What are the statutory duties of School Governors in relation to the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (NI) 2016?
Governor Duty To Secure Measures to Help Prevent and Support Those Impacted by Bullying Type Behaviour
| Governors must ensure: | Act to ensure: | Accountability |
|---|---|---|
| Preventative measures are mapped to scaffold the environment to reduce opportunity | Outcomes are tracked & monitored, to inform policy review. The updated preventative measures are agreed, shared with pupils, parents/carers & staff. |
Governors have collective responsibility to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of all pupils in school. The Addressing Bullying in Schools policy must work in collaboration with the wider suite of safeguarding policies. (Chair is a member of the Safeguarding team)
|
| Preventative measures are implemented and kept under review ‘at intervals of no more than 4 years’ or in response to changing emerging needs. | Policy regularly assessed using evidence generated from and statistical reports provided to governors (standing agenda item) | |
| Governors may consider preventative measures to which involves the journey to and from school during term time or the use of electronic communication that is likely to impact on educational achievements. | ||
Duty To Keep a Record of Incidents of Bullying
| Governors must ensure: | Actions through standing item on agenda: |
|---|---|
A record is kept of:
| Scrutinise and challenge:
|
| Governors must ensure that the Addressing Bullying in Schools policy is kept under review e.g. following a serious incident, considering statistical analysis and as part of the ongoing recommended annual review of the suite of Safeguarding policies using for e.g. the current ETI phase appropriate Safeguarding Proforma. | |
How can School Governors support policy review in relation to The Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (NI) 2016
Key themes of policy review are rooted in the approach that all behaviour is communication and as such, the following are advised.
- ‘Addressing Bullying Policy’ rather than ‘Anti-bullying Policy’. The name change aligns to the name of the legislation.
- Consistency of approach across all pastoral policies, particularly the school Positive Behaviour Policy.
- School policy meets the requirements of legislation and guidance.
- Effective school Systems and Processes are in place to meet requirements of legislation and guidance.
- Bullying type behaviour is addressed through an SEN, Safeguarding lens; following Code of practice rather than code of conduct.
- School supports the use of child centred consequences rather than sanctions.
- School approach emphasises on Prevention. Nurture and Trauma Informed approaches are advised.
- Solution Focused Plans of support are used to help children stop socially unacceptable or bullying type behaviour.
- The Voice of all involved is listened and responded to in a supportive and solution focussed way.
- All stakeholders are aware of and understand their individual Rights, Roles & Responsibilities.
How can School Governors help promote good practice in schools?
To promote good practice in schools, School Governors could:
- Appoint a lead governor to oversee policy development, implementation and review procedures, and liaise with the principal e.g. designated safeguarding, pastoral care governor.
- Maintain reported concerns of bullying type behaviour as a standing item on the agenda under Safeguarding. School principals may use the pro-forma in the policy template to frame their report to governors.
- Minute the number of concerns of bullying type behaviour reported, including methods and motivations of confirmed cases.
- Monitor, review and analyse data in relation to confirmed cases of bullying type behaviour. Identify and respond to emerging patterns and trends and use these to inform future policy and practice.
- Record written responses to stakeholders when appropriate.
Review the school’s Addressing Bullying Policy in consultation with all school community stakeholders:
- At intervals of no less than four years (this is a minimum requirement. School may choose to review more frequently), or
- Following any complex incident which highlights the need for such a review.
- When reviewing other associated policies such as the Safeguarding Policy and the Positive Behaviour Policy.
- In response to a recommendation by the Education and Training Inspectorate.
- Following new guidance as directed by the Department of Education.