As a school we recognise that reporting a concern of bullying type behaviour can be difficult. For this reason, we have systems in place to enable pupils, parents, and any other person to share concerns discreetly and efficiently with a trusted adult. All concerns of bullying type behaviour will be responded to in line with legislative processes as outlined in this policy. 

Pupils Reporting a Concern

Pupils may report bullying type concerns in the following ways:

• Verbally sharing with a staff member
• By writing a note to a staff member
• By sending an email to a teacher/using private message on Google classroom etc
• Using a confidential online reporting tool
• Placing the concern in the ‘Worry Box’

All pupils are encouraged to share concerns regarding socially unacceptable or bullying type behaviour that they experience, display or witness. They should not view this as ‘telling’ but rather ‘talking about concerns’ with the emphasis on ‘getting help’. 

Parents/Carers or Others Reporting a Concern

In the first instance, parents/carers or others report concerns to their child’s Class/Form Teacher in one of the following ways:

• Speaking with the Class/Form Teacher through agreed channels e.g. by requesting a telephone call back via the school office or general email info@XXXXXXXXXXXXX
• By writing a note to a Class/Form Teacher
• By sending an email to a Class/Form Teacher

Please note, we do not advise parents to send confidential information regarding concerns of bullying type behaviour to the general school email address.

Should you continue to have concerns following contact with your child’s class/form teacher, please contact the Year Head/Head of Key Stage/Senior Teacher/Vice Principal/Principal (stepped response)

Please note in the first instance teaching and support staff including teaching assistants, lunchtime supervisors, office staff etc should also report any concerns directly to the child’s class/form teacher in a timely manner as above.

Responding to and Recording a Bullying Type Concern

(Note 3: Transfer to use of EDIS To comply with legislation, following the transfer of systems schools will move BCAF reporting, recording and data storage processes to EDIS.)

It is the responsibility of all staff (including teachers, teaching assistants, wider support staff, office staff, supervisors etc) to report any bullying type of behaviour concerns. All allegations of bullying type behaviour will be responded to using the Statutory Process Flowchart (see appendix 2), recorded digitally on a Bullying Concern Assessment Form (BCAF) Chart (see appendix 3) and stored on the school data management system (EDIS). Records will be maintained in line with our Data Protection Policy in a private folder within central records, password protected and open only to key personnel e.g. SLT / DT/VP/P. 

Upon receipt of a concern of bullying type behaviour, designated staff will:

• Clarify facts and perceptions.
• Check records and previous assessments.
• Collaboratively assess the incident using the T.R.I.P. criteria (Record on BCAF Part 1). 

Where bullying type behaviour has been confirmed and in consultation with pupils involved and their parents/carers. Designated staff (list the staff) will ensure that parts 2-4 of the BCAF are completed will:

• Identify methods and potential motivating factors (Record on BCAF Part 2).
• Identify relevant level of support and intervention (Levels 1-4).
• Select appropriate support and interventions (see appendix 4) for all pupils involved (Record on BCAF Part 3a for the pupil experiencing and 3b for the pupil displaying).
• Ensure selected approaches are aligned to and in the context of wider safeguarding, SEND, Equality and diversity, and positive behaviour policies.
• Implement, track, monitor and record effectiveness of supports and interventions (BCAF Part 3).
• Review outcome of interventions (Record on BCAF Part 4).
• Select and implement further interventions as necessary.
• Based on the level of progress, revisit BCAF Parts 3a and 3b or proceed to case closure.  

Please note details of support and intervention plans cannot be disclosed to anyone other than that pupil and their parents/carers.