Your first point of contact is your child’s teacher. When you speak to a teacher about bullying, they should listen and tell you how they plan to respond to stop the bullying. When bullying is reported, teachers are usually able to solve the problem by talking to or disciplining those involved:
- If possible, make an appointment by telephone or in person with your child’s teacher; arriving before or after class can mean conversations are hurried or cut short.
- Make notes about the key issues you want to discuss.
- Ask to have a follow up meeting after reporting to make sure all issues have been dealt with appropriately.
- If your child is being bullied by a teacher, you should speak to another teacher that you trust (head teacher, head of year, or designated safeguarding lead).
- Check with your child what they would like to see happen, and if they want to be present for discussions with their teacher.
Reporting Bullying
- Keep a written record of events, incidents, and injuries. This will help give a consistent and accurate record of the bullying to teachers at school. Make sure to keep a record of events, times, dates, who was involved, witnesses, and effects on your child. Don’t forget to include conversations you have had with teachers.
- During the time or after your child has been bullied, support them to improve their confidence and self-esteem by joining clubs, trying new activities, and meeting new friends.
- Tell the school every time something happens. Schools have lots of ways to tackle bullying, and it is their legal duty to do so.
- If your child is too scared or stressed to attend school, you should inform their teacher.
- If you have concerns about your child’s health and emotional wellbeing, you should bring them to their GP.
- Talk with your child to identify supports to help them cope. This can include you, helplines like Childline, or seeing a school counsellor.
- Try and keep a discreet eye on their social media accounts. Posts can give a strong indication as to their health and well-being and the status of their level of self-esteem.
- If they have a best friend and you have a good relationship with their parent or carer, consider talking to them. They are likely to know if your child is having a bad time or expressing themselves in a negative way on social media.
Making a complaint
If you are not satisfied with how your child’s school has responded to bullying, there are a number of more formal routes you can take to resolve the issue.
If you have child protection or safeguarding concerns, you should speak to the Safeguarding Lead or Principal in your child’s school. If bullying involves a crime, you should tell the police or the ask the NSPCC to do this for you.
If your child has been threatened or you have immediate concern for their safety or that of another child, you should contact the police on 999 (emergency number) immediately.