THE F-LIST FOR MUSIC CIC SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Appendix 1 Anti-Bullying

1 INTRODUCTION

The F-List for Music recognises that we have a duty of care and responsibility to safeguard all participants from harm and this Anti-Bullying Policy is to be used in conjunction with the safeguarding policy. 

2 PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to prevent bullying from happening in our organisation as much as possible. When bullying does happen to make sure it is stopped as soon as possible and that those involved receive the support they need.  To provide information to all contractors and volunteers, and young people and their families about what The F-List for Music is doing to prevent and deal with bullying.  This policy covers:

  • Young people bullying other young people.
  • Adults bullying young people.
  • Young people bullying adults.

All young people and adults who participate in activities run by The F-List have a responsibility to treat other young people and adults with dignity and respect and refrain from bullying behaviour.

There will be adequate supervision at all activities or events to help prevent bullying. 

If a contractor or volunteer witnesses bullying or suspects that bullying is taking place, they should inform the DSL immediately.

If a young person has been bullied, witnessed a bullying incident, or is concerned about anyone they should report their concern to the DSL. 

3 BULLYING

Bullying is an abusive behaviour which intentionally hurts another individual or group and can be emotional, physical, sexual, or racist.  Bullying can take many forms but usually includes the following:

  • Physical or sexual assault – hitting, kicking, pinching, punching, scratching, spitting or any other form of physical attack. All sexual incidents and all but very minor physical incidents constitute abuse and will be dealt with in accordance with the Safeguarding policy.  Damage to or taking someone else’s belongings may also constitute physical bullying.
  • Verbal – offensive name calling, insults, racist remarks, sexist or homophobic jokes, teasing, threats, using sexually suggestive or abusive language.
  • Non-verbal – includes ignoring someone or leaving them out and making offensive gestures or facial expressions.
  • Indirect – spreading nasty stories or rumours about someone, intimidation, exclusion from social groups.

4 CYBERBULLYING

This is a form of bullying which uses technology to deliberately harm or upset others.  It can happen in many ways using mobile phones or the internet and could include sending hurtful messages or images, leaving malicious voicemails, silent calls, creating a website about someone to humiliate them, excluding them from chat/messaging/rooms/areas and sending videos/images of people being bullied so others can see. 

5 WHAT TO DO WHEN A YOUNG PERSON TELLS YOU ABOUT A BULLYING INCIDENT

  • Reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you.
  • Explain that the bets chance of ending bullying is by telling someone as people that bully reply on their behaviour remaining a secret.
  • Tell them that you cannot promise complete confidentiality and that you will only share the information with those that need to know.
  • Explain to them what will happen next.
  • Make a record about what has been said and contact the DSL immediately.

Where the bullying is so serious that it could be criminal offence you should report it to the police, or as a possible child protection case, to children’s social services. 

6 PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING A BULLYING COMPLAINT

  • All reports of bullying will be recorded, investigated, and reported to the DSL.
  • All directors, contractors and volunteers that deal with a complaint need to make a record of the incident and contact the DSL immediately.
  • The DSL will discuss the complaint in a meeting with the person who initially dealt with it. The DSL will speak to all involved in order to understand the full picture and any other witnesses. 
  • If the victim of the alleged bullying is a young person their parent/guardian will be informed of the complaint and the outcome of the investigation.

7 IF IT IS FOUND THAT BULLYING HAS NOT OCCURRED

  • The complainant, alleged victim and alleged perpetrator/s will be informed of the outcome and the reasons why it was concluded that bullying did not take place.
  • Support will be offered to all involved if necessary.
  • A meeting will be arranged between the alleged victim and perpetrator to discuss the issues involved if both are agreeable and it is deemed appropriate.

8 IF IT IS CONCLUDED THAT BULLYING HAS TAKEN PLACE

  • The complainant, alleged victim and alleged perpetrator/s will be informed of the outcome and the reasons why it was concluded that bullying did take place. Support will be offered to the victim.
  • A meeting will be arranged between the alleged victim and perpetrator to discuss the issues involved if both are agreeable and it is deemed appropriate.
  • The parent/guardian of both parties will be informed of the action taken.

9 DISPLINARY ACTION

A serious incident can result in a participant being dismissed from the project and future The F-List for Music events.

For incidents that are considered less serious the perpetrator will need to apologise to the victim, agree not to engage in further bullying behaviour and be closely monitored.

For incidents involved a member of staff the Safeguarding policy procedures will be implemented.

USEFUL HELPLINES

Child Line 0800 1111 and Kidscape Helpline 08451 205 204 and NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000