Anti-Bullying Policy s7

Scamps Out of School Clubs Ltd - Anti-Bullying Policy

Purpose of Policy

Scamps Out of School Clubs Ltd. aims to ensure that all children in our care have fun in a safe and caring environment. It is the responsibility of all members of staff to do everything possible to protect the children from all forms of bullying. If bullying does occur, all children should be able to confide in a member of staff and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.

What is Bullying? Bullying is defined as any form of behaviour used intentionally to abuse, frighten, intimidate or cause pain and distress. There are several main forms of bullying which all members of staff should be aware of: . Emotional: Being unfriendly, excluding from games and activities, tormenting, ridiculing, humiliation. . Physical: Pushing, kicking, hitting, punching, violence or threat of violence. . Verbal: Name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing . Racist: Racial taunts, graffiti, gestures . Sexual: Unwanted physical contact, sexually suggestive comments . Homophobic: because of, or focusing in on the issue of sexuality . Mobile/internet: abusive emails, phone calls, text messages, face book/twitter posts/Instagram/Snapchat

Recognition of Bullying The following list highlights some of the signs and indicators that a child is being bullied. It is important for all members of staff to note that although a child may be displaying some of these signs or behaviours, it does not necessarily mean that they are being bullied, they could be seen as an indication that the child has another problem, but bullying should be considered as a possibility.

Indicators of Bullying . Unwillingness to attend school and the setting . Withdrawn, isolated behaviour . Complaining about missing money and possessions . Refusal to talk about problems . Easily distressed, lacking confidence, low self- esteem, anxious . Becoming aggressive, disruptive and unreasonable . Bullying other children . Changes in eating and sleeping patterns . Starts stammering . Unexplained cuts and bruises . Feigning illness How will the Policy be implemented?

Scamps Out of School Clubs Ltd. has a strict zero tolerance policy on bullying, as such we aim to do the following:

Strategic Actions:

. All members of staff, children and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is. . All members of staff, children and parents should know what the setting policy is on bullying and follow it when bullying occurs and is reported . Bullying is taken seriously by the setting and all children and parents will be fully supported if bullying is reported or observed. . All children and parents will be made aware of the setting’s behaviour policy and the policy on managing behaviour, and are required to agree and accept these policies.

Specific Actions

Scamps Out of School Clubs Ltd. aims to ensure that all children, young people and their parents/carers are secure in the knowledge that bullying will be dealt with immediately within the setting. We aim to do this by:

. The member of staff should listen to the child who is being bullied and reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling someone. If a child reports bullying to a member of staff, then the staff member will share this knowledge with the remaining team. We will ensure the situation is monitored; any relevant information will be recorded in the incident book and the child’s chronology. Parental/carer involvement will be sought as appropriate and/or necessary. . If the bullying has not been reported and a member of staff observes that it is taking place, they should approach the child/children and the child being bullied specifically and ask them if they are all right and if they need anything or anyone to help them. . All reports of bullying should be taken seriously by all staff and parents; the member of staff should try and get as much information as possible from the child, including how they are being bullied and how often the bullying takes place. . Even if the bullying is not taking place at the setting, members of staff still have a responsibility to try and help the child, e.g. providing moral support and guidance and liaising with the parents. . The member of staff should inform the child that the Manager of the setting must be informed of the report. . The member of staff must report the matter to the Manager; the member of staff should not ask the child questions but rather allow them to recount what happened freely. . In circumstances where a member of staff has been named as the bully, the Manager should be contacted immediately and discretely. Further this should be dealt with in conjunction with the Scamps Out of School Clubs Ltd Child Protection Policy & Procedure. . In circumstances where the Manager has been named as the bully, the member of staff should contact the Manager’s Development Officer (Muriel Milne Aberlour 01224 764500). The member of staff can contact SCSWIS (01224 793870). Further this should also be dealt with in conjunction with the Scamps Out of School Clubs Ltd Child Protection Policy & Procedure. . If the bullying is occurring outwith the setting, for example, in school, then the member of staff should contact the child’s parents and suggest that they inform the relevant people.

Investigating Bullying

. The Manager should investigate all reports of bullying within the setting. They should try to establish the facts surrounding the allegation; both the victim and the child being accused should be treated equally and fairly, and be dealt with separately. . The Manager should inform the child accused of bullying that a complaint has been made and allow them the opportunity to respond. . If the allegation is found to be true, the Manager should remind the child of the setting’s behaviour policy and explain that bullying will not be tolerated; the consequences of their behaviour should also be explained. . The Manager should ask the child accused of bullying to make a genuine apology to their victim and if possible, mediate a reconciliation of both parties . When the parents come to collect their children the Manager should ask to speak to them in private and explain the situation. The parents should be reminded of the behaviour policy and explain the steps that have been taken to resolve the situation. . All members of staff should monitor the situation to ensure that further bullying does not take place; if it does occur again the Manager should speak to the parents or carers and inform them of the Managing Behaviour Policy and the actions that may occur if the bullying continues. . If the situation is serious enough, the bully may be excluded from the setting; however this should only be done as a last resort.

All instances of bullying will be recorded and dated in the incident file and on the child’s chronology and parents will be asked to sign to state that the have been informed of the situation.

Scamps Out of School Clubs Ltd. will endeavour to structure a support network for any child who is the victim of bullying. Likewise, Scamps Out of School Clubs Ltd. will extend this network of support to the bully, identifying appropriate help where required.

Reviewed date: