Bullying and Harrassment
What should I do if my child is being bullied at school?
When children experience bullying at school, this can be a very worrying time for parents.
Bullying is deliberately hurtful behaviour that is repeated over a period of time:
- Name calling and teasing
- Threats and extortion
- Physical violence
- Social exclusion
- Spreading malicious rumours
Bullying doesn't always happen face to face. Sometimes, bullying can happen through the internet or mobile phones
How can I tell if my child is being bullied?
If you suspect your child is being bullied then you may spot one or more of these signs:
- Showing stress - being moody, silent or crying
- Making excuses to miss school, such as stomach complaints or headaches
- Appears upset after using the internet or mobile phone - for example, no longer wanting to check text messages and being secretive or unwilling to talk about their online activities
- Is withdrawn in their behaviour
- Has more bruises or scrapes than usual
- Changes in their eating habits
- Has torn clothes, school things are broken or missing, or have 'lost' money
- Sleeps badly
- Bed wetting
It is important to remember that there could, of course, be a number of reasons for this behaviour. So you need to ask yourself if
- Could there be anything else bothering your child?
- Are there any changes in your family life, such as: a new baby, or divorce or separation?
What should I do if I am worried that my child is being bullied?
- Talk to your child and find out what has happened
- Contact the school and make an appointment to see your child's teacher
- Ask to see the school's anti-bullying procedure
- Make a note of what action the school intends to take
- Stay in touch with the school and let them know if the problems continues
What should I do if the bullying continues or I am not happy with the action that the school have taken?
- Check that the agreed procedures are being followed
- Make an appointment to see the Headteacher to discuss the problem
- If the problem is not resolved you may need to make a formal complaint to the the school
Where can I go to get more advice and information about bullying?
If you would like more advice you can contact the Council's, Anti-Bullying Officer:
Email: anti-bullying@rotherham.gov.uk
Telephone: (01709) 823688
The following websites may also provide you with useful information and advice about bullying:
- Childline is the UK's free, confidential helpline for children and young people. They offer advice and support, by phone and online, 24 hours a day.
- Cybermentors is a safe social networking site providing information and support for young people affected by bullying.
- Kidscape operates an anti-bullying helpline for parents of bullied children.
- BullyingUK online advice for young people and parents.
- The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) maintains a website for children and young people, parents and carers about staying safe online.
- Parentline is a confidential free service and provides information, advice, guidance and support on any aspect of parenting and family life.