1       PURPOSE

Bullying, especially if left unaddressed, can have a devastating effect on individuals. It can be a barrier to their learning and have serious consequences for their mental health. In fact, bullying that takes place at a young age not only affects an individual during childhood but can have a lasting effect on their lives well into adulthood.

This policy outlines how Keysoe effectively prevents and tackles bullying and helps to create a safe, disciplined environment where our learners (referred to as participants) are able to learn and fulfil their potential.

2       SCOPE

The policy applies to all participants attending our alternative provision. Please note that this policy may also apply to conduct outside of Keysoe’s provision if it would be reasonable for us to regulate the participant’s behaviour in those circumstances.

This policy aligns with the Preventing and Tackling Bullying guidance (July 2017) issued by the Department for Education, setting out our approach to preventing and addressing bullying.

3       REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

KIP-0042      Complaints Policy

KIP-0040      Drugs, Alcohol and Weapons Policy

KIP-0036      Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

KIP-0008      Safeguarding Policy

KIP-0035      SEND Policy

4       DEFINITIONS

Bullying is defined as behaviour that is repeated, intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally, and often targets certain groups based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic.

Bullying can be:

• Physical: Hitting, kicking, or any form of physical aggression
• Verbal: Name-calling, teasing, or making derogatory remarks
• Emotional: Excluding someone, spreading rumours, or intimidating behaviour
• Cyberbullying: Misusing technology to send threatening or abusive messages or spreading harmful content online

5       KEY LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE

• The Education and Inspections Act 2006
• The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014
• The Equality Act 2010
• Keeping Children Safe in Education

This list is not exhaustive.

6       AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Our Anti-Bullying Policy aims to:

• Provide clear definitions and guidelines for recognising and addressing bullying
• Support participants who experience bullying and empower them to report it confidently
• Outline the responsibilities of management, staff, participants, and their parents/guardians in maintaining a bully-free environment
• Promote a positive environment where respect, kindness, and inclusion are encouraged

7       ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

7.1      Senior Management Team

The Senior Management team have strategic responsibility for health and safety and safeguarding arrangements and will:

• Promote a positive organisational culture where bullying is not tolerated, and respect and inclusion are prioritised
• Ensure that our Anti-Bullying Policy is fully implemented and consistently upheld throughout the organisation
• Provide clear guidance and resources for staff to recognise, prevent, and respond to bullying
• Ensure that all staff are trained on the policy and understand the procedures for reporting and addressing bullying incidents
• Oversee the monitoring of bullying reports
• Ensure this policy is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect best practices and legislative changes

7.2      Members of Staff

All members of staff have a responsibility to:

• Create a safe and supportive environment by actively promoting respectful and inclusive behaviour
• Recognise signs of bullying, whether in person or online, and address inappropriate behaviours promptly
• Report any incidents or suspicions of bullying according to the procedures outlined in the policy, ensuring accurate and timely documentation
• Support and reassure those involved in or affected by bullying, providing guidance and connecting them to additional support where necessary
• Uphold the principles of this policy to contribute to a safe, positive, and bully-free environment for all

8       POLICY

8.1      Communicating Our Expectations

At Keysoe, our response to bullying will not start at the point at which a child or young person has been bullied but will start when each participant comes into the service and is made aware of our policy and expectations.

As a general rule, our policy is that we promote an environment where staff and participants treat one another with respect because that is the right way to behave. However, we also make our specific expectations around behaviour clear, outline what is and is not acceptable and convey how our participants are expected to be good bystanders (by reporting bullying where it happens to others).

This policy is also made available to all parents and guardians so that they:

• Are clear that Keysoe does not tolerate bullying; and
• Are aware of the procedures to follow if they believe that their child/young person is being bullied; and
• Can reinforce the value of good behaviour at home

In addition, our diligent staff will work to proactively gather intelligence about issues between participants (and others) which might provoke conflict and develop strategies to prevent bullying from occurring in the first place.

8.2      Cyber-Bullying

There is evidence to suggest that those who are badly bullied in school are more likely to be bullied through cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying involves using digital technologies such as social media, messaging platforms, emails, or websites to harass, intimidate, or harm others and can include sending abusive messages, spreading false or harmful rumours, sharing private information or images without consent, creating fake profiles, or deliberately excluding someone from online groups.

Unlike traditional forms of bullying, cyberbullying can occur 24/7 and often extends beyond physical boundaries, making it more pervasive and sometimes harder for victims to escape.

At Keysoe, cyberbullying is not acceptable within or outside of our service provision. Therefore, any reports of cyberbullying involving our participants will be taken seriously, and appropriate actions will be taken to support affected individuals and address the behaviour.

8.3      Harassment and Sexual Harassment

Under the Equality Act 2010, bullying can be considered harassment if it targets a person due to a protected characteristic (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation).

Harassment involves unwanted behaviour that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for them. For instance, repeated name-calling, jokes, or derogatory remarks due to an individual’s race or religion could constitute harassment under the law.

In such cases, Keysoe will address the behaviour not only under this policy but also in line with legal obligations to prevent discrimination and uphold participant’s rights to equal treatment (under our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy).

Similarly, bullying that involves inappropriate comments, advances, or actions of a sexual nature can be classified as sexual harassment under the Equality Act 2010. This includes any unwelcome sexual behaviour that makes an individual feel uncomfortable, degraded, or unsafe. Examples include making sexualised comments, unwanted touching, or spreading sexual rumours. Sexual harassment is a serious violation of an individual’s rights and is also illegal.

8.4      Vulnerable Individuals

Some children and young people are more likely to be the target of bullying because of the attitudes and behaviours some young people have towards those who are different from themselves. For example, those with special educational needs or disabilities, those who are adopted, those who are suffering from a health problem, those in care or those with caring responsibilities may be more likely to experience bullying because of differences.

In addition, children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities can often lack the social or communication skills to report such incidents. Therefore, it is important that staff are alert to the potential bullying this group faces and support participants to report any bullying where they face barriers to reporting.

8.5      When Bullying is Criminal

Although bullying in itself is not a specific criminal offence in the UK, it is important to bear in mind that some types of harassing or threatening behaviour – or communications – could be a criminal offence, for example, under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the Malicious Communications Act 1988, the Communications Act 2003, and the Public Order Act 1986.

Therefore, if Keysoe staff feel that an offence may have been committed, they will seek assistance from the Police.

8.6      When Bullying is a Safeguarding Concern

When there is ‘reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer significant harm’, a bullying incident should be addressed as a safeguarding/child protection concern, and staff should discuss the matter with our Designated Safeguarding Lead (Frances Murray) or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Elizabeth Cooper), who will make a referral to the local authority children’s social care and work with them to take appropriate action.

8.7      Support For Those Who Are Bullied

Keysoe will support children and young people who are bullied and make appropriate provisions for their needs. The nature and level of support will depend on the individual circumstances and the level of need but may include a quiet word from a staff member who knows them well, engaging with parents/guardians, referring to local authority children’s services, etc.

8.8      Support for Staff

Whilst it is important that we take measures to prevent and tackle bullying among participants, it is equally important that we make it clear that bullying of staff, whether by participants, parents or colleagues, is unacceptable. Therefore, staff who experience bullying are encouraged to inform us immediately so that we can take steps to appropriately protect them.

9       HOW TO REPORT BULLYING

Participants and their parents/guardians are encouraged to report any bullying incident to our Education Specialist (mentor) or Head of Education without delay.

These reports may be made in person or:

• By telephone on 01234 708 400
• By email at info@keysoetherapycentre.com
• By post at Keysoe International, Keysoe, Bedford, MK44 2JP
• Online at https://www.keysoe.com/therapy-and-wellbeing-centre/

10     HOW WE RESPOND TO REPORTS OF BULLYING

Upon receiving a report of bullying, Keysoe will log the incident in a Cause for Concern form (KIF-0021) and conduct a thorough investigation. This may include but is not limited to taking statements from the victim(s), the perpetrator(s), and any witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage to assess the harm caused.

Based on the findings, an appropriate sanction will be determined, which may include verbal or written warnings being issued or, in severe cases, our service being withdrawn.

Relevant parties, such as the participant’s school or college, Social Workers, and the Police and/or local authority safeguarding team, will be informed as necessary to ensure a coordinated response that prioritises the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.

Where appropriate, the victim and their parents/guardians will be informed of the sanctions applied.

11     DATA PROTECTION AND RECORD KEEPING

Keysoe is committed to ensuring that all data related to bullying incidents, including reports, investigations, and outcomes, is handled in compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. All records of bullying reports will be stored in a secure, access-controlled system to maintain confidentiality. Personal and sensitive data related to the incident will only be shared with authorised personnel who need the information to support the welfare of those involved and implement any necessary interventions. Data will only be kept for as long as necessary, after which they will be securely disposed of.

12     MONITORING AND REVIEWING

Keysoe International Ltd. is committed to ensuring our policies are effective and up-to-date. To do this, we have a process for regularly monitoring and reviewing them.

The Senior Management Team are responsible for this process and will review the policies at least once a year or more frequently if needed due to changes in laws or our practices.

13     APPENDIX A: USEFUL RESOURCES FOR PARTICIPANTS

Here are some UK-based anti-bullying charities and organisations that offer support to children and their parents or guardians:

Kidscape: Provides practical support, training, and advice to challenge bullying and protect young lives. Kidscape

Anti-Bullying Alliance: A coalition of organisations and individuals working together to stop bullying and create safer environments for children. Anti-Bullying Alliance

BulliesOut: Offers anti-bullying training, awareness, and support to empower and inspire children, young people, and adults. Bullies Out

Act Against Bullying: Provides young people with practical advice if they are being bullied. Act Against Bullying

National Bullying Helpline: Offers advice and support for parents and children dealing with bullying at school. National Bullying Helpline

NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children): Provides comprehensive advice on online safety, including guides on social media, gaming, and parental controls. NSPCC

UK Safer Internet Centre: Offers tips, advice, and resources to help children and young people stay safe online, including guidance for parents and carers. Safer Internet

Childnet International: Aims to make the internet a great and safe place for children, providing resources for young people, parents, and educators. Childnet

Internet Matters: Provides expert support and practical tips to help children benefit from connected technology and the internet safely. Internet Matters

The Children’s Society: Offers guidance on online safety to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Children’s Society

 

 

KIP-0043 Revision 1
Last updated November 2024