ESSEX YOUTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE'S ANTI-BULLYING REPORT 2009

ESSEX YOUTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE'S ANTI-BULLYING REPORT 2009

Click here to see the full version of the report or see below for the report summary.

 

The purpose of the Essex Youth Scrutiny Committee, like other scrutiny committees, is to look at important issues, talk to decision makers and put forward recommendations to make things more effective.

 

Having consulted with over 1,500 young people in South Essex last year, the Committee found that bullying was the most important issue for young people.

 

It was for this reason that the Committee chose anti-bullying for their first scrutiny report.  Knowing that their report would be presented to Essex County Council's Scrutiny Board and form part of the Scrutiny Board Chairman's report to Full Council, meant that it would help influence decision makers at Essex County Council and its partner organisations including schools.  Thereby making a real difference for young people in Essex.

 

The report starts by detailing who the EYSC members are, what difference and impact they can make and how the Committee chose anti-bullying as their first scrutiny topic.  The report goes on to provide background information about bullying, how the Committee gathered its evidence and key information that came out of the witness sessions.  Towards the end of the report is a list of 12 recommendations.  These include:

RECOMMENDATION 1

The good work that is being done by all agencies should be fully co-ordinated to ensure maximum benefit for the young people of Essex.  Agencies should work together to do everything possible to enable victims of bullying to speak out at the earliest opportunity.

 

RECOMMENDATION 2

Agencies should pool funding or seek sponsorship to create a confidential "Bully Text Alert" service that enables:

  • Victims to report bullying and gain support
  • Young people who witness bullying to report it anonymously
  • Bullies who want to stop to find support

This should be promoted via "flagpens" or cards to all children and young people in Essex and link to support offered through existing services, including police, health & youth services.

 

RECOMMENDATION 3

The Young Essex Assembly should be consulted in the development of promotion and marketing of the "Bully Text Alert" service.  They should consult with other young people to ensure the design is young people friendly.

 

RECOMMENDATION 4

Schools and Passenger Transport should require all school transport operators to use and monitor CCTV and adopt the best practice standards set by the best of the operators in Essex.

 

RECOMMENDATION 5

Schools and Passenger Transport should classify reported incidences of bad behaviour on school transport operators; including a specific bullying classification.

 

RECOMMENDATION 6

All new teachers and professionals working with young people should receive anti-bullying training that is updated regularly and co-ordinated to give the same messages.  This should include training around positive relationships, body image and assertiveness skills.

 

RECOMMENDATION 7

The Schools, Children and Families Directorate should ensure the adoption of best practice across all schools.  This will include all schools ensuring that their anti-bullying policy is openly displayed and that it is clearly explained to all pupils, their parents/carers and professionals.  This should include sanctions for bullying, rights of appeal and pastoral support available for both the bullied and bullies.

 

RECOMMENDATION 8

All schools should have an effective CCTV surveillance system monitoring inside and outside the school.

 

RECOMMENDATION 9

Anti-bullying should be on the Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) curriculum, to include positive relationships, peer pressure, body image and assertiveness skills.  This should be co-ordinated from the range of agencies currently offering in-school training.

 

RECOMMENDATION 10

All schools should record and report incidents of bullying, including pupil absence due to bullying and make this information available.

 

RECOMMENDATION 11

Existing Peer Mentor schemes in schools should be evaluated and deloped in other schools, based on "what works".

 

RECOMMENDATION 12

The Health Care in School, South Essex Pilot Scheme should be recommended as an example of best practice to the other Primary Care Trusts in Essex.

 

The Committee will be meeting in May 2010 to ensure that their recommendations are being implemented, ensuring that they have not been forgotten and that something is being done about them.

 

To see the full version of the report, please click here.