Anti-Bullying (including Cyberbullying) Policy

 

Policy Statement

The purpose of this policy is:

●      to help prevent bullying from happening to students in our care

●      to ensure bullying is stopped promptly if it does occur, and that those involved receive the support they need

●      to provide clear guidance for all staff, homestays, volunteers, students, and parents on how to prevent and address bullying

Skywise believes that:

●      children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

●      we have a duty to safeguard all children and young people, promote their welfare, and practise in a way that protects them

We recognise that:

●      bullying can cause serious and lasting emotional and psychological distress

●      it can affect a child’s development, health and in extreme cases, cause significant harm

●      all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse

●      everyone in our community has a responsibility to help prevent and stop bullying, including online

 

Contact Details

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Ms Zhiying Zheng
Mobile: 07792766329
Email: tina.zheng@skywisegroup.com

 

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

 

What is Bullying?

Bullying is behaviour that is repeated over time and intended to hurt someone physically or emotionally. It can be motivated by prejudice based on race, religion, gender, disability, sexuality, or other personal characteristics. Bullying can take place directly or indirectly, including online.

According to the NSPCC, bullying includes:

●      Physical: hitting, pushing, or slapping

●      Verbal: name-calling, gossiping, or threats

●      Non-verbal: gestures, exclusion, or written abuse

●      Emotional: intimidation, humiliation

●      Online/Cyber: digital harassment via social media, messaging, or emails

●      Hate-motivated: racial, homophobic, or disability-based bullying

Warning signs of bullying may include:

●      lost or damaged belongings

●      unexplained injuries

●      reluctance or fear of going to school

●      sudden drop in performance

●      withdrawal, distress, anxiety

●      changes in sleep or eating patterns

●      bullying others

 

Who is at Risk?

Any child can be bullied. Risk factors include:

●      being perceived as different

●      race or ethnic background

●      gender identity or sexual orientation

●      physical or learning disabilities

●      low self-esteem or introversion

●      being popular or successful

●      family or home life circumstances

 

Prevention

Skywise will prevent bullying by:

●      Developing and sharing a code of behaviour that outlines expectations in face-to-face and online interactions

●      Engaging students, homestays, staff, and volunteers in discussions about bullying prevention, empathy, respect, and positive conflict resolution

●      Promoting inclusion and friendship

●      Providing support and training to all staff and homestays to address all forms of bullying, including online, racist, sexist, and homophobic bullying

●      Ensuring responses to incidents consider:

o   the needs of the person being bullied

o   the needs of the person displaying bullying behaviour

o   the needs of any witnesses or bystanders

o   the culture of the organisation as a whole

●      Regularly reviewing any response plan to ensure long-term resolution

●      Sharing this policy with parents to encourage open communication and trust

 

Cyberbullying

What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online or through digital technology. It can happen on social networks, in messaging apps, or through gaming platforms, and can follow a child wherever they go.

Cyberbullying may include:

●      sending abusive or threatening messages

●      sharing embarrassing images or videos

●      online shaming or exclusion

●      trolling or harassment in chat rooms or comment sections

●      creating fake profiles to impersonate or humiliate

●      encouraging self-harm

●      pressuring others into sending explicit images ("sexting")

 

Further Reading and Support on Cyberbullying

Understanding and addressing cyberbullying requires up-to-date knowledge, access to reliable resources, and ongoing support. Whether you're a student, parent, homestay provider, or member of staff, it is important to be aware of how to recognise online abuse, respond appropriately, and support those affected. The following official UK government sources and leading child protection organisations provide guidance, practical tools, and educational materials to help safeguard young people from cyberbullying and other online harms:

🔹 Government and National Guidance

●      UK Government – Preventing and Tackling Bullying (including cyberbullying)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying

●      UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) – Online Harms and Cyberbullying Guidance
https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/uk-council-for-internet-safety-ukcis

🔹 Child Protection and Online Safety Organisations

●      NSPCC – Cyberbullying: What It Is and How to Get Help
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/bullying-and-cyberbullying/

●      Childnet International – Cyberbullying Guidance and PSHE Resources
https://www.childnet.com/help-and-advice/cyberbullying

●      Internet Matters – Cyberbullying Advice for Parents, Carers, and Educators
https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/cyberbullying/

●      Thinkuknow (CEOP) – Resources on Online Bullying and Digital Safety
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/11_18/what-is-cyberbullying/

Procedures

Skywise takes all reports of bullying and cyberbullying seriously and will investigate any concerns raised:

●      Students will be made aware that they can speak to their parents, teachers, homestay providers, or any member of Skywise staff if they are concerned about bullying or harassment.

●      Skywise staff may receive a disclosure of suspected bullying or online abuse from a student, parent, homestay, or another source via face-to-face conversation, email, or phone. This disclosure must be recorded in writing by the staff member receiving it (using the ‘Tell, Explain, Describe’ (TED) model if the report comes from a student).

Example of TED usage in safeguarding guidance (Hampshire LSCP):
🔗 https://www.hampshirescp.org.uk/toolkit/open-questions/

●      Any concern raised must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within 24 hours. The written TED report must also be submitted at this time.

●      The DSL will immediately convene an emergency strategy meeting to:

o   Assess the risk to the student (taking into account any specific vulnerabilities such as age, ability, SEN, or previous safeguarding concerns),

o   Develop and implement an action plan,

o   Monitor and review the situation until a satisfactory resolution is achieved.

o   Written minutes and outcomes of this meeting will be recorded and securely stored.

●      The DSL will ensure that the student receives appropriate emotional support and safeguarding, recognising the stress and potential trauma caused by bullying or cyber abuse.

●      If the incident occurred at school, it will be referred to the school’s DSL to ensure joint action.

●      If the alleged perpetrator is a member of a homestay family or another student residing in the same homestay, Skywise will conduct a full investigation and relocate the student if necessary.

●      In most cases, parents/guardians will be informed of the situation and the actions being taken. This will only be withheld if there is a clear safeguarding concern in doing so.

●      Skywise will support both the victim and the perpetrator (if also in our care) and monitor their wellbeing following an incident.

●      If there is reasonable cause to suspect a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, Skywise will refer the case to local safeguarding agencies immediately.

●      Strong sanctions, including termination of the guardianship agreement, may be applied in cases of severe or repeated bullying.

●      Full written records of all bullying concerns and follow-up actions will be kept confidentially by the DSL.

●      Skywise will take all bullying incidents seriously, even if they appear to be isolated, and appropriate records will be maintained.

Specific Cyberbullying Procedures (in addition to the above)

●      In cyberbullying cases, the student will be supported to:

o   Recognise early warning signs of online abuse.

o   Understand the wider context and motivations behind online bullying.

o   Access helpful information and support from trusted sources such as their school, NSPCC, Childline, and CEOP.

●      NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children):
 https://www.nspcc.org.uk

●      Childline (a service provided by NSPCC):
 https://www.childline.org.uk

●      CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command, part of the National Crime Agency):
 https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre

 

●      The DSL will ensure that any viewing of inappropriate images or content is:

o   Only done when absolutely necessary for safeguarding reasons, and,

o   Carried out in accordance with UKCIS Guidance on Sharing Nudes and Semi-Nudes.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sharing-nudes-and-semi-nudes-advice-for-education-settings-working-with-children-and-young-people

Two senior staff members should be present during any such viewing, ideally including one staff member of the same sex as the student.

●      Staff members will not search through a student’s device or delete imagery unless explicitly authorised by the DSL for safeguarding reasons.

●      The DSL may request that a student voluntarily provide their device. Any viewing or seizing of content must be logged (with details including date, time, and who was present).

●      A referral to statutory services (e.g. Children’s Services or the police) will be made immediately if:

o   The incident involves an adult.

o   There is evidence of coercion, grooming, or blackmail.

o   The content involves sexual activity that is violent or not age-appropriate.

o   The imagery includes sexual content involving a child under the age of 13.

o   The young person appears to be at risk of suicide or self-harm.

o   Illegal activities are suspected, even if there is no immediate risk.

●      If the above do not apply, the DSL may decide to manage the situation internally while documenting all decision-making in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. This decision can be reviewed and escalated if new concerns arise.

●      In such cases, the DSL may instruct the student to delete the imagery or content and provide written confirmation. They should be given a deadline to remove the content from all devices, cloud storage, or social media. If the student refuses or is later found to have retained the material, the police may become involved.

●      If staff have unavoidably viewed youth-produced sexual content, the DSL will ensure those staff receive emotional support as such exposure may be distressing.

●      If the police investigate an incident involving a staff member or volunteer, internal disciplinary procedures at Skywise will commence only after the police action concludes. In such cases, suspension is likely while the investigation takes place.

 

Related Policies and Procedures

This policy should be read in conjunction with the following organisational documents:

●      Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

●      Code of Conduct for Staff, Homestays, and Volunteers

●      Student Behaviour Code of Conduct

●      Online Safety Policy

 

Review 

 

This policy will be reviewed annually or in response to any significant changes in legislation, operational procedures, or following a serious incident.

 

 

 

Last Reviewed: Katherine Lee 01/03/2025
Next Review Due: 01/03/2026