North Lincolnshire SENDIASS

Anti Bullying

What is bullying?

Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face to face or online.

Bullying support

If your child is being bullied online, in the community or in school, you can find support in different places.

  • School– Contact the school to make them aware, review the anti bullying policy on the school website, keep any evidence of the bullying and make sure your child or young person has a key adult in school they can speak to.
  • Community– Encourage your child or young person to spend time with supportive peers, ensure they can contact you and play in safe well lit area’s. Concerns about bullying in the community, particularly if your child or young person, can be discussed by calling 101. If bullying in the community involves peers from your child or young person’s school, you can also contact the school to make them aware.
  • Online– Make sure you monitor your child or young persons online activity and have discussions about how to stay safe online. Most social media and messaging services have a functions to report bullying or abusive messages, also the ability to be able to block other people and stop them being able to contact your child or young person. If online bullying involves peers from school, you can also make the school aware.

Bullying and SEND

Figures show that disabled children and children with additional needs are significantly more likely to experience bullying behaviour. It may include name-calling, but can also present in other forms of bullying such as physical abuse,  manipulation, coercion, or social exclusion.  

While schools must take action to prevent all forms of bullying behaviour, children with protected characteristics (which includes disability) have additional protections under the Equality Act 2010. 

Helpful links