Anti Bullying Statement

BULLYING

Bullying will not be accepted or condoned by CYDC by anyone, may they be staff, coaches, volunteers, young people or children. All forms of bullying will be addressed.

Bullying can include:

-physical pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching etc.

-name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing and emotional torment through ridicule, humiliation and the continual ignoring of individuals

- sectarian/racial taunts, graffiti, gestures

-sexual comments and /or suggestions

- unwanted physical contact

Children from ethnic minorities, disable children, young people who are gay or lesbian, or those with learning difficulties are more vulnerable to this form of abuse and may well be targeted.

Everybody has the responisibility to work together to stop bullying - the child, the parent, the coach, the youth worker, the sport's official, staff, volunteers and senior officials.

Appropriate forums will be established within CYDC, including children, parents, coaches, youth workers and other agencies, to address, monitor and stop bullying if and when it has been identified.

Commitment to the early identification of bullying and prompt, collective action to deal with it.

Policy and practice should be agreed through consultation within the centre, and with parents and chidlren.

Children should be encouraged to take role in stopping bullying in CYDC.

Policy and practice should be reviewed reqularly in the light of changing needs and changes adopted by other agencies (e.g. schools).

Staff and coaches will have access to training on bullying.

Staff and coaches will have access to appropriately trained staff for support when dealing with bullying.

Support to the Child

Children should know who will listen to and support them.

Any advice and assistance should be given by an experienced coach.

Children should have access to Helpline numbers

Children should be told what is being recorded, in what context and why.

Systems should established to open the door to children wishing to talk about bullying or any other issue that affects them. Barriers to talking need to be broken down to enable children to approach adults.

Anyone who reports an incident of bullying will be listend to carefully and be supported, whether its the child being bullied of the child who is doing the bullying.

Any reported incident of bullying will be investigated objectively and will involve listening carefully to all those involved.

Children being bullied will be supported and assistance given to uphold their right to play and live in safe enviornment which allows their healthy development.

Those who bully will be supported and encouraged to stop bullying.

Sanctions involving long periods of isolation, or which diminish and make individuals look or feel foolish in front of others, should be avoided.

Support to the Parents

Parents should be advised on CYDC's policy and practice about bullying.

Any incident of bullying will be discussed with the child's parent(s).

Parental advice on action will be sought and agreements made as to what action should be taken.

Information and advice on coping with bullying will be given.

Support should be offered to the parent(s) including information on other agencies or support lines.

The Individual

Respect every child's need for, and rights to, a play enviornment where safety, security, praise, recognition and opportunity for taking responsibility are available.

Respect for every individual's feelings and views.

Recognise that everyone is important and that our differences make each of us special.

Show appreciation of others by acknowledging indvidual qualities, contributions and progress.

Ensure safety by having rules and practices carefully explained and displayed for all to see.

ACTION TO HELP THE VICTIM AND PREVENT BULLYING IN SPORT:

• Be aware of local anti-bullying policies.
• Take all signs of bullying very seriously.
• Encourage all young people to speak and share their concerns. (1) Help the victim to speak out and tell the person in charge or someone in authority.  Create an open environment.
• Investigate all allegations and take action to ensure the victim is safe.  Speak with the victim and the bully(ies) separately.
• Reassure the victim that you can be trusted and will help them, although you cannot promise to tell no one else.
• Keep records of what is said (what happened, by whom, when).
• Report all concerns to CYDC's Child Protection Officer.

ACTION TOWARDS THE BULLY:

• Talk with the bully(ies), explain the situation, and try to get the bully(ies) to understand the consequences of their behaviour.  Seek an apology to the victim(s).
• Inform the bully(ies) parents.
• Insist on the return of borrowed items and that the bully(ies) compensate the victim.
• Provide support for the coach of the victim.
• Impose sanctions as necessary.
• Encourage and support the bully(ies) to change behaviour.
• Hold meetings with the families to report on progress.
• Inform all organisation members of action taken.
• Where bullying persists despite attempts to deal with it, or is severe in nature (regardless of whether it is repeated), concerns should be reported to the CPO in line with the procedure above.

It is believed that up to 12 children per year commit suicide as a result of bullying, So if anyone talks about or threatens suicide, seek professional help immediately.