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APPENDIX 3
GUIDANCE FOR STAFF
Quick reference guide for Immediate Response to a student after an incident or disclosure of bullying.
(Staff should be aware of Child Protection procedures)
Stage 1
- Reassure the student.
- Ensure safety of the student - check for injury and take appropriate, necessary action.
- Assess level of distress.
- Do not promise confidentiality.
- Give praise and reassurance.
Stage 2
- Reassure the student that it was OK to TELL.
- If student is very upset, e.g. cannot speak, wait to talk to student, if possible. (If you are the person the student has chosen to talk to try to make time for them. If you came across the incident by other means contact the School Mediator who will take the student to the Mediation room.)
- Be patient and give the student time to tell their story in their own words.
- Explain that you will note down the incident.
- Listen carefully to the student's account.
- Try not to criticise the behaviour of the other student/students involved.
- Accept what is being said - keep an open mind.
- Ask open questions e.g. 'Anything else to tell me?'
- Try not to ask leading questions e.g. 'What did she/he do next?'
- Use prompts such as 'Yes', 'and'.
- Body language is important.
- Recount the story back to the student, clarify you have the correct account.
- Ask the student what they would like to happen next.
- Depending on their response, agree with the student what you are going to do next.
- Be aware that after a disclosure the student may be anxious about the reactions of adults and also the actions of the bully.
- Offer immediate support and plan together what will happen for the rest of the day to ensure safety in school and on the way home.
- Inform School Mediator or if not available Head of Section/Year or if not available Deputy Head Welfare.
FULL INVESTIGATION INSTIGATED
Stage 3
- Make sure you have the student fully supervised if there is an issue of safety.
- Consider allowing him/her to stay in a 'safe' area of school (Office, Mediation Room, Prep Room, D4 at break and lunchtime if necessary either supervised or with a trusted friend.
- Before the end of the day explain what school will do to make sure the bullying behaviour does not reoccur either on the way home or on the following day. This will help to ease any anxiety the student may have overnight.
- If appropriate contact parents.
Stage 4
Follow up next day and inform the School Mediator and/or Head of Section/Year. Continue follow up during the week.
Monitor regularly in the weeks ahead.
(Adapted from 'Bullying - Don't Suffer in Silence and The Anti-Bullying School)
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