THE WELB’s ANTI-BULLYING STRATEGY 3 YEAR STRATEGY

Why? Number of bullying referrals across services raised a number of issues –Consistency of approach –Duplication/contrasting advice –Efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery –Focus on intervention strategies

Legislation –European Convention on Human Rights (1953) –Health and Safety at Work NI Order (1978) –UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1991) (UNCRC) –NI Childrens Order (1995) –Human Rights Act (1998) –Education NI Order (1998) –Education and Libraries Order (NI) (2003) Need for WELB to have an agreed Anti-Bullying Strategy

2002/03 Establishment of Anti-Bullying Strategy Group –Representative of Board’s Services –Various working groups established to implement strategy DEVELOPMENT OF WELB’s 3 Year Anti-Bullying Strategy

THE WELB’s Anti-Bullying Strategy Development of WELB Policy for service delivery to schools, out centres and youth centres. –Survey of Services/audit –Clarity of roles/responsibilities –Legislation –Consultation process –Agreed Policy – September 2003.

Ongoing Staff Development of WELB Staff involved in advisory/support role. Board’s Commitment The Board has a responsibility to ensure that the whole school community and all educational professionals are pro-active in the prevention of bullying and where it occurs, adequate steps are taken to deal with the issues.

THE WELB’s Anti-Bullying Strategy TWO STRANDS Prevention – Proactive Strategies Intervention – Reactive Strategies PREVENTION 2003/2004 (WELB Policy, Page 12 – Level 1 & 2) Anti Bullying Poster Campaign (WELB Buses) Launch by Childrens Commissioner, Nigel Williams - November 2003

WELB ANTI-BULLYING POSTER CAMPAIGN AND POLICY

WELB ANTI-BULLYING POSTER CAMPAIGN AND POLICY

Promoting an Anti-Bullying Culture Ongoing school based work – whole school development – policy review/development, prevention strategies, links with other policies/school’s pastoral dimension/curriculum provision/consultation/ pupil involvement – promoting a ‘Listening School’. -Principals, SMT, Pastoral Leaders in all Nursery, Primary, Post-Primary and Special Schools. -Boards of Governor Training and Development (All School Sectors)

WELBs Anti-Bullying Strategy – INTERVENTION Reactive strategies (WELB Policy, Page – Level 3 & 4)

Procedures Pupils Who Are Bullied Immediate action – school’s policy Medium/longer term support strategies/plan Assertiveness skills Skills to build self-esteem, counselling Record keeping/monitoring Contacting parents/carers External support – BST, EWO, Child Protection Officer

Pupils who bully Immediate action – school’s policy no blame approach – restorative approach Medium/longer term action – Sanctions – school’s discipline/behaviour policy  conflict resolution  skills  assertiveness skills  counselling

THE WELB’s Anti-Bullying Strategy Staff Development for WELB Staff February 2004 – School Council UK – Accredited Staff Development Programme. Context WELB Strategy promoting pupil involvement/consultation and The Listening School Education and Libraries (NI) Order 2003, Circular 2003/13 14 WELB Staff accredited trainers (across services)

THE LISTENING SCHOOL Encouraging Pupil Involvement I am convinced that a key strategy against bullying …. is to promote participation by the pupils in real decision making … in decisions about how their school is organised on a day to day basis. Nigel Williams – 3 November 2003

THE WELB’s Anti-Bullying Strategy Distribution of Anti-bullying posters to schools with identified helplines/ contact. School Council Project with 14 schools  2 schools with established School Councils  12 schools beginning process 1 Nursery, 1 Special School, 5 Primary, 5 Post Primary

-School Council Working Group – mapping support strategy -Professor Alan Smith, UU agreed to work with a group and undertake research/evaluations. - School Council UK continue to support our Staff Development (1 Day Autumn 2004) Ongoing support for schools on request -Prevention whole school work - Intervention

MONITORING AND EVALUATION -Is it making a difference? 2003/04 Increase in number of reported bullying incidents. 2004/05 Beyond Impact -decrease in numbers -Ongoing consultation with schools re impact of prevention work WELB review/evaluation of 3 year strategy – 2002/2005. Developing a strategy for

POST PRIMARY – SAMPLE PROGRAMME ANTI-BULLYING CULTURE WELB Commitment – Policy/Poster Campaign Legal Mandate – DE Guidance Expectations of Day – Objectives of Day/Programme What is Bullying? – Workshop 1 Board’s Definition COFFEE Nature and extent of bullying in Northern Ireland Features of a school. Workshop 2 Feedback 9.30 AM AM AM AM

12.10 PM PM 1.00 PM 2.00 PM 3.00 PM LUNCH The Listening School Effective Consultation – an ongoing process Young People - Parents - complaints policy Effective Strategies - Prevention - Intervention Policy Review/Development/The Way Forward/Reflection Promoting an Anti-Bullying Culture - School Improvement Process Summary

NURSERY – SAMPLE PROGRAMME ANTI-BULLYING CULTURE 9.15 amREGISTATION 9.30 am Welcome & Introduction - WELB Commitment Policy and Poster Campaign - Legal Mandate / DE Guidance Expectations of Day / Objectives / Programme Workshop 1 What is Bullying? Boards Definition am COFFEE

11.00 amDoes bullying exist in the Nursery School? Case Study Workshop 2 Feedback Explanations for behaviours noonCurrent practice in the nursery setting for personal and social development in the context of promoting an anti–bullying culture. Workshop 3 Feedback

1.00 pmLUNCH 2.00 pmThe Listening School - What skills do children need? - How does the nursery promote these skills? 3.10 pmPolicy Development and Review - Legislation - Promoting an anti–bullying culture 3.30 pmPlenary and Close