New guidance to support schools and organisations working with
children and young people to develop comprehensive anti-bullying
policies and improve behaviour and relationships has been
published.
‘Respect for all' includes updates for staff on how to
deal with specific incidents of bullying, including online
bullying. The guidance sets out that online bullying should be
seen as related to where the bullying occurs, rather than as a
different behaviour type – and that online bullying must be
responded to with the same level of seriousness as any other form
of bullying. It also highlights the responsibility of schools and
organisations to support the wellbeing of children and young
people, even when there is not a responsibility to investigate
the incident itself.
The definition of bullying on which the guidance is focused has
also been strengthened following feedback from children and young
people, parents and practitioners. This has a renewed focus on
the emotional, social and physical impacts caused by bullying,
recognising that not all bullying is an intentional act and that
it does not need to be repeated for it to have an impact.
The guidance has been published as Education Secretary visited Primary School, in Stirling, to
learn more about its inclusive approach to tackling bullying
during Anti-Bullying Week 2024. All local authorities,
schools and organisations that work with children and young
people will now be tasked with developing and implementing
anti-bullying policies in line with Respect for All.
Education Secretary said:
"Bullying of any kind is never acceptable and can have a lasting
impact on a child or young person's life. It is vital that
incidents of bullying, both online and offline, are addressed
promptly and robustly.
“The Scottish Government has worked with schools, organisations
and local authorities to introduce a range of measures over the
last year to improve behaviour and relationships in schools. I am
pleased to build on this work with the launch of Respect for
All, which focuses on prevention, response and inclusivity.
It reflects the pressures facing young people, including the
increase in social media use, and we expect all
stakeholders in Scotland delivering services for children and
young people to develop and implement an anti-bullying policy in
line with the new guidance.”
Lorraine Glass, Director of respectme, said:
"respectme welcomes the publication of this vital
guidance, perfectly timed to coincide with Anti-Bullying Week
2024. We look forward to working with colleagues across
Scotland to further embed the policy and practice necessary for
the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.
“This week, over 700 schools from every Scottish local authority
area have engaged with our annual campaign on what ‘respect'
means to them. It's been a phenomenal response and a
testament to the commitment and energy of teachers, parents and
youth workers to bring safety and happiness to young lives."
Background
Respect for All has
been developed in conjunction with Scotland's national
anti-bullying service, respectme,
local authorities, teaching unions, children's organisations and
a parents' representative.
In 2024-25, the Scottish Government has provided £298,480 to
respectme, to provide advice and resources to schools,
parents and carers to support and educate young people on the
impact of bullying.
