1.0 PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY - To protect the rights of those that access our services to have a safe and secure learning environment Art of Protest will continuously work towards preventing acts of bullying, harassment, and other forms of aggression and violence as these behaviours are unacceptable. The aim of the policy is to help members of the school community to deal with bullying when it occurs and, even more importantly, to prevent it. If bullying arises, Art of Protest will follow the anti-bullying guidelines laid out in this policy. This will enable Art of Protest to: Model positive behaviour to achieve our 5 c’s model: curiosity, creativity, collaboration, confidence and capability Identify children displaying unacceptable behaviour and know how to support them in order that they develop the necessary skills to to contribute positively in the community Keep all other children safe, happy, confident and creative.
‍2.0 OUR VALUES - Art of Protest aims to prevent bullying of any sort and to ensure that everyone can operate in a supportive, caring and safe environment without fear of being bullied. All members of Art of Protest and those that access our services, parents/carers and the community should have an understanding of what bullying is, and be familiar with our policy on bullying.Bullying is an anti-social behaviour which affects everyone; it is unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated. Everyone in the community has a responsibility to report any incident of bullying that comes to their attention and these reports will always be taken seriously. 
‍3.0 LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE - The principal pieces of legislation governing this policy are: Human Rights Act (1998) and Equality Act (2010), including the Public Sector Equality DutyProtection from Harassment Act 1997 Malicious Communications Act 1988 Public Order Act 1986 Communications Act 2003 Crime and Disorder Act1998 Education Act 2011 This policy has been written in accordance with guidance, including, but not limited to: DfE ‘Preventing and Tackling Bullying’ Advice for headteachers, staff and governing bodies July 2017 DfE ‘Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges’ 2018 DfE ‘Mental Health and wellbeing provision in schools’ 2018.
‍3.0 DEFINITIONS AND IMPACT ‍Definition of bullying For the purpose of this policy, ‘bullying’ is defined as persistent behaviour by an individual or group with the intention of verbally, physically, or emotionally harming another person or group. All children have upsets and squabbles; these are not classed as bullying and are dealt with through the Behaviour Policy. 
‍Bullying is generally characterised by: Repetition: Incidents are not one-offs; they are frequent and happen over a period of time. Intent: The perpetrator(s) means to cause verbal, physical or emotional harm; it is not accidental. Targeting: Bullying is generally targeted at a specific individual or group. Power imbalance: Whether real or perceived, bullying is generally based on unequal power relations. Vulnerable pupils are more likely to be the targets of bullying due to the attitudes and behaviours some young people may have towards those who are different from themselves. 
‍Definition of cyber-bullying: Cyber-bullying is the use of technology such as mobile phones, email, chat rooms or social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter to harass, threaten, embarrass, intimidate or target a child. Unlike physical bullying, cyber-bullying can often be difficult to track as the cyber-bully (the person responsible for the acts of cyber-bullying) can remain anonymous when threatening others online, encouraging them to behave more aggressively than they might face-to-face. 
‍Types of bullying: Physical: Deliberately physically hurting particular children on a regular basis; Verbal: Deliberately hurting feelings through name-calling etc; Ostracising: Making someone feels left out and different by deliberately setting out to exclude them Racist bullying: Bullying another person based on their ethnic background, religion or skin colour. Racist bullying is a criminal offence under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and Public Order Act 1986. Homophobic Bullying: Bullying another person because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. People may be a target of this type of bullying because of their appearance, behaviour, physical traits or because they have friends or family who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning or possibly just because they are seen as being different. Homophobic bullying is the most frequent form of bullying after name calling. According to Stonewall’s School report, 96% of gay pupils hear homophobic remarks such as ‘puff’ or lezza’ used in school. 99% hear phrases such as ‘that’s so gay’ or ‘you’re so gay’ in school. 54% of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people don’t feel there is an adult at school who they can talk to about being gay. Transphobic bullying: Bullying based on another person’s gender variance or for not conforming to dominant gender roles. Sexist bullying: Bullying based on sexist attitudes expressed in a way to demean, intimidate or harm another person because of their sex or gender. Sexist bullying may sometimes be characterised by inappropriate sexual behaviours. Sexual bullying: Bullying behaviour that has a physical, psychological, verbal or non-verbal sexual dimension/dynamic that subordinates, humiliates or intimidates another person. This is commonly underpinned by sexist attitudes or gender stereotypes. Prejudicial bullying: Bullying based on prejudices directed towards specific characteristics, e.g. SEND or mental health issues. Relational bullying: Bullying that primarily constitutes of excluding, isolating and ostracizing someone – usually through verbal and emotional bullying. Online (Cyber) Danesgate Community has a separate policy related to online safety addressing the use of mobile technology, social media, appropriate online activity, security, access and monitoring procedures in place. Types of cyber-bullying Flaming: Online fights usually through emails, instant messaging or chat rooms where angry and rude comments are exchanged. Denigration: Putting mean online messages through email, instant messaging, chat rooms, or websites set up to make fun of someone. Exclusion: Intentionally leaving someone out of a group such as instant messaging, friend sites, or other online group activities. Outing: Sharing secrets about someone online including private information, pictures, and videos. Trickery: Tricking someone into revealing personal information then sharing it with others. Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else when sending or posting mean or false messages online. Harassment: Repeatedly sending malicious messages to someone online. Cyber-stalking: Continuously harassing and denigration including threats of physical harm. 
‍Actions NOT considered to be bullying: Not liking someone. Accidentally bumping into someone. Making other children play things a certain way. A single act of telling a joke about someone. Arguments. Expression of unpleasant thoughts or feelings regarding others.Isolated acts of harassment, aggressive behaviour, intimidation, or meanness. Reasons for bullying Some reasons why children might bully someone include: They think it's fun, or that it makes them popular or ‘cool’ They feel more powerful or important, or they want to get their own way all the time; They feel insecure or lack confidence or are trying to fit in with a group; They are fearful of other children's differences; They are jealous of another child; They are unhappy; They are copying what they have seen others do before, or what has been done to them. 
‍The effects of bullying: All forms of bullying cause psychological, emotional and physical stress. Each child's response to being bullied is unique, however some signs that may point to a bullying problem are: depression and anxiety;increased feelings of sadness, helplessness, decreased self-esteem and loneliness; loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy; unexplainable injuries; lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewellery; frequent headaches or stomach-aches, feeling sick or faking illness; changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating.difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares; declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school;sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations; self-destructive behaviours such as running away from home or school, harming themselves, or talking about suicide.
‍4.0 RESPONSIBILITIESAll staff: (paid or unpaid) have responsibility to follow the guidance provided in this policy and related policies, and to pass on bullying concerns. We expect all staff (paid or unpaid) to promote good practice by being an excellent role model and address bullying. Under the Equality Act 2010, we have a responsibility to  Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the act; Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.Although bullying itself is not a criminal offence, some types of harassment, threatening behaviour and/or communications may be considered criminal offences: Under the Malicious Communications Act 1988, it is an offence for a person to electronically communicate with another person with the intent to cause distress or anxiety, or in a way which conveys a message which is indecent or grossly offensive, a threat, or contains information which is false and known or believed to be false by the sender. The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 makes it an offence to knowingly pursue any course of conduct amounting to harassment. Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 makes it an offence to send, by means of a public electronic communications network, a message, or other matter, that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character. It is unlawful to disseminate defamatory information through any media, including internet sites. Other forms of bullying which are illegal and should be reported to the police include: violence or assault, theft, repeated harassment or intimidation and hate crimes.The Executive Chair has responsibility to ensure the policy is in place and appropriate. The Senior Management Team have responsibility to ensure The policy is accessibleThe policy is implemented The policy is monitored and reviewed Sufficient resources are allocated to ensure the policy can be effectively implemented Senior Management and the Designated Safeguarding lead have responsibility to ensure:Promote the welfare of children and young people Ensure staff  (paid and unpaid) have access to appropriate training/information  Receive staff concerns about bullying and respond to all seriously, swiftly and appropriately Keep up to date with local arrangements and guidance  Develop and maintain effective links with relevant agenciesTake forward concerns about responsesThose that access Art of Protest provision and servicesTreat everyone with respect and adhere to this policy Individuals are encouraged to tell somebody they trust if they are being bullied and if the bullying continually they must keep on letting people knowCounter threats are not to be made if they are victims of bullyingWalk away from dangerous situations and avoid involving others in incidents Keep and share evidence of cyber-bullying. 
‍5. STRATEGIES TO REDUCE BULLYING Art of Protest use a range of strategies to prevent and reduce bullying, to raise awareness of bullying and support victims and those displaying bullying behaviour, including: The consistent promotion of Art of Protest’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy  which requires all pupils to respect the rights of others; The reinforcement of the clear message that violence has no place at any Art of Protest event or provision of service Taking part in initiatives such as Anti-Bullying Week; Ensuring all members of staff have read and understand the anti-bullying policy and strategy; Working with commissioners to ensure we adhere and promote their anti-bullying and safeguarding policies The celebration of all backgrounds and cultures Encourage pupil cooperation and the development of interpersonal skills using group and pair work; Effective recording systems;Working with effectively commissioners, education settings, police and children’s services as appropriate;All reported or investigated instances of bullying will be investigated by a member of staff and relevant information will be observed or shared with commissionsAgree appropriate support as required with commissioners, so  educational, emotional and social development isn’t negatively influenced by outside factors, e.g. mental health issues; Diversity, difference and respect for others is promoted and celebrated through various sessions.Seating plans will be organised and altered in a way that prevents instances of bullying as agreed with commissions. Signs of bullying Staff will be alert to the following signs that may indicate a pupil is a victim of bullyingUnwillingness to attend school or sessions; Becoming anxious or lacking confidence; Decreased involvement Having torn clothes or damaged possessions; Missing possessions; Missing dinner money; Asking for extra money or stealing; Cuts or bruises; Lack of appetite; Unwillingness to use the internet or mobile devices; Becoming agitated when receiving calls or text messages; Lack of eye contact; Becoming short tempered;  Change in behaviour and attitude Although the signs outlined above may not be due to bullying, they may be due to deeper social, emotional or mental health issues, so are still worth investigating and this will follow Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and Art of Protest staff will alert commissioners as appropriate.How to report bullying. Any member of staff can be approached to report incidents of bullying, and they in turn will report to the commissioner of the provision responsible for the care of the child or young people or Art of Protest Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy. If bullying is suspected or reported, the incident will be dealt with immediately by the member of staff who has been approached, or who suspects/observed the bullying; A clear account of the incident will be recorded in writing either by the victim or the member of staff recording the victim’s verbal statement; The Pastoral Manager or Anti Bullying Coordinator will interview all concerned and will record the incident via the Art of Protest Incident Reporting process and will be shared with the commissioner.In the first instance Art of Protest will work will seek a restorative and educative approach to bullying. It may also be appropriate to employ a range of appropriate consequences used as part of this approach. Typical consequences could include: restrictions on access to activities, and in the event of persistent bullying agreed restricted access to the provision. Where appropriate, Designated Safeguarding LEad or Deputy will notify the police. There will be regular audit and analysis of incident reports and interventions to continually improve practice. 

KEY CONTACTS At Art of Protest we create a culture of safeguarding and one of vigilance and openness. We need to be timely with sharing information and if you have any concerns or require further guidance, please contact: Designated Safeguarding Lead - Gemma Waygood gemma.aopprojects@gmail.com 07719160953Deputy Safeguarding Lead Jeff Clark Creative Director jeff.aopprojects@gmail.com 07969398388