Good practice guide
All work designed to prevent and challenge bullying needs to be informed by good evidence-based practice. Research has identified a number of preventative and reactive initiatives that can be used effectively to discourage bullying and promote positive peer relations.
"We need a consistent approach to tackling bullying where we all understand what it is and how to deal with it". Teacher
"We need to tackle bullying from every angle". Youth Worker
Anti-Bullying-Week
Anti-Bullying Week is a national campaign that runs every year towards the end of November
Awareness Raising
Regular anti-bullying activities can help ensure everyone has a shared understanding of what bullying is and how it should be dealt with
Circle of Friends & Support Groups
A support network can be set up to build relationships around a vulnerable child/young person
Cooperative Group Work and SEAL
Certain activities can be used to encourage children and young people to work together from an early age. This can develop understanding of diversity and respect for difference
Further Reading
Further reading
Peer Support
At its simplest level, peer support is about making children and young people feel safe and supported by their peers. In schools, it is about empowering pupils to address a wide range of problems others may have, from transition to family problems to bullying
Reporting and Recording
If we are to succeed in tackling bullying, it is imperative that all incidents of bullying are recorded, reported and acted upon appropriately
Resilience and Self-esteem
It is important that children and young people who have experienced bullying or who may be at risk of doing so are equipped with the skills needed to deal with it. Children and young people can be taught new ways of behaving which will give them strategies for coping with bullying
Restorative Practice
Restorative practice is an approach derived from the criminal justice system which provides adults with a framework for facilitating reparation as far as possible following an incident of bullying