15 April 2009

ABA WELCOMES GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON OUT OF SCHOOL BULLYING

Today the Secretary for Children, Schools and Families, The Rt. HON Ed Balls, MP, announced the launch of the ‘Safe from Bullying’ guidance on reducing bullying in the community. The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), the national authority on anti-bullying work with children and young people, has been asked to support its dissemination. 

Over recent years ABA has become increasingly aware of how bullying in the wider community impacts on the well-being of children and young people.

ABA Chair Chris Cloke, said: ‘This guidance is a timely reminder of everyone's responsibility to help create safe environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn. At ABA we are looking forward to extending our regional support networks to include practitioners working in a range of community-based settings. For those starting or developing their work in this area, our regional advisers will be a helpful source of advice and will offer opportunities to exchange good practice.'

ABA also welcomes the launch of the guidance - 'Cyberbullying - Supporting School Staff' designed to help teachers who may be on the receiving end of this type of bullying.

ABA Chair Chris Cloke, said: ‘We know that teachers can be the targets of cyber bullying as well as children and young people. We hope this guidance will help teachers to report and respond to incidents in an effective way. Bullying of any kind, whether it’s aimed at children and young people or staff, can only be tackled by a zero tolerance attitude by the whole school community.

This year’s Anti-Bullying Week will be Monday 16-Friday 20 November and the theme will be cyber bullying. Find out more.