We’re grateful to the young people from British Youth Council’s Programmes Advisory Council who have developed this guide to involve young people in creating your anti-bullying policy.
We all understand the importance of preventing bullying, but how do we ensure this happens?
In a recent survey of 459 young people carried out by the British Youth Council on behalf of the Safe Network, only 49% of young people knew their youth group’s rules or policy about anti-bullying. The remaining 51% said they didn’t have rules, or they knew there were rules but didn’t know what they were.
Results from ‘Your Experiences: Being Safe’ survey carried out by the British Youth Council on behalf of the Safe Network 2010.
An anti-bullying policy is important in making an organisation safe and inclusive. It allows for young people to feel accepted, safe and comfortable within a youth organisation. An effective anti-bullying policy should encourage and support diversity, as well as outlining clear methods for dealing with any case of reported or suspected bullying.
This fact sheet contains information and advice to help you write and use your own anti-bullying policy.
What is an anti-bullying policy?
A number of different documents would usually be brought together to form your anti-bullying policy.
These should include:
- Equal Opportunities statement – a short paragraph containing information about how your youth group promotes inclusion by encouraging and supporting diversity.
- Ground rules – a set of clear rules or beliefs outlining how members of the group agree to behave. If these ground rules are created and implemented effectively, they should prevent the majority of bullying from occurring.
- Dealing with bullying statement – clear and concise methods for dealing with any report or suspicion of bullying, with consequences for any group or individual found to be bullying. This document will identify named adult/s responsible for monitoring any reports or suspicions of bullying.
Other relevant documents may include:
Young people's views
Young people have said it is important for youth groups to have rules about bullying ‘so everyone feels safe and secure’. We asked from their experiences, how should these rules be approached and enforced? They answered with the following:
- There should be a zero tolerance approach to bullying – all group members should sign up to policy no excuse – although discussion of the policy and rules should be held with all group members able to contribute.
- The policy should be reinforced if there is an issue, to the group or individual as appropriate.
- The ground rules should be recapped at beginning of each meeting or activity, involved in the standard housekeeping. They should be displayed on a noticeboard if possible.
- Young people should be involved in ‘building’ policy, making the ground rules. Then they will know what they are, have a better understanding, and less likelihood of rebelling against simply being told what to do by adults.
- Make sure new members of the group are aware of the policy.
- There should be clarity on what the rules are and what will happen if they are not adhered to.
- Make it visible.
- Running a session or workshop on bullying/equality/inclusion creates awareness of these issues and an opportunity to create the groundrules.
- Incorporate anti-bullying and positive guidelines for participation
Consultation on ‘Your Experiences: Being Safe’ survey carried out by the British Youth Council on behalf of the Safe Network 2010.
How to develop your anti-bullying policy
Involving young people
Your anti-bullying policy can be developed through a number of methods. Certain parts of the policy will be primarily written and used by the adults who work with the group. However, for the most effective policy, it is advisable to develop parts of the policy with the young people in the group. This will ensure that the young people know what the rules are, understand them, and are able to take ownership and responsibility for the group’s behaviour.
Getting support
Building relationships and partnerships with other youth organisations is a good way to help the long-term development and implementation of your anti-bullying policy. By working alongside other organisations on a local and national level, you can effectively share ideas and develop your anti-bullying policy.
Implementing your anti-bullying policy
It is important to show a zero tolerance approach to any forms of bullying. All young people who take part in the group must be made aware of the groundrules and agree to stick to the rules. Concerns can be discussed in the formation of the rules, but agreement to follow the rules must be established from all members of the group.
It can be useful to recap the groundrules at the beginning of each meeting where possible. This aids the implementation of the rules – reminding members of the group what they agreed to. They can also be recapped if there is a minor issue or concern with the group’s behaviour, to reinforce the rules and act as a reminder that there is a policy in place an action will be taken. It is also important to ensure new members are aware of the policy when integrating with the group for the first time.
Top Tips
Authors
Stephen, 17
Linda, 15
Finn, 14
Martin, 25
Craig, 21
Teri-Anne, 12
(All members of the British Youth Council’s Programmes Advisory Council)
The British Youth Council (BYC) is led by young people, for young people aged 25 and under across the UK. BYC connects with a community of member organisations and a network of local youth councils to empower all young people, wherever they’re from, to have a say and be heard. The BYC take on training and volunteering and BYC’s powerful campaigns, both local and global, inspire young people to have a positive impact and make their voices count.