RESPECT ME ANTIBULLYING St Josephs Primary School WHAT

RESPECT ME: ANTI-BULLYING St Joseph’s Primary School

WHAT IS BULLYING? ▪ Bullying takes place in the context of relationships. ▪ It is behaviour that can make people feel hurt, threatened, frightened and left out and it can happen face to face and online. ▪ Bullying is both behaviour and impact; what someone does and the impact it has on the other person’s capacity to feel in control of themselves. ▪ Bullying behaviour can harm people physically or emotionally.

BULLYING BEHAVIOUR CAN INCLUDE: ▪ Being called names, teased, put down or threatened face to face and/or online ▪ Being hit, tripped, pushed or kicked ▪ Having belongings taken or damaged ▪ Being ignored, left out or having rumours spread about you (face to face and/or online) ▪ Sending abusive messages, pictures or images on social media, online gaming platforms or phone ▪ Being targeted because of who you are or who you are perceived to be (face to face and/or online)

POTENTIAL SIGNS - BOTH AT HOME AND IN SCHOOL ▪ They become withdrawn ▪ They have scratches and bruises that can’t really be explained ▪ They don’t want to go to school or they are having trouble with school work ▪ They don’t want to go out or play with friends ▪ Their online behaviour changes ▪ Changes to how and when they’re using their mobile. ▪ Changes are made in the route they take to school ▪ They complain of headaches, stomach aches and other pains ▪ They become easily upset, tearful, ill-tempered or display other out-of -character behaviour

WHAT IS BULLYING?

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

WHAT ADVICE SHOULD I GIVE?

EXPLORING OPTIONS TOGETHER ▪ Children and young people tell us that being told to ‘hit back’ is a common response. Children and young people do not always value this advice. ▪ So there always has to be an alternative.

EXPLORING OPTIONS TOGETHER ▪ There is never one, single, answer when it comes to bullying. Sometimes you have to ask your child, ‘What do you want to happen? ’ ‘Tell me what you have done so far? ’ ‘What would you like me to do? ’ ‘What do you think would happen if, say, I was to go up to the school? ’ ▪ You could try, ‘What do you think would happen if I spoke to someone’s mum? ’ or ‘Is there someone else you can talk to? ’

EXPLORING OPTIONS TOGETHER ▪ It's about exploring options; thinking what you can do. The temptation to run off and solve the situation is an understandable one. ▪ We should always take a moment, pause and think, ‘How do I give my child back a sense of being in control? ’ ▪ It’s that sense of being in control that has been taken from them, and that has to focus how you respond.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? ▪ When you respond to bullying behaviour your focus has to be on helping them to get back that feeling of being in control and being themselves again. This is something children and young people tell us they value when they have been bullied. ▪ That’s why we have to involve young people: - to find out what they want to happen - what they would like to happen - what they are worried about happening.

ONLINE BULLYING ▪ Bullying that takes place online is still bullying. We can’t think of ‘bullying’ in one respect and ‘online bullying’ in another – it is still about relationships that are not healthy. It is still behaviour done by someone to someone else, it is the ‘where’ this is taking place that is new. ▪ The behaviour simply appears to be migrating. As children and young people spend more time online, the behaviour they have always exhibited and experienced goes with them to where they are spending their time.

WHAT CAN WE DO? ▪ In order to help keep them safe you have to take an active interest in what they’re doing online. ▪ Where they’re going and who they’re interacting with, in the same way that you would if they were going into town, to the sports centre, youth club, or any other physical place.

PRACTICAL STEPS AS PARENTS ▪ Go through any messages, posts or pictures that they have received and kept ▪ Ask them to share any further messages with you – assure them that you won’t over react and you are not trying to invade their privacy but help resolve what is happening. ▪ ‘Block’ people ▪ Talk about how you behave online and in person ▪ Make their profile private ▪ Make sure ‘location services’ are turned off ▪ Delete inappropriate comments or posts

THINGS TO REMEMBER ▪ Don’t Panic , remain calm and give your full attention ! ▪ Talk to them about where they go online. Establish a clear understanding of the sites they use and how they access them. ▪ What do they want you to do? Exploring this will make your child feel valued and will help you to understand what support they need. ▪ Keep Listening! If they are reluctant to talk straight away, remind them that you are always available to listen and they can talk to you at any time.

ANTI-BULLYING IN ST JOSEPH’S ▪ Children feel safe and secure and happy in school. ▪ 3 named people ▪ Circle time ▪ My world triangle -termly ▪ Resilience questionnaire - termly ▪ Mental Health HWB lessons ▪ Headteachers comment box ▪ Daily emotional check in ▪ Restorative practice – this is the key message when resolving any issues or incidents.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED? ▪ Talk to them, listen to what they want you to do. ▪ If they want the school to know then come and speak to us – we are here to help. ▪ Access the ‘Respect. Me’ website for extra advice and information. https: //respectme. org. uk/