Statement of Intent

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for allour members so they can participate in sport in a relaxed and secureatmosphere.

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in our club.

If bullying does occur, all club members should be able to tell and know thatincidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club.

This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected totell the club welfare officer.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person.

Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:

• Emotional being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g.threateninggestures)

• Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence

• Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures

• Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

• Homophobic because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality

• Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing

• Cyber All areas of internet ,such as email & internet chat room misuse  Mobile threats by text messaging & calls  Misuse of associated technology , i.e. camera &videofacilities

 

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?

Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has theright to be treated with respect. Individuals who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.  The club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues ofbullying.

Objectives of this Policy

• All club members, coaches and volunteers and parents should havean understanding of what bullying is.

• All club members, coaches and volunteers should know what the club policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.

• All players and parents should know what the club policy is onbullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.

• As a club we take bullying seriously. Players and parents should beassured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.

• Bullying will not be tolerated.

 

Signs and Symptoms in children

A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied.Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should

investigate if a child:

• is frightened of walking to or from the club/school

• doesn't want to go on the school / public bus

• begs to be driven to school

• changes their usual routine

• is unwilling to go to school/club (school phobic)

• begins to truant

• becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence

• starts stammering

• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away

• cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares

• feels ill in the morning

• begins to do poorly in school work

• comes home with clothes torn or books damaged

• has possessions which are damaged or " go missing"

• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)

• has dinner or other monies continually "lost"

• has unexplained cuts or bruises

• comes home starving (money / lunch has been stolen)

• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable

• is bullying other children or siblings

• stops eating

• is frightened to say what's wrong

• gives improbable excuses for any of the above

• is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone

• is nervous & jumpy when a cyber message is received

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated

Adults can also be victims of bullying and this too is considered unacceptable by the club and will be investigated.

 

Procedures

1. Report bullying incidents to the club welfare officer, member of the club committee or an adult you can trust.

2. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred to the NGB welfare officer.

3. In serious cases parents, or in the case of adults the individuals, should be informed and asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem

4. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted

5. The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated andthe bullying stopped quickly

6. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change theirbehaviour

7. If mediation fails and the bullying continues the club will initiatedisciplinary proceedings according to the club constitution

 

Recommended Club Action

If the club decides it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation theyshould follow the procedure outlined below:

1. Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.

2. If this fails/not appropriate a small panel (made up from Chairman,Club Welfare Officer, Secretary, committee members) should meet with the parent and child, or individual in the case of adults, alleging bullying to get details of theallegation. Minutes should be taken for clarity, which should be agreedby all as a true account.

3. The same 3 persons should meet with the alleged bully and parent/s or individual and put the incident raised to them to answer and give their view of the allegation. Minutes should again be taken and agreed.

4. If bullying has in their view taken place the individual should be warnedand put on notice of further action i.e. temporary or permanentsuspension if the bullying continues. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate atthis time.

5. In some cases the parent of the bully or bullied player can be asked toattend training sessions, if they are able to do so, and if appropriate. The club committee should monitor the situation for a given period to ensure the bullying is not being repeated.

6. All coaches involved with both individuals should be made aware ofthe concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning.

Outcomes

1. The bully (bullies) may be asked to genuinely apologise. Otherconsequences may take place.

2. In serious cases, suspension or even exclusion will be considered

3. If possible, the individuals will be reconciled

4. After the incident / incidents have been investigated and dealt with,each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not takeplace.

Prevention

1. The club will have a written constitution, which includes what is

acceptable and proper behaviour for all members of which the antibullyingpolicy is one part.

2. All club members and parents will sign to accept the constitution uponjoining the club.

3. The Club Welfare Officer will raise awareness about bullying and why itmatters, and if issues of bullying arise in the club, will consider meetingwith members to discuss the issue openly and constructively.

 

 

This policy is based on guidance provided to schools by. KIDSCAPE a voluntary organisation committed to help prevent bullying.

KIDSCAPE can be contacted on 0207 730 3300 or you can access their

websitevia www.kidscape.org.uk.

You may also wish to access any of the following websites designed to giveadvice and guidance to parents and children who are faced with dealingwith bullying: