Anti-Bullying Policy

Woody’s Gymnasium will:

recognise its duty of care and responsibility to safeguard all participants from harm
promote and implement this anti-bullying policy in addition to our safeguarding policy and procedures
seek to ensure that bullying behaviour is not accepted or condoned
require all members of Woody’s to be given information about, and sign up to, this policy
take action to investigate and respond to any alleged incidents of bullying
encourage and facilitate children and young people to play an active part in developing and adopting a code of conduct to address bullying
ensure that coaches are given access to information, guidance and/or training on bullying.

Each participant, coach, volunteer or official will:

respect every child’s need for, and rights to, a play environment where safety, security, praise, recognition and opportunity for taking responsibility are available
respect the feelings and views of others
recognise that everyone is important and that our differences make each of us special and should be valued
show appreciation of others by acknowledging individual qualities, contributions and progress
be committed to the early identification of bullying, and prompt and collective action to deal with it
ensure safety by having rules and practices carefully explained and displayed for all to see
report incidents of bullying they see – by doing nothing you are condoning bullying.

Bullying

all forms of bullying will be addressed
everybody at Woody’s has a responsibility to work together to stop bullying
bullying can include online as well as offline behaviour
bullying can include:
physical pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching etc.
name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing and emotional torment through ridicule, humiliation or the continual ignoring of individuals
posting of derogatory or abusive comments, videos or images on social network sites
racial taunts, graffiti, gestures, sectarianism
sexual comments, suggestions or behaviour
unwanted physical contact
children with a disability, from ethnic minorities, young people who are gay or lesbian, or those with learning difficulties are more vulnerable to this form of abuse and are more likely to be targeted.

Support to the child

children and young people should know who will listen to and support them
systems should be established to open the door to children wishing to talk about bullying or any
other issue that affects them
potential barriers to talking (including those associated with a child’s disability or impairment) need to be identified and addressed at the outset to enable children to approach adults for help
children should have access to Helpline numbers
anyone who reports an incident of bullying will be listened to carefully and be supported
any reported incident of bullying will be investigated objectively and will involve listening carefully to all those involved
children being bullied will be supported and assistance given to uphold their right to play and live in a safe environment which allows their healthy development
those who bully will be supported and encouraged to stop bullying
sanctions for those bullying others that involve long periods of isolation, or which diminish and make
individuals look or feel foolish in front of others, will be avoided.

Support to the parents/guardians

parents/guardians should be advised on Woody’s bullying policy and practice
any incident of bullying will be discussed with the child’s parent(s)/guardians
parents will be consulted on action to be taken (for both victim and bully) and agreements made as to what action should be taken
information and advice on coping with bullying will be made available
support should be offered to the parent(s) including information on other agencies or support lines.

Useful contacts

Updated Oct 2020

Open Daily