If you suspect that your child is being bullied - perhaps by people in school or where they play or through messages sent by e-mail or mobile phone - you may spot one or more of these signs:

• showing stress - being moody, silent or crying, or bullying a younger sibling or friend
• making excuses to miss school, such as stomach complaints or headaches (or your child may be skipping school altogether)
• seems upset after using the internet or mobile, or changes their behaviour - for example, no longer wanting to look at new text messages immediately - and being secretive and unwilling to talk about their online activities and phone use
• is withdrawn in their behaviour
• has more bruises or scrapes than usual
• changes their eating habits
• has torn clothes, school things that are broken or missing, or have 'lost' money
• sleeps badly
• if young, begins wetting the bed

There could, of course, be a number of reasons for this behaviour.  So you need to ask yourself:

• could there be anything else bothering your child?
• are there are changes in your family life, such as: a new baby, or divorce or separation?

Keep an eye on it a free downloadable leaflet for parents and carers includes useful information written by young people themselves.

What can parents and carers do to help?
Although schools have a key role to play, it is hugely important that those closest to your children are able to help and support them. Below are some sources of further support and advice:

Family Lives (previously Parentline Plus) 0808 800 2222
Immediate support and advice for parents, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Kidscape: 08451 205 204
A helpline for parents and carers of bullied children is available Monday - Tuesday: 10am to 8pm; Wednesday - Friday: 10am to 4pm

Advisory Centre for Education: 0808 800 5793
Advice for parents and children on all school matters. An advisor can be contacted 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Children's Legal Centre: 01206 873820
Free legal advice on all aspects of the law affecting children and young people.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
Provides help and advice on cyberbullying, the Centre maintains a website for children and young people, and parents and carers about staying safe online.

Ofsted Parent View website
This website has an online questionnaire that allows parents and carers to give their views on their child’s school at any time of the year. The questionnaire asks for parents for their opinion on 12 aspects of their child’s school, from the quality of teaching, to dealing with bullying and poor behaviour, with a final question as to whether or not they would recommend the school to other parents.

Anti-bullying Week 2011 (ABW) will be held from 14th - 18th November. With the slogan ‘Stop and think – words can hurt’ this year’s campaign is focused on tackling verbal bullying.
We have also produced an advice sheet for parents and carers as part of this year's ABW briefing pack.