Stay Safe

This year our work on anti-bullying is focussed upon contributing to the local understanding of the:

• nature of anti-bullying practice in schools
• experiences of our young people.

Latest news - Anti-Bullying

• The Anti-Bullying Audit in Solihull was led by Educational Psychologists working with Councillors, ABBA (anti-bullying behaviour alliance) Professionals and young people. 85 Solihull Schools were visited to find out how they are preventing bullying and providing support for children, young people and their families when bullying happens.  
• As a result of the audit:
  • The Educational Psychology Service (EPS) in conjunction with ABBA will provide training to schools needing to review their anti-bullying documents.
  • The EPS will work with Coventry and Warwickshire to provide anti-bullying information sheets for parents, carers and young people.
• The EPS participated in a regional CyberSurvey in November 2009, to find out about the experiences our young people have with bullying using new technology.   General findings suggest:
  • Young people are de-sensitised to shocking messages online.
  • e-safety training is rated highly and received at the right age, however, many young people do not generally follow the guidance, maybe thinking, 'it won't happen to me'.
• The EPS will help disseminate the findings from the CyberSurvey.
• The EPS will be responding to bullying reported via electronic report forms.

Current Documents

• In November 2008 we produced guidance for schools on writing an Anti-Bullying Policy.
• The Anti-Bullying Audit was being used to find out what school’s do to prevent bullying and how they respond if bullying occurs.
• The Bullying Task and Finish Group - Final Report, highlights the findings of the audit and makes recommendations.

Current Practice

• Read about the process of formulating the anti-bullying policy in Together we can STOP Bullying.
• Anti-Bullying : A whole school approach tells the story of how Solihull Educational Psychology Service supported a school in developing their anti-bullying policy.

Useful Local Resources

• Anti-Bullying Family Information Pack. This can be collected from schools or other community settings. The Family Information Service can be contacted for more information about the pack (0800380 8997 email: familyinfo@solihull.gov.uk).

Links to other organisations

• ChildLine 08001111 (telephone line open 24/7 for children to speak confidentially about a concern).
• http://www.bullying.co.uk/ gives advice for victims of bullying.
• http://www.kidscape.org.uk/ gives advice for preventing bullying.
• http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/ includes information, ideas and resources for Anti-Bullying.