ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Our anti-bullying policy sets out how we feel about bullying as a club, what we’ll do to tackle it, and how we’ll support children and young people who experience or display bullying behavior. 

BULLYING

- all forms of bullying will be acted upon

- everybody in the club has a responsibility to work together to stop bullying

- bullying can include online as well as offline behaviour 

- bullying behavior can include:

  - physically pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching, etc. 

  - name-calling, spreading rumors, persistent teasing, and humiliation, or the continual  ignoring of others 

  - posting of derogatory or abusive comments, videos, or images on social media 

  - racial, homophobic, transphobic or sexist comments, taunts or gestures 

  - sexual comments, suggestions or behavior 

  - unwanted physical contact 

Our club will: 

• recognise its duty of care and responsibility to safeguard all participants from harm 

• promote and implement this anti-bullying policy in addition to our safeguarding policy and 

  procedures 

• ensure that bullying behavior is not tolerated or condoned 

• require all members of the club to sign up this policy 

• take action to investigate and respond to any reports of bullying from children and young people 

• encourage and facilitate children and young people to play an active part in developing and adopting a code of conduct for behaviour

• ensure that coaches are given access to information, guidance and training on bullying

Each participant, coach, volunteer or official will: 

• encourage individuals to speak out about bullying behaviour 

• respect every child’s need for, and right to, a play environment where safety, security,  praise, recognition and opportunity for taking responsibility are available 

• respect the feelings and views of others 

• recognise that everyone is important and equal, and that our differences make each of us special and worthy of being valued 

• show appreciation of others by acknowledging individual qualities, contributions and progress 

• ensure safety by having rules and practices carefully explained and displayed for all to see

• report incidents of bullying behavior they see – by doing nothing you are condoning the behaviour

Supporting children 

• we’ll let children know who will listen to and support them 

• we’ll create an “open door” ethos where children feel confident to talk to an adult about bullying behaviour or any other issue that affects them 

• potential barriers to talking (including those associated with a child’s disability or impairment) will be acknowledged and addressed at the outset to enable children to speak out 

• we’ll make sure children are aware of helpline numbers 

• anyone who reports an incident of bullying will be listened to carefully and reports will be taken seriously 

• any reported experience of bullying behavior will be investigated and will involve listening carefully to all those involved 

• children experiencing bullying behavior will be supported and helped to uphold their right to play and live in a safe environment 

• those who display bullying behaviour will be supported and encouraged to develop better relationships 

• we’ll make sure that sanctions are proportionate and fair Support to the parents/guardians 

• parents or guardians will be advised on the club’s bullying policy and practice 

• any experience of bullying behaviour will be discussed with the child’s parents or guardians • parents will be consulted on action to be taken (for both victim and bully) and we’ll agree on these actions together 

• information and advice on coping with bullying will be made available 

• support will be offered to parents, including information from other agencies or support lines

Useful contacts 

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 

Childline 0800 1111 / www.childline.org.uk 

Kidscape www.kidscape.org.uk 

Anti-Bullying Alliance www.antibullyingalliance.org