Anti - Bullying Policy
Statement of intent
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our children so they can play football in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is UNACCEPTABLE at our club. If bullying does occur, all children should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a telling club. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the club.
What is bullying?
Bullying is deliberately hurtful behavior, repeated over time, where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend them selves. It can take many forms, but the three main types are physical (e.g. hitting, kicking, theft), verbal (e.g. name calling, racists remarks) or indirect (e.g. spreading rumors).
Single incidences of verbal or physical attack and behavior which is hurtful will be taken seriously by the club as well.
These are some of the ways children and young people have described bullying:
Being called names
Being teased or ridiculed
Being pushed or pulled about
Being it, attacked or intimidated
Having their possessions taken and thrown about
Having rumors spread about them
Being ignored and left out
Being taken advantage of; e.g. being forced to hand over possessions of money
Being attacked because of their religion, race or colour, gender or sexuality
Being sent threatening notes, emails, text messages or threatening phone calls
Gang pressure
Why is it important to respond to bullying?
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Children who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.
The club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.
Objectives of this policy
All managers, coaches, children and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.
All managers and coaches should know what the club policy is on bullying and follow it when bullying is reported.
All children should know what the club policy is on bullying and what they should do if bullying arises.
As a club we take bullying seriously. Children and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
Bullying will not be tolerated.
Why do children sometimes bully other children?
Children might bully because:
They may have not been taught that it is wrong to bully.
They may think it is a bit of fun.
They are copying older siblings, friends, parents or even club staff.
They are encouraged to bully by friends
They themselves have been a victim of bullying.
How can parents and families help the club prevent bullying?
Parents and families have an important role to play in helping to deal with bullying. They can do this by:
Discouraging your child from using bullying behavior anywhere including your home.
Watch out for signs that your child is being bullied or is bullying others.
Contact the club at the first sign if you are worried that your child is being bullied or is a bully.
Encourage your child to participate in the club.
Avoid negative comments whilst your child is playing a game.
When giving feedback to your child remember the positives as well as the negatives. There is always a positive however bad you feel your child has played this should be the feedback your child remembers.
Signs a child may be being bullied are:
A child is afraid to go to training or a game
Changes his routine
Child becomes withdrawn, anxious or lacking in confidence
A child attempts suicide, runs away or hurts themselves deliberately (self-harm)
A child has nightmares, cries himself to sleep or starts wetting the bed.
A child gives an improbable excuse for any of the above
What can you do if you think your child is being bullied?
Ask your child directly.
Take any incidents of bullying that they tell you about seriously
Talk calmly with your child about their experiences
Make a note of what your child says
Reassure your child that they have done the right thing on telling you
Contact your child's team manager or the club child protection officer for advice.
Understand that your child may need to change aspects of their behavior
Never approach another parent directly
Do not encourage your child to retaliate
How can you approach the club about your worries?
Contact the club as soon as possible
Always try to be calm
Be clear as possible about what your child says has happened
What the club will do
Take your concern seriously
Investigate the issue and report back to you
Keep a record of the incident and any action taken
We will attempt to get the bully to change behavior
We will ask the bully to apologize
Outcomes
All episodes of bullying will be taken seriously and any child found to have bullied another member of the club will be asked to apologize and change their behavior.
The child protection officer will investigate the complaint and report back to the committee and the parent.
CHILD PROTECTION
ANY PERSONS FOUND TO BE BULLYING WLL BE SUBJECT TO THE CLUBS DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE SET BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTE WHO WILL HAVE THE POWER TO;
1. WARN AS TO FUTURE CONDUCT
2. SUSPEND FROM MEMBERSHIP
3. REMOVE FROM MEMBERSHIP.hen the decision will be taken by the Chair, Team Manager and the Child protection Officer. Should the child be related to the committee members above then an alternate will be found.
June 2007
This policy will be reviewed in June 2008.
