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A culture that encourages respect, values opinions, celebrates differences and promotes positive relationships will make it all the more difficult for bullying behaviour to flourish or be tolerated. The overarching ethos of any organisation should make it clear that bullying is never acceptable and that all adults and children and young people understand the role that they play in addressing bullying.
Anti-bullying policy
An anti-bullying policy can be the start of shaping this culture. It should be the net that holds together all the strategies, procedures and practices related to anti-bullying work. A policy is a public and explicit commitment to action that enables organisations to keep account and be accountable for anti-bullying work. A successful policy serves as guidance and as a support mechanism for those implementing and receiving the policy. Policy provides consistency in process, action and practice.
Partnership Working
Addressing the problem of bullying within schools and our communities should be a joint responsibility, using everyone's expertise to achieve a shared vision of how the problem should be solved. At the very heart of this is consultation. Where appropriate, members of the community should be involved before any anti-bullying strategy and plan is put into place. Steps can then be taken, working in partnership with other agencies, to overcome the problem efficiently and effectively. The positives of partnership working and consultation are that everyone involved can understand the needs, expectations, concerns and capabilities of each partner.
Examples of partners you may wish to engage with are: schools, youth workers, parents and carers, police and youth groups, youth clubs, Girl Guides, Scouts, Football associations, health and social services.
Building Positive Relationships
The overarching values that bullying is never acceptable should also be adopted throughout the relationships that we have. Building positive relationships based on respect and embracing difference is essential to prevent bullying. Teaching children and young people to negotiate, socialise appropriately and to find non-bullying strategies to deal with conflict will create an environment where bullying is less likely to be accepted.
Role modelling
Role modelling and self awareness amongst adults is also important. The relationship between adults and children and young people should also mirror these values. Children will model their behaviour on what they are witnessing and we should always be mindful of this. Lead by example, if you boss, judge and criticise, children and young people will think this behaviour is acceptable and follow your lead. Let children and young people know that bullying is never acceptable and why and help children to find non- bullying strategies to deal with conflict. Talk to children and young people and, most important, listen to them show children respect and they will respect others.
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