by Frances Laing

Created on: January 07, 2011

It was only when my own child was bullied persistently in her first years at school that I realised how important it is to formulate an effective school anti-bullying policy. The word 'policy' simply means an intention or a goal. A good anti-bullying policy in a school should aim to protect children, parents, carers and teachers. In human terms it should be more than merely lip-service.

Depending on which country, state or county you live in - you will find that each school has a specific legal and statutory responsibility to tackle bullying, develop a policy and update and review it on a regular basis. That policy may be just one element of your school's whole behaviour curriculum - and it may be referred to as a zero tolerance policy.

Such a policy may initially be developed by the governors of the school and the strategic lead is usually provided by the headmaster or headmistress, who once again, depending on which country and state you live in - will have certain responsibilities for publicising, reviewing and updating the policy. Since parents and children are on the front line of dealing with bullies, it is vital in my view that they are involved in review and development. So once your draft policy is ready - submit it to the Parent Teacher Association for review and feedback.

An effective school anti-bullying policy may include the following points:

- A clear definition of what bullying is - the effects of it and how it can be detected. This should include a position statement on cyber-bullying.

- A clear description of how bullying can be reported in (and around) your school - including a clear description of reporting and complaints procedures and what to do in an emergency to prevent escalation of a problem, guard against injury and even loss of life.

- Signposts for children, parents and teachers on how to access information and support (both for the child and the family who is being bullied - the target - and for the child who is bullying - and their family). Signposts should include references to national and/or local helpline numbers or a 'buddy' scheme. When bullying is first discovered - children and parents may be more likely to discuss it with friends and trusted/anonymous contacts in the first instance (e.g in chatrooms) than they are to mention it at the school gate. It is wise to give them that opportunity to access first-point-of-contact support.

- A school's anti-bullying policy should be dated. Anyone looking at the policy should be aware that it it is not a static entity but that it will be reviewed on an annual basis at least in the light of current best practice and any incidents which occur.

- A position statement on 'bystanders'. Measures to tackle bullying in a school are everyone's responsibility - from the caretaker to the lunch attendants.  We cannot and should not stand by and let it happen.

Schools and education authorities will be more or less conscientious and dedicated in the amount of time and resources they devote to the writing and development of an effective anti-bullying policy. There are a vast array of anti-bullying consultancy services and examples of best practice out there right now - making use of the best of these is a chance to prevent the immense human suffering that bullying brings about. Formulating an effective anti-bullying policy in a school is also an important first step to address the financial cost of bullying. School absences, meetings, excluding pupils from school and potential law suits can cost schools and local authorities a great deal of money.

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