Anti bullying policy

Statement of Intent
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our students so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at our clubs. If bullying does occur, all our students should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING organisation. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell one of the instructors.

What Is Bullying?
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.
Bullying can be:
• Emotional: Being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures)
• Physical: Pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist: Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual: Unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic: Because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality
• Verbal: Name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
• Cyber: All areas of internet, such as email & internet chat room misuse
• Mobile: Threats by text messaging & calls
• Misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera & video facilities

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Students who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.
Schools and clubs have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this Policy
• All instructors, senior students and higher grade junior students, students and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.
• All instructors and senior students should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
• All students and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.
As an organisation we take bullying seriously. Students and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
Bullying will not be tolerated.

Signs and Symptoms
A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:
• is frightened of walking to or from the clubs
• doesn't want to go on the school / public bus
• begs to be driven to school
• changes their usual routine
• is unwilling to go to school (school phobic)
• begins to truant
• becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
• starts stammering
• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
• cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
• feels ill in the morning
• begins to do poorly in school work
• comes home with clothes torn or books damaged
• has possessions which are damaged or " go missing"
• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)
• has dinner or other monies continually "lost"
• has unexplained cuts or bruises
• comes home starving (money / lunch has been stolen)
• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
• is bullying other children or siblings
• stops eating
• is frightened to say what's wrong
• gives improbable excuses for any of the above
• is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone
• is nervous & jumpy when a cyber message is received
These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated

Procedures
1. Report bullying incidents to one of the instructors.
2. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be recorded by the instructor.
3. In serious cases parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem
4. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted
5. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly
6. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour

Outcomes
1. The bully (bullies) may be asked to genuinely apologise. Other consequences may take place. I.E suspension from classes, loss of rank exclusion from attending any future classes with in our organisation.
2. In serious cases, suspension or even exclusion will be considered.
3. If possible, the students will be reconciled.
4. After the incident / incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.

Prevention
We will use a list of methods for helping children to prevent bullying. As and when appropriate, these may include:
• writing a set of school rules.
• signing a behaviour contract.
• writing stories or poems or drawing pictures about bullying.
• reading stories about bullying or having them read to a class or assembly.
• making up role-plays (or using role-plays).
• having discussions about bullying and why it matters.
In the case of adults reported to be bullying athletes under 18
1. The R.F.K.C child protection officer is: Michelle Connolly, Miss Connolly can be contacted direct here – rfkc@btinternet.com, mobile 07754233854
2. should always be informed and will advice on action to be taken
3. It is anticipated that in most cases where the allegation is made regarding a coach, child protection awareness training may be recommended.
4. More serious cases may be referred to the police, social services or judicial complaints procedure.
• The club will have a written constitution, which includes what is acceptable and proper behaviour for all members of which the anti bullying policy is one part.
• All athletes and parents will sign to accept the constitution upon joining the club.
• The club welfare officer will raise awareness about bullying and why it matters, and if issues of bullying arise in the club, will consider meeting with members/athletes/Instructors to discuss the issue openly and constructively

This policy is based on that provided to schools by KIDSCAPE.
KIDSCAPE is a voluntary organisation committed to help prevent child bullying. KIDSCAPE can be contacted on 0207 730 3300.