BULLYING OF ANY kind is unacceptable within BDSFA. If bullying does occur, all stakeholders can voice their concerns and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to inform the Safeguarding Officer, other committee members or team managers/coaches.
What Is Bullying?
BDSFA defines bullying as: “Behaviour by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally”
(DfE, Safe to Learn: Embedding anti-bullying work in schools, 2007)
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. Individuals who bully need to learn different ways of behaving. Bullying will not be tolerated within BDSFA and we recognise our responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to any issues of bullying.
What is Bullying?
Bullying may include:
- verbal abuse -name-calling, taunting, mocking, making offensive comments;
- physical harm –kicking, hitting, pushing;
- taking belongings;
- inappropriate text messaging and emailing(cyberbullying);
- sending offensive or degrading messages by phone or via the internet;
- producing offensive graffiti;
- gossiping;
- excluding people from groups;
- spreading hurtful rumours.
Specific types of bullying may be related to include:
- race, religion or culture;
- Special Education Needs (SEN) or other disabilities;
- appearance or health conditions;
- sexual orientation/transgender;
- young carers/looked-after children or related to home circumstances;
- sexist or sexual bullying.
There is no hierarchy of bullying: all forms are taken equally seriously and dealt with appropriately.
Signs and Indicators
A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:
- says he or she is being bullied;
- is unwilling to attend training sessions, matches or other activities;
- becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence;
- feels ill before team activities;
- comes home with clothes torn or equipment damaged;
- has possessions go “missing”;
- asks for money or starts stealing money;
- has unexplained cuts or bruises;
- is frightened to say what’s wrong;
- gives improbable excuses for any of the above.
These signs and behaviours may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated
In the event of bullying taking place:
- Any incidents of bullying should be reported as above
- The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying will be investigated and the bullying investigated quickly
- An attempt will be made to help the bully / bullies) change their behaviour
BDSFA Bullying Procedure
1) Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.
2) Members of the BDSFA committee will meet with the parent and child alleging bullying to ascertain details of the allegation. Minutes may be taken for clarity, which should be agreed by all as a true account.
3) The same committee members will meet with the alleged bully and parent(s)and put the incident raised to them to answer and give their view of the allegation. Minutes may again be taken and agreed.
4) If the committee agree that bullying has taken place, the following procedures may be implemented: a) consideration will be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate at this time; b) the individual shall be warned and put on notice that if a further incident(s) occurs, a temporary or permanent suspension may be implemented and the Head Teacher of the player’s school will be informed; c) if the initial incident is considered serious enough, the player will be asked to leave the squad with immediate effect (again, the Head Teacher of the player’s school will be informed); d) if necessary, the police will be informed.
5) All coaches involved with the individual(s) concerned shall be made aware of the concerns and outcome of the disciplinary process.
In the case of adults reported to be bullying anyone within the association:
1) The BDSFA committee shall be informed – this will normally be the Chairman, Safeguarding Officer and/or the Secretary;
2) A meeting involving the BDSFA committee, together with those alleging the bullying incident(s) will be held with minutes taken;
3) If necessary, the county FA/SFA/Head Teachers shall be informed and will advise on further action to be taken;
4) In most cases where the allegation is made regarding an official or coach; The FA’s child protection and best practice awareness training may be recommended.
5) More serious cases may be referred to the police, social services or judicial complaints procedure.
Other Sources of Information:
The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA): Founded in 2002 by NSPCC and National Children’s Bureau, the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) brings together over 100 organisations into one network to develop and share good practice. The ABA has also put together a fact sheet outlining the range of support that is available to schools and young people from the anti-bullying sector which can be accessed at http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/advice/support-from-the-sector/.
Kidscape: Charity established to prevent bullying and promote child protection providing advice for young people, professionals and parents about different types of bullying and how to tackle it. They also offer specialist training and support for school staff, and assertiveness training for young people – 0207 7303300
Think U Know: Resources provided by Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) for children and young people, parents, carers and teachers.
Childline: 0800 1111
Parentline Plus: 0808 800 2222
Last reviewed: August 2023