Bullying
Bullying happens when one person or group hurts another over and over. It usually happens on purpose to show a power difference. Forms of bullying include:
- physical assault
- teasing
- making threats
- name calling
- cyberbullying (online).
Worried about a friend? Talk to a responsible adult first. For advice on what to say, check the websites below. If you're concerned about your child's bullying or behaviour, talk to their school. They can tell you how they are when they're away from you.
Help if you or someone you know is being bullied
There are many charities to help you. They support you, your child, or your parents. You can find both local and national options.
For children or young people
- Childline (a national charity for all children and young people)
- Cyber bullying policy in school (PDF, 89.4 KB) (a document made by Kent Youth County Council explaining why schools should have a cyber bullying policy).
- Help and support from the Anti-Bullying Alliance (advice, support, videos and tips to help you if you're being bullied).
- Kidscape (a website for young people)
- The Mix (a website for young people)
- Young Minds (a website for young people and their mental health)
Looking out for a friend
- What to do if you see someone being bullied (Kidscape)
- Supporting your friend's mental health (Young Minds)
For parents and carers: help at home
- Advice if your child is being bullied (NSPCC)
- Advice if your special educational needs child is being bullied (Family Lives)
- Advice if your child is bullying others (Anti-Bullying Alliance)
- Explaining what bullying is to your special educational needs child (Scope)
- Supporting your child's mental health (Young Minds)
- Anti bullying training booklet (PDF, 566.7 KB) (Kent Youth County Council)
- Our Kent Local Directory.
For parents and carers: help from school
By law, all schools (not private) must have a behaviour policy in place. The policy should show how they will stop all forms of bullying among pupils. The school makes this policy, and all teachers, pupils, and parents must be aware of it.
Visit GOV.UK to find out how you can support your child or teenager both in and out of school. Here are some other helpful websites:
- Advice for contacting your child's school about bullying (Family Lives)
- Anti-bullying activities at school for special educational needs children (Mencap)
- Being bullied by a teacher (Family Lives)
- Moving school due to bullying (Family Lives)
You can also get support through our Early Help service.
Don't Do Nothing
The 'Don't Do Nothing' campaign was created by young people, for young people. It teaches you how to safely become an active bystander when confronted with bullying, domestic abuse, or knife crime.
You can make a difference by stepping up and saying that what you see is not OK.
