Whole school approach to anti-bullying in schools

The information we hold in schools can provide valuable insights and help us to refine provision and support around bullying.

Use of online reporting

• Using systems such as CPOMs allows all staff to log bullying incidents and receive feedback around actions taken if necessary.
• Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) and other pastoral staff can have elevated access to the site, are alerted to all incidents, this helps to build a picture of what is happening for all children and young people (CYP) involved.
• Advantages to using a system like CPOMs means reports can be generated and data can be analysed more easily.
• When a CYP leaves and enrols in a new school or college, transfers of the individual CYP account can be made electronically if both schools are using the system.
• These online systems are particularly useful for recording bullying as they help support schools to collate incidents that can be easily analysed to determine patterns and emerging trends which may require further action by the school.

Filtering and monitoring systems

• Schools are required to have in place systems to keep CYP safe from harmful content online. Schools will use a range of tools to do this. Schools should also monitor devices to ensure that bullying is not occurring whilst CYP are using apps such as Teams and Google Meets that allow messaging between CYPs.
• See guidance on filtering and monitoring within paragraphs 141-143 of Keeping children safe in education 2023
• Understand what standards your school or college should meet on filtering and monitoring through "Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges" (www.gov.uk).

Reporting to the police

Most bullying incidents are not crimes. But some types of bullying are illegal and should be reported to the police:

• This includes bullying that involves violence or assault; theft; harassment and intimidation over a period of time including calling someone names or threatening them, making abusive phone calls, and sending abusive emails or text messages (one incident is not normally enough to get a conviction); and anything involving hate crimes.
• Some cyberbullying activities could be criminal offences under a range of different laws, including the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (legislation.gov.uk). There have been some instances of such prosecutions in the UK.
• See further guidance in "When to call the police: Guidance for schools and colleges.