Agenda item

15.10

In response to a motion from Council about reviewing the prevalence of prejudice-related bullying in schools and online, the Committee will receive a short report outlining policy and guidance on cyber bullying and how the Council is working to tackle this issue.

The Committee is invited to identify areas of focus for a more detailed discussion on this topic at a future scrutiny meeting, including scrutiny of how this issue is being overseen by the Children’s Trust and Corporate Parenting Panel.

In response to a motion from Council requesting that the Committee review the prevalence of prejudice-related bullying in schools and online, the Committee had before them report which outlined the current local evidence and action being taken to prevent and reduce bullying in Oxfordshire, including information about the local authority’s legal obligations and how current work to address bullying met the local vision and priorities for Children’s Services.

The report also included a brief overview of work being carried out as part of the current Anti-Bullying Strategy and the work to address both online and prejudice-related bullying and the specific focus on work to mitigate the impact on vulnerable groups.

The Committee was invited to identify areas of focus for a more detailed discussion on this topic at a future scrutiny meeting, including scrutiny of how this issue was being overseen by the Children’s Trust and Corporate Parenting Panel.  Accordingly, Ms Jo Brown, Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator had been invited to attend the meeting for an initial discussion on this topic.

Ms Brown in introducing the report, explained that Oxfordshire’s Anti-Bullying Strategy had a detailed action plan which was refreshed annually at the start of each school year. There was a wealth of both national and local evidence that indicated a link between bullying and not feeling “safe to learn” in school. There was also clear evidence of a link between bullying and reduced school attendance and attainment and evidence that bullying could impact on mental health and well-being.

Oxfordshire had a free online bullying survey that schools could access all year round. Schools who participated were provided with a unique link in order that they could identify and address issues locally. Last year 6,457 children (from 9 secondary and 15 primary schools) took part. Participating schools had used results to develop effective Anti-Bullying practice and thus create greater safety for students.  Results were then analysed centrally in depth to inform the Anti-Bullying strategy action plan and ensure that it was evidence-based.

Results from last year’s survey showed that, in line with national trends and previous local results, those young people who were “different” from the majority in terms of experience of a long-term illness or disability, race, religion, or sexuality were likely to experience increased frequency of bullying and “feeling unsafe”. Of this group, secondary age young people who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) appeared to be very vulnerable with 10% never feeling safe in the classroom (compared to 1% of those identifying as heterosexual). Those results had been consistent over several years and, whilst showing some improvement, action to address prejudice-related bullying had remained a high-priority within the strategy. Work of the Anti-Bullying strategy therefore supported the local vision for Children’s Services to ensure the children within Oxfordshire are healthy, safe, supported and successful. It also contributed to the current Children’s Services obsessions specifically increasing school attendance – leading to improved attainment.

During discussion the following points were raised:

The Chairman queried whether there was a protocol that all schools had signed up to.  Ms Brown explained that the role of the council was to promote and recommend that all schools follow the current government guidance on preventing and tackling bullying, but that the Council’s role was in an advisory capacity and that there was no requirement for schools to follow it.  The Council did provide the on-line bullying survey, training and resources.

Members queried how many schools had responded to the Online survey.  Mrs Brown confirmed that 25 primaries had completed the survey and fewer secondary.

This was currently in the national spotlight, need to be aware of any up and coming legislative changes.

Mrs Thomson queried whether this could be included/highlighted in the governor’s report – there was a need to give governors levers to work on.

Members of the Committee suggested that although there was no requirement by schools to follow a protocol, a ready-made solution could be offered to all schools to sign up to.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health & Education who was in attendance for this item indicated that she thought this was an excellent idea and agreed to work with officers to develop a code of practice.

Following discussion, the Committee AGREED to request that a code of practice and protocol for all schools to voluntary sign-up be developed and brought back to the Committee and that officers seek a view from Children’s Trust and CPP on what they’re doing.