system will result in access to the system being withdrawn.

The Business Manager will

  • ensure that St Rose’s manages personal data in line with statutory requirements. St Rose’s is aware of its duties under the GDPR (2018). Careful consideration will be given when processing personal information so that the individual’s privacy is respected where it needs protection. Access to the personal information will only be given to those who need it.

St Rose’s Governors will

  • appoint a governor in charge of safeguarding who will work with the Designated

Safeguarding Lead to ensure the policies and practices relating to safeguarding including the prevention of cyberbullying are being implemented effectively.

Supporting students

  • Students who have been bullied will be supported by:
  • Reassuring the student and providing continuous pastoral support.
  • Offering an immediate opportunity to discuss the experience with their teacher, the designated safeguarding lead, or a member of staff of their choice.
  • Working towards restoring self-esteem and confidence.
  • Providing ongoing support; this may include working and speaking with staff, offering formal counselling, engaging with parents and carers.
  • Where necessary, working with the wider community and local/national organisations to provide further or specialist advice and guidance; this could include support through Early Help or Children Social Work Service, or support through the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service (CYPMHS).
  • Students who have perpetrated bullying will be helped by:
  • Discussing what happened, establishing the concern and the need to change.
  • Informing parents/carers to help change the attitude and behaviour of the child. o Providing appropriate education and support regarding their behaviour or actions.
  • If online, requesting that content be removed and reporting accounts/content to service provider
  • Sanctioning, in line with school behaviour/discipline policy; this may include official warnings, detentions, removal of privileges (including online access when encountering cyberbullying concerns), and fixed-term or permanent exclusions.
  • Where necessary, working with the wider community and local/national organisations to provide further or specialist advice and guidance; this may include involvement from the Police or referrals to Early Help, Children Social Work Service, or the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service (CYPMHS).

Supporting adults

  • Our school/college takes measures to prevent and tackle bullying among students; however, it is equally important to recognise that bullying of adults, including staff and parents, whether by students, parents, or other staff members, is unacceptable.
  • Adults who have been bullied or affected will be supported by:
  • Offering an immediate opportunity to discuss the concern with the designated safeguarding lead, a senior member of staff and/or the headteacher.
  • Advising them to keep a record of the bullying as evidence and discuss how to respond to concerns and build resilience, as appropriate.
  • Where the bullying takes place off school site or outside of normal school hours (including online), the school/college will still investigate the concern and ensure that appropriate action is taken in accordance with the behaviour and discipline policy.
  • Reporting offensive or upsetting content and/or accounts to the service provider, where the bullying has occurred online.
  • Reassuring and offering appropriate support.
  • Working with the wider community and local/national organisations to provide further or specialist advice and guidance.
  • Adults who have perpetrated the bullying will be helped by:
  • Discussing what happened with a senior member of staff and/or the headteacher to establish the concern.
  • Establishing whether a legitimate grievance or concern has been raised and signposting to the school’s official complaints procedures.
  • If online, requesting that content be removed.
  • Instigating disciplinary, civil, or legal action as appropriate or required.

Preventing bullying environment

The whole community will:

  • Create and support an inclusive environment which promotes a culture of mutual respect, consideration, and care for others, which will be upheld by all.
  • Recognise that bullying can be perpetrated or experienced by any member of the community, including adults and children (peer on peer abuse).
  • Recognises the potential for children with SEN and disabilities to be disproportionally impacted by bullying and will implement additional pastoral support as required.
  • Openly discuss differences between people that could motivate bullying, such as: children with different family situations, such as looked after children or those with caring responsibilities, religion, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexuality, or appearance related difference.
  • Challenge practice and language (including ‘banter’) which does not uphold the school values of tolerance, non-discrimination, and respect towards others.
  • Be encouraged to use technology, especially mobile phones, and social media, positively and responsibly.
  • Work with staff, the wider community, and outside agencies to prevent and tackle concerns including all forms of prejudice-driven bullying.
  • Actively create “safe spaces” for vulnerable children and young people.
  • Celebrate success and achievements to promote and build a positive school/college ethos

This policy statement is considered part of the terms and conditions of employment of all staff.

APPENDIX 1

Guidance for Staff

If you suspect or are told about a cyber-bullying incident, follow the protocol outlined below:

Mobile Phones 

  • Ask the student to show you the mobile phone
  • Note clearly everything on the screen relating to an inappropriate text message or image, to include the date, time and names
  • Make a transcript of a spoken message, again record date, times and names
  • Tell the student to save the message/image
  • Inform the Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately and pass them the information that you have

Computers

  • Ask the student to get up on-screen the material in question
  • Ask the student to save the material
  • Print off the offending material straight away
  • Make sure you have got all pages in the right order and that there are no omissions
  • Inform a member of the Senior Leadership team and pass them the information that you have

Use of Technology at St Rose’s

All members of St Rose’s community are expected to take responsibility for using technology positively.  As well as training, the following is in place:

  • All staff are expected to sign to confirm they have read and understood the Acceptable Use Policy.
  • All staff are expected to sign to confirm they have read and understood the Staff Code of Conduct

Guidance for Students

If you believe you or someone else is the victim of cyber-bullying, you must speak to an adult as soon as possible. This person could be a parent/guardian, or a member of staff on your safety network

  • Do not answer abusive messages but save them and report them
  • Do not delete anything until it has been shown to your parents/carers or a member of staff (even if it is upsetting, the material is important evidence which may need to be used later as proof of cyber-bullying)
  • Do not give out personal details or contact information without the permission of a parent/guardian (personal data)
  • Be careful who you allow to become a friend online and think about what information you want them to see.
  • Protect your password. Do not share it with anyone else and change it regularly
  • Always log off from the computer when you have finished or if you leave the computer for any reason.
  • Always put the privacy filters on to the sites you use. If you are not sure how to do this, ask a teacher or your parents.
  • Never reply to abusive e-mails
  • Never reply to someone you do not know
  • Always stay in public areas in chat rooms
  • St Rose’s will deal with cyberbullying in the same way as other bullying. Do not think that because it is online it is different to other forms of bullying.
  • St Rose’s will deal with inappropriate use of technology in the same way as other types of inappropriate behaviour

Guidance for Parents/Carers

It is vital that parents/carers and the school/college work together to ensure that all students are aware of the serious consequences of getting involved in anything that might be seen to be cyber-bullying. Parents/carers must play their role and take responsibility for monitoring their child’s online life.

  • Parents/carers can help by making sure their child understands St Rose’s policy and, above all, how seriously St Rose’s takes incidents of cyber-bullying.
  • Parents/carers should also explain to their children legal issues relating to cyber-bullying.
  • If parents/carers believe their child is the victim of cyber-bullying, they should save the offending material (if need be, by saving the offensive text on their computer or on their child’s mobile phone) and make sure they have all relevant information before deleting anything.
  •  Parents/carers should contact the school/college as soon as possible.

E-Safety at Home

Several sites offer helpful advice to parents/carers, particularly with respect to how they can best monitor their child’s use of the computer at home. Here are some parents/carers might like to try:

The following  are useful publications:

  • DfE Advice for Parents on Cyberbullying
  • Childnet Cyberbullying Leaflet
  • DfE The use of social media for on-line radicalisation

Useful links and supporting organisations

SEND

Cyberbullying

Race, religion and nationality

LGBT

Sexual harassment and sexual bullying

  • A Guide for Schools: www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/data/files/resources/71/EVAW[1]Coalition-Schools-Guide.pdf
  • Disrespect No Body: www.gov.uk/government/publications/disrespect-nobody-campaign-posters
  • Anti-bullying Alliance: Preventing and responding to Sexual Bullying:

www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/all-about-bullying/sexual-and-gender-related/preventing-and-responding-sexual

  • Anti-bullying Alliance: advice for school staff and professionals about developing effective anti-bullying practice in relation to sexual bullying:
  • anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/all-about-bullying/sexual-and-gender-related

This policy should be read in conjunction with the following policies and documents: