‘The Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (N.I.) 2016’ provides schools with a legal definition which must be used by all schools to assess reported concerns of bullying type behaviour.

TRIP

While the legal definition, as set out in the Act, is the primary definition, we also use the mnemonic TRIP. This helps to build a shared understanding across our school community of the difference between socially unacceptable and bullying type behaviour.

Socially unacceptable behaviour becomes bullying type behaviour when, after clarifying facts and perceptions, TRIP is confirmed:

(Note 2: Consideration of an imbalance of power The Department of Education Addressing Bullying in Schools Statutory Guidance (2021) states that schools should consider the following:

“Whilst the term “imbalance of power” is not contained within the statutory definition in Northern Ireland, it is a long-standing element of bullying behaviour and internationally recognised by leading academics. Schools may wish to consider including imbalance of power within their own definitions of bullying.”

While an ‘imbalance of power’ has not been included in the legal definition, the Board of Governors have agreed to incorporate this criterion to help determine if bullying type behaviour was targeted.  An ‘imbalance of power’ is present when someone seen with lesser power, is identified as an object of negative attention. It will be used to validate and confirm the final TRIP decision.

(Note 3: One-Off incidents:

The Department of Education Addressing Bullying in Schools Statutory Guidance (2021) states that schools should consider the following:

“Schools have the discretion to include one-off acts of bullying behaviour provided their policy stipulates that one-off incidents, in certain circumstances, will be treated as such. The Anti-Bullying Policy should NOT specify incidents that will be considered bullying; instead, the policy should set out the criteria that will be used by school staff to assess whether the incidents will be addressed through the Addressing Bullying Policy or Positive Behaviour Policy.”

Although incidents usually involve repetition, a one-off incident may be classified as bullying type behaviour through consideration of the following criteria.

• severity and significance of the incident (See appendix 4)
• evidence of pre-meditation
• psychological/physical impact of the incident on the individuals and/or wider school community
• previous relationship(s) between those involved.
• any previous incident(s) involving the individuals.

A one-off electronic communication can constitute bullying type behaviour through repeated viewing and unwanted sharing of a post.

The 2016 Act requires school to consider whether a pupil(s) intended to cause harm when determining if the incident(s) meets the legal definition. In this school, we will consider the following when assessing TRIP. 

The pupil(s):

• capacity to regulate and understand the impact of their behaviour
• developmental age
• additional, educational, special, physical, or medical needs
• behaviours displayed/presenting profile (diagnosed or undiagnosed e.g. Social Behaviour Emotional Wellbeing, Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Moderate Learning Difficulties etc.)
• individual circumstances e.g. trauma profile, safeguarding concerns, family circumstances and resilience

Omission will be considered when addressing bullying type concerns. This is where a pupil(s) is or are wilfully excluded from a game, activity or group work etc causing potential psychological harm. Pupils do not have to be friends in this school, but friendly.  

Language

We recognise that all behaviour is communication and should be addressed through a learner centred lens for those who display and experience socially unacceptable or bullying type behaviour. We will address all behaviour in a relational, solution focused manner aligned to Safeguarding and SEND.

When discussing allegations of bullying type behaviour, we use language that is aligned to the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (NI) 2016, and other relevant legislation and guidance (see appendix 1). We refer to the behaviour not the pupil and use the following:

• pupil displaying bullying type behaviour rather than the ‘bully’.
• pupil experiencing bullying type behaviour rather than the ‘victim’.
• socially unacceptable behaviour rather than ‘bad behaviour’ or ‘serious/gross misconduct etc’

Any incident(s) which do not meet the legal definition and TRIP criteria will be addressed under the Positive Behaviour, Special Educational Needs, Child Protection, Safeguarding, Pastoral and Inclusion and Diversity policies. (Please see the parent and pupil guides in appendix 6). 

Journey To and From School

The Act outlines a statutory requirement for schools to implement measures to prevent and address bullying type behaviour for pupils whilst travelling to and from school. To this end, in our school we: 

Schools include examples of measures to address bullying type behaviour while travelling to/from school e.g.

• Address safeguarding concerns reported in relation to travel to and from school.
• Provide timely support and intervention.
• Assign staff to support a structured, supervised transition at the beginning and end of the school day.
• Agree a scaffolded support plan to address individual needs, regulation and vulnerabilities.
• Reinforce positive and upstanding behaviour expectations through the preventative curriculum.
• Engage with student voice about experiences on the journey to and from school.
• Promote and develop a culture where all pupils respect the rights of others to travel safely.
• Communicate consistently the expectation to include and respect individual rights and diversity.
• Ensure effective communication with transport providers (e.g. Translink, EA Transport, etc.) for early identification and response to reported concerns.
• Provide reporting mechanisms for school and the local community to report concerns. confidentially e.g. safeguarding email address, ‘whisper button’.

Electronic Communication

The Addressing Bullying in Schools Act enables school to take steps to help prevent and address online bullying type behaviour involving registered pupils during term time. We acknowledge that negative online behaviour occurring either in or out of school hours, can harm a pupil’s education and emotional well-being, and we will support affected individuals. We are committed to supporting our pupils to use the internet safely, responsibly, and respectfully. 

The Addressing Bullying Policy is one of several school policies that address electronic behaviour and are reviewed in response to technological developments. As such, follow up is aligned to the wider policy suite (see page 3). 

We aim to prevent electronic bullying type behaviour by:

Schools to specify the preventative and responsive measures to address electronic bullying type behaviour e.g.

• Addressing key themes of electronic online behaviour and risk through curriculum content.
• Engaging with statutory and voluntary sector agencies and resources (e.g. Safeguarding Board NI, PSNI, Public Health Agency, Safer Schools App) to support the promotion of key messages and online safe digital use.
• Participating in Safer Electronic/Online/Cyber Campaigns to promote key messages.
• Addressing reported safeguarding concerns in relation to the misuse of electronic communication and provide timely support and intervention.
• Providing reporting mechanisms for school and wider community to report concerns confidentially e.g. safeguarding email address, ‘whisper button’
• Creating, agreeing and implementing an Acceptable Use Agreements see DE Circular 2016/27
• Ensuring all staff regularly have on-line safety training