RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRES IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE ANTI-BULLYING ALLIANCE

Information for
parents and carers
on bullying
VERSION 1, PUBLISHED MAY 2015
 RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRES IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE ANTI-BULLYING ALLIANCE

Information for
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH, FOR RED BALLOON
parents and carers
on bullying
05 What is bullying?

05 Cyberbullying

05 Bullying outside school

06 What are schools’ responsibilities?

08 I am worried that my child is vulnerable to bullying

08 I think my child is being bullied

10 What should I do if my child is being bullied?

14 If your child is being bullied: Flowchart

16,000 11-15 year

16 Withdrawing your child from school

16 Bullying and the police

olds are absent from

17 Information and support for children and young people

18 Information and support for parents and carers

school at any one

time due to bullying.
2 3
 What is bullying? Cyberbullying Bullying outside school
Whilst there is no legal definition of Cyberbullying is any bullying behaviour Bullying outside school is any incident
bullying the Government defines that takes place ‘virtually’ via mobile of bullying that occurs anywhere off
bullying as: devices like phones and tablets, the school premises, such as on school
through online social networks such or public transport, outside the local
“Behaviour by an individual or as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, shops, in the town or village centre or
group, [usually] repeated over time and is also common on gaming sites. cyberbullying.
that intentionally hurts another Cyberbullying can happen in or outside
individual or group either physically or school – whenever and wherever Headteachers of relevant schools1
emotionally.” children have access to phones or have the legal power to discipline
the internet. Examples of this kind of their pupils for bullying incidents that
(Preventing and tackling bullying: Advice for
headteachers, staff and governing bodies DfE behaviour include inappropriate text occur outside of schools premises, as
March 2014) messaging, e-mailing or blogging, described above. The headteacher is
sending offensive or degrading only permitted to discipline the pupil
The Anti-Bullying Alliance defines images by phone or via the internet, to a reasonable extent, in line with the
bullying as: excluding individuals from group chat school’s discipline policy.
and creating false personas to mock or
“The repetitive, intentional humiliate others. The Department for Education’s
hurting of one person or group by guidance for preventing and tackling
another person or group, where the There is strong expectation from bullying states that “where bullying
relationship involves an imbalance of outside the school is reported to
government that teachers will
power. Bullying can be physical, verbal school staff, it should be investigated
tackle all forms of bullying, including
or psychological. It can happen face- and acted on.”
cyberbullying, and in recent years
to-face or through cyberspace.”
they have extended powers such as
the specific power to search for and The guidance also states that the
Bullying can happen anywhere, at any headteacher of your child’s school
delete inappropriate images/files on
time, and can be verbal, physical or should also consider whether it is
electronic devices, including mobile
psychological. Bullying can take many appropriate to notify the police or
phones.
forms, including hitting, shoving, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator in
poking, taunting, mocking, humiliating, your local authority about the incident.
threatening, bribing, name-calling, Please note that if the misbehaviour
making offensive comments, could be criminal or poses a serious
stealing or taking and hiding personal threat to a member of the public, the
possessions, sending unkind police should always be informed.
messages, throwing things, telling
ANTI-BULLYING ALLIANCE
untrue or unkind tales about people,
ostracism and spreading malicious
rumours (this is not an exclusive list).

Bullying can be
To find out more about this
you can view the Department
for Education’s guidance
- ‘Preventing and Tackling

physical, verbal
Bullying’, which can be found
by visiting www.DfE.gov.uk

or psychological.
It can happen face-
to-face or through 1.
‘A relevant school’ means: a community,

cyberspace.
foundation or voluntary school, a community or
foundation special school, a maintained nursery
school, a pupil referral unit, or a school approved
by the secretary of state. Section 89 (5) Education
and Inspections Act 2006.

4 5
What are schools’
responsibilities?
All schools: Academies Free Schools Independent Schools

• Your child’s school is required by • Your child’s school has duty to • All Academies are required to • All Free Schools are required • All Independent Schools are
law to determine measures to ensure the safety of your child and publish a written complaints to publish a written complaints required to publish a written
encourage and promote good where there is reasonable cause procedure, which is available to procedure, which is available to complaints procedure, which is
behaviour and prevent all forms of to suspect that any child, including parents on request. parents on request. available to parents on request.
bullying amongst pupils.2 yours, is suffering or likely to suffer
significant harm the school must • The Independent School • Please note that to obtain your • The Independent School
• By law, all maintained schools act to prevent this. Standards Regulations 2010 child’s educational records from Standards Regulations 2010
(not Academies, Free Schools or state that the proprietor of an a Free School you will need to state that the proprietor of an
Independent Schools) must have • Your child’s school has a Academy is required to ensure that request the disclosure of their Independent School is required
a behaviour policy in place that responsibility to identify concerns an effective anti-bullying strategy records under the section 7 of the to ensure that an effective anti-
includes measures to prevent all early and provide help for children, is drawn up and implemented. Data Protection Act 1998. Once bullying strategy is drawn up and
forms of bullying among pupils. to prevent concerns from you have made the request, the implemented.
This policy is decided by the escalating. • Please note that to obtain your records must be made available to
school. All teachers, pupils and child’s educational records from you within 40 days. • Please note that to obtain your
parents must be told what it is. • They have the responsibility an Academy you will need to child’s educational records from an
to take appropriate action to request the disclosure of their • The Independent School Independent School you will need
• If you have not been provided a promote the welfare of a child in records under the section 7 of the Standards Regulations 2010 to request the disclosure of their
copy, or know where to locate a need of additional support, even Data Protection Act 1998. Once state that the proprietor of a Free records under the section 7 of the
copy of the Anti-Bullying Policy or if they are not suffering harm or you have made the request, the School is required to ensure that an Data Protection Act 1998. Once
Behaviour Policy ask the school are at immediate risk and also records must be made available to effective anti-bullying strategy is you have made the request, the
administrator or secretary for a working alongside social services, you within 40 days. drawn up and implemented. records must be made available to
copy. the police, health services and you within 40 days.
other services to ensure the
• Your child’s school must make safeguarding and promotion of
arrangements for ensuring they child welfare.
exercise their functions with
a view to “safeguarding and • Your child’s school should have a
promoting the welfare of children designated safeguarding officer SCHOOLS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
who are pupils at the school”. and child protection policy.

Your child’s school

This means that the school may
need to address bullying as a child • The Department for Education
protection concern, “where there (DfE) has produced guidance for
is reasonable cause to suspect all schools including Academies

is required by law to
that a child is suffering or is likely to which outlines their duties towards
suffer significant harm”. 3 preventing and tackling bullying in
schools.
• All schools (including Academies,

determine measures
Free Schools and Independent
Schools) must also follow anti-
discrimination law contained

to encourage and
within the Equality Act 2010. This
means staff must act to prevent
discrimination, harassment and
victimisation within the school.

promote good
This applies to all schools in
England and Wales, and most
schools in Scotland.

behaviour and prevent

2

6
Section 89, Education and Inspections Act 2006
Section 47 (1)(b), Children Act 1989 all forms of bullying. 7
I am worried that my I think my child
child is vulnerable to is being bullied
bullying
Talk to your child, explain to them
It is natural to worry about your Don’t panic or become over protective what bullying is and what it makes
child and bullying but you have a key – your child must be allowed to people feel like.
role in supporting your child as they experience life and form new
face challenges through childhood relationships – safe in the knowledge Ask your child if anything like this is What action can your child take?
and adolescence. If you are worried that you are always there for them. It happening to them and what it makes
that your child might be vulnerable also helps to encourage your child to them feel like. Even if your child does not disclose to you they are being bullied it is a good idea to talk
to bullying it is important that you develop friendships outside school to them about the action they can take against bullying. This is because they may be too
maintain an open and trusting and to take part in activities that If your child discloses that they frightened to tell you right now and/or they may come across bullying in the future.
relationship in which your child feels build confidence and resilience (e.g. are being bullied speak calmly and
confident to share concerns with you. Brownies, Scouts and Guides, drama reassuringly to them and discuss what There are a number of options to talk through with your child. Talk to them about the pros
Make sure you listen to them at all times and dance, martial arts, team sports, steps should be taken going forward. and cons of each option and let them decide for themselves what they want to do. Your child is
and agree the action you will take. local youth groups). It is also important the one who will put most of these options into place so encourage them, give them the tools,
Often children are terrified that parents to encourage your child not to spend Ask your child what they have already discuss the strategies with them, and practice each.
will act without their permission and all their time on social networks and to tried to do to stop it.
make the situation worse. have a healthy attitude to relationships • Walk away from the situation, avoid / stay clear of the child(ren) doing it. Make friends with
online. This includes discussing issues Bear in mind many children do not children who are not bullying others. What are the pros and cons of this? Will this even be
Depending on your child’s age and of friendship and trust online – and the tell their parents because they are possible?
development you may want to alert sharing of personal information. frightened that they will approach the
school staff to your concerns. Ask them school about the matter, make a fuss • Firmly ask them to stop (for example: “I don’t like that name, it makes me upset – please
to keep a discrete eye on your child and and make things worse, so it is a good don’t do it again.”)
their interactions with others. idea to ask your child what they think
could be done to stop the bullying. • Write a note asking them to stop. The note will say pretty much what they would have said
verbally: What, when, where, how they felt and what they want to happen now.

• Ask a witness/friend to ask them to stop.

• Tell a peer mentor or older student if this is an option in the school.

• Report the bullying to a teacher or tutor (some schools may have made confidential
provision for reporting bullying such as ‘bully boxes’ or online reporting tools).

• Make a formal written complaint to the Headteacher.

There are some additional steps your child can take if they are experiencing cyberbullying:
FAMILY LIVES
• Keep evidence of the bullying by saving content.

If you have ongoing

• Block abusive users.
• Regularly change your password and never share your password with others.
• Follow the procedures for reporting abusive content on social networks.
• In cases of threats of violence or sexualised content contact the police.

concerns you can Remind your child that if they are scared for their safety they should remove themselves from
the situation as soon as possible and tell an adult that they trust. No child should face bullying,
and if they are harmed, or at risk of harm this is a matter for children’s services and/or the police.

contact Family Lives

via their website at
familylives.org.uk
8 9
What should I do if my
child is being bullied?
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

• See notes on previous pages, • Tell the class teacher what has • If you are not satisfied with the
revisit, and if necessary put into been happening and what your class teacher’s response, you
practice. child has tried to do to stop it. should make an appointment Example of letter to headteacher or member of SMT:
to speak to the Headteacher or
• Keep talking to your child, • Tell the teacher what your child in some cases the member of
reassuring them that they have has told you about the bullying. the school Senior Management
done the right thing in telling you This may be the first time they Team (“SMT”), such as the Head Headteacher/ Member of SMT
about the bullying. become aware of the problem, of Year, responsible for behaviour School Name
so be realistic about what you or for safeguarding. You may Address line one
• Keep making notes of what your want the them to do. The teacher want to send a letter telling the Address line two
child says, particularly names, should look into the allegations Headteacher what the issues are. Town
dates, what happened and where it and take reasonable steps to stop Postcode
happened. the bullying and protect your child. • You should also ask for a copy of
Ask the teacher for a reasonable the school’s Complaints Policy (all
• If your child has obvious physical timeframe for action to take place. schools must have one). Date
injuries such as a cut, bruises,
a prick/stab wound made by a • Ask for a copy of the school’s • You should ensure that you take a
compass point, ‘Chinese’ burn Anti-Bullying Policy or Behavioural copy of the school’s Anti-Bullying Dear [name of Headteacher/ Member of SMT],
marks, cigarette burn take them Policy, and ask for clarity on Policy or Behaviour Policy with you.
to the GP so that there is a record how the school handles bullying You can then refer to the Policy RE: [child’s name and date of birth]
of the injuries or take photos that incidents. if you feel that the school is not
are dated. If your child’s injuries are following it. My child, A, has been bullied over a period of … weeks/months by X, Y and Z.
serious, you should also report it to • Make notes of what you do, the The incidents complained of are as follows:
the police. date, to whom you speak and what • If you have not already done so,
they say and do take your child to the GP and • [List the bullying incidents, including dates, times and locations]
• If your child is displaying signs inform them how the bullying is
of mental distress, for example Please note that you may need affecting your child so that it can I have spoken to A’s class teacher on numerous occasions (listed below) and I am not satisfied
suffering from panic attacks, to put this in writing to class be documented and, if you think with the way in which the matters have been dealt.
depression, self harm, uncontrolled teacher. it would benefit your child, ask
crying, fear or anxiety and you feel the GP for a sick note which give • [List the occasions on which the class teacher was spoken to]
this might be directly related to authorised absence from school

2
behaviour or treatment they are for a period of time. • [Details of any medical problems associated with the bullying – both physical and mental –
receiving at school, you should should also be included]
take them to the GP, telling them Please note that you may need to
how the bullying is affecting your put your requests/complaints in I should like you to undertake a full and thorough investigation of these bullying incidents. Please
child and, if necessary, ask the GP writing to the Headteacher. let me know what action you will be taking, both in relation to the bullying which has occurred and
for a sick note which will give your to ensure that my child is not bullied in the future.
child authorised absence from
school for a period of time. Yours sincerely,

1 3 [Your name]

10 11
Step 4 What you should expect Step 5
from the Governing Body
• If the Headteacher fails to address If you are not happy with the response
the bullying problems, you need to The response you get from the you receive from the Governing Body
make a formal written complaint to Governors will vary from school to you can then make a complaint to:
the school’s Governing Body. school, as each school has the power
to set its own complaints procedure. • the local authority, if the school is a
• You should draft your complaint in There are however some common maintained school; or
the way prescribed in the school’s factors: Example of a formal letter of complaint:
Complaints Policy. • the Academy Trust or Education
• the Complaints Policy should Funding Agency and the Secretary
• You should at this time also request contain time limits for the of State, if the school is an
a copy of your child’s educational Governors to respond to your Academy; Governing Body
records. These should detail any complaint (usually between seven School Name
action the school has taken and any and twenty-one days). • the Education Funding Agency or Address line one
contact you or someone else has the Department of Education, if Address line two
made with the school in relation to • a sub-committee of between the school is a Free School; Town
the bullying. three to five Governors will often Postcode
be appointed to consider your • alternatively you could visit Ofsted’s
• If your child has Special Educational complaint and determine what Parent View which can be found at
Needs or has developed mental action should be taken. parentview.ofsted.gov.uk where Date
health problems because of the you can tell Ofsted what you think
bullying, and you are eligible for • you may be invited to attend and about your child’s school. This
Legal Aid, it would at this juncture present evidence to the sub- information is used by Ofsted Dear Sir/Madam,
be prudent to contact the Civil committee. Usually you are allowed when making decision about which
Legal Advice Helpline. Details to take a friend or representative schools to inspect and, when. RE: [child’s name and date of birth]
about this service and eligibility along with you to the meeting. Red
can be found at www.gov.uk/civil- Balloon is able to offer assistance For more information about making I wish to make a formal complaint.
legal-advice to you at this stage or direct you to a complaint, visit: My child, A, has been bullied over a period of … weeks/months by X, Y and Z.
alternative organisations that may The incidents complained of are as follows:
be able to assist you. Education Funding Agency
www.gov.uk/government/ • [List the bullying incidents, including dates, times and locations]

4
• the Headteacher, or another organisations/education-funding-
teacher with responsibility for agency/about/complaints-procedure I have spoken to A’s class teacher and the Headteacher on numerous occasions.
investigating evidence, may be These are listed below:
invited to report on the matter. If or write to:
this happens you may be given the • [List the occasions on which the class teacher and the Headteacher were spoken to]
opportunity to question or cross- Secretary of State c/o the
examine the Headteacher (and vice Department for Education • [Details of any medical problems associated with the bullying – both physical and mental –
versa). Complaints should also be included]
Ministerial and Public
Communications Division, I should like a full and thorough investigation of these bullying incidents. Please let me know what
Department for Education, action you will be taking, both in relation to the bullying which has occurred and to ensure that my
Piccadilly Gate, Store Street child is not bullied in the future.
Manchester, M1 2WD
Yours faithfully,

5
[Your name]

12 13
If your child is being bullied

Talk to your child, keep a record of events

and agree together on action you will take.

Speak to a school teacher/tutor and agree

appropriate action. Ask for a copy of the Further options
school’s Anti-bullying Policy, Behaviour Policy
or Discipline Policy and Complaints Policy. Remember!
Bullying is a child protection issue, so can be reported to the local authority children’s
services team and to the police.

State schools
NO Check with your child. Is the issue is resolved? YES (Maintained and Academy)
Report your concerns to Ofsted if they relate to whole school practice and poor
management.

Maintained schools
(State schools that are not Academies or Free Schools)
Make an appointment to see the Head of This is good news Report your concerns to the Department for Education
Year/Headteacher or the member of senior but remember to
staff responsible for behaviour/safeguarding. check in regularly as Academies and Free Schools
Agree appropriate action and request a bullying behaviour Report your concerns to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) if they are not following their
reasonable timescale for resolution. is often repeated. funding agreement or complaints process

Independent Schools
If your child’s school is not meeting standards relating to welfare then report your concerns
to the Department for Education
NO Has the issue been resolved? YES

For further details including relevant complaint forms

visit www.gov.uk/complain-about-school

Consider following the school complaints process.

NO Has the issue been resolved? YES

Refer to ‘Further Options’ opposite

14 15
Withdrawing your child Bullying and the police Information and support
from school for children and young
Bullying in itself is not a specific criminal people
Withdrawing your child from school can offence in the United Kingdom. Some
often be problematic and may isolate incidents of bullying are not actually Anti-Bullying Alliance The Diana Award Stonewall
your child even further from their peer crimes and, therefore might not be a A coalition of organisations and (Anti-Bullying Programme) Website with information and advice
group. If your child stops attending matter for the police. individuals committed to stopping all • Website available to all with tailored to under 21s who have
school, the school will treat their forms of bullying between children information, advice and good concerns about homophobic bullying.
absence as unauthorised (unless your However, other types of bullying are and young people. Website contains practice for young people,
GP has issued your child a valid sick illegal and can be reported to the information and advice relating to all professionals and parents. 08000 502020
note), which could result in you being police. These include bullying that forms of bullying. • Training across UK and Ireland: www.stonewall.org.uk
prosecuted for their non-attendance involves the following (whether face to Training targeting victims, @stonewalluk
and result in a fine or imprisonment. face or online): www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk perpetrators and bystanders.
@ABAonline Young people can be trained to
If your child is ‘self-excluding’ or has a • violence or threats of violence; recognise bullying behaviour and The Child Exploitation and Online
real risk of being injured if they attend its root causes as well to help Protection Centre (CEOP)
school you should seek a medical • assault (including sexual assault); Childline their peers tackle bullying online Website with information and
certificate from your GP to authorise • 24 hour helpline for children and and offline. Professionals can be resources for children and young
your child’s absence. You should also • malicious communication; young people with concerns about trained to lead on anti-bullying people about staying safe online.
consider contacting social services, bullying 0800 11 11 work and support a peer led
your education welfare officer (if you • harassment e.g. name calling, • Online support for children and programme/student team. www.thinkuknow.org.uk
have one) and the school to inform threatening behaviour, abusive young people with concerns about @ ThinkuknowUK
them of the situation. phone calls, text messages, bullying www.diana-award.org.uk
e-mails and Facebook messages; • Website with information about @DianaAward
Do not take your child off the school bullying including a new short video Ditch the Label
roll, even if they are no longer • theft; to build the confidence of children Ditch the Label provides informative
attending, as this could result in a that have been bullied EACH advice, research and engaging content
situation where you are responsible for • intimidation; (Education Action tailored to young people aged 13-25
providing your child’s education. It will 0800 1111 Challenging Homophobia) aimed to reduce the prominence and
not help the situation in any way and • any of the above that are www.childline.org.uk Action line for children and young harmful effect of bullying. Ditch the
may make things harder to deal with. committed because of the victim’s @childline people with concerns about Label also offer email support as well
disability, gender-identity, homophobic bullying. as drop-in chat sessions via the social
If your child will not attend school and race, religion, belief or sexual networking platform Habbo Hotel.
the local authority is trying to make orientation. Get Connected 0808 1000 143
you, or persuade you to home educate Helpline for children and young people www.each.education www.ditchthelabel.org
remember that as long as your child under 25 - 0808 808 4994. Also a text, @ditchthelabel
is on a school roll it is that school’s email and webchat facility.
duty to provide them with a suitable
education. If the school is failing to do 0808 808 4994
so, then it is the local authority’s duty www.getconnected.org.uk
to ensure that your child is provided @getconnecteduk
with suitable education. This does not
mean forcing you to elect to home
educate.

16 17
Information and support
for parents and carers
Anti-Bullying Alliance The Child Exploitation and Online Red Balloon Learner Centres
A coalition of organisations and Protection Centre (CEOP) Red Balloon provides educational
individuals committed to stopping all Website with information and and therapeutic ‘intensive care’ for
forms of bullying between children resources for children and young children and young people who have
and young people. Website with people about staying safe online. self-excluded from mainstream
information and advice relating to all school because of severe bullying or
forms of bullying. www.thinkuknow.org.uk trauma. The Learner Centres offer
@ThinkuknowUK an individualised academic, personal
www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk and social programme with the aim
@ABAonline of raising the students’ self-esteem,
Childnet getting them back on an academic
Website with information and advice for track, and supporting their return to
Family Lives parents and carers on how to keep your mainstream education.
24 hour helpline for parents and carers child safe online including how to make
who have concerns about bullying. a report online. 01223 366052
They also have an email facility. www.redballoonlearner.org
www.childnet.com @RedBalloonLCG
0808 800 2222 @childnet
www.familylives.org.uk
@familylives
Ditch the Label
Ditch the Label provides research
Contact a Family relating to all forms of bullying,
• Free helpline for parents and designed to give insightful
carers of disabled children who perspectives as well educate audiences
have concerns about bullying. of the causes, effects and prevention
Free advice guides and training methods. Ditch the Label also provides
for parents and carers relating to email support to parents and carers.
bullying.
• Network of parent support groups. www.ditchthelabel.org
@ditchthelabel
0808 808 3555 ANTI-BULLYING ALLIANCE
www.cafamily.org.uk
@contactafamily

of children worry
about bullying.
18
That’s over 2 million. 19
Contact us
Anti-Bullying Alliance
Anti-Bullying Alliance is a partnership
body based at National Children’s
Bureau. Registered Charity No 258825.

www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
@ABAonline
+44(0)20 7843 6000
8 Wakley Street London EC1V 7QE

Red Balloon Learner Centres

The aim of Red Balloon Learner Centres
is the recovery of bullied children
not accessing full time education.
Registered Charity No 1109606.

www.redballoonlearner.org
@RedBalloonLCG
+44(0)1223 366052
7a Chesterton Mill, French’s Road,
Cambridge CB4 3NP