Violence at School & Work
The Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) Anti-Bullying Strategy
Bullying, in any form, should not be tolerated and the DCSF expect schools to cover all forms of bullying in their anti-bullying policies and practices. Since 1999 all schools have had a legal duty to have measures in place to prevent all forms of bullying in schools. Staff have new powers also to regulate the conduct of pupils when they are outside the school premises.
The DCSF is providing around £3m in the financial year 2008-2009 for anti-bullying programmes. In September 2007 they issued over-arching guidance under the title Safe to Learn: Embedding Anti-bullying Work in Schools.
They are working through the Anti Bullying Alliance and National Strategies to continue to spread good anti-bullying practice in local authorities (LA’s) and schools and their advisers are providing support and challenge to LA’s and schools, helping them to improve their anti-bullying policies and strategies.
The DCSF have also a continuing programme of work around cyberbullying, with a digital information campaign for young people; a short cyberbullying film in the pipeline; a website aimed at young people hosted by Childnet International in development.
Key points
• The Government regards bullying in schools as a key priority. We have made it clear that all forms of bullying, including those motivated by prejudice, should not be tolerated and must incur disciplinary sanctions. No-one should suffer the pain and indignity which bullying can cause.
• The Government is aware that providing safe and happy learning environments is integral to achieving the wider objectives of school improvement, raising achievement and attendance, promoting equality and diversity as well as ensuring the welfare of all members of the school community.
• The Safe to Learn: Embedding Anti-bullying Work in Schools guidance gives school staff practical advice on developing robust anti-bullying policies; information on effective strategies and approaches to challenging bullying; as well as information on working with parents, engaging the whole school community and supporting those who have suffered bullying.
Guidance contents
Safe to Learn: Embedding Anti-bullying Work in Schools includes specialist materials on cyberbullying, homophobic bullying and links to existing guidance on bullying around race, religion and culture. In May 2008 the DCSF published guidance on preventing and tackling bullying of young people with special educational needs and disabilities. New anti-bullying guidance related to gender and transgender and cyberbullying of teachers will be published in Spring 2009.
Getting a copy
Safe to Learn: Embedding Anti-bullying Work in Schools
Last update: Wednesday, September 03, 2008