1

County strategies to support pupil engagement in anti bullying:

HABIHertfordshire Anti-Bullying Initiative

Karin Hutchinson

Anti-bullying Adviser

01438 844044

2

HABI is about…

…the active engagement of young people in the prevention and resolution of bullying in schools across Hertfordshire

3

The HABI Project threads:• Peer support - Training and resources to assist

schools in establishing age appropriate programmes

• A Peer Supporters’ website – in development • HABI Your Say – a consultation process with

young people in participating schools• Cybermentors Programme• Anti-bullying Accreditation programme requiring

peer support initiatives

4

Peer support training

• HABI lead staff planning meeting and provision of comprehensive support materials

• HABI 1.5 hour briefing session for all staff

• HABI 3 hour training session for Primary pupils

5

Befriending/Buddying (particularly ideal for younger pupils)

An opportunity for pupils to use their friendship skills to help those who are in

need of support

6

Befriending- skills building• effective communication• empathising• co-operating and sharing• understanding dilemmas and difficulties• resolving conflicts• making appropriate responses• managing relationships including themselves• being responsible and showing initiative

7

Mediation for KS2 and above A structured process in which a third party

assists voluntary participants in resolving

their dispute. It is giving peace a chance -

It’s not:• about deciding who is right and wrong• apportioning blame• about offering advice• about focusing on the past

8

The mediation processAllows disputants:• To define the problem from their point of view• To identify and express their feelings• To hear the feelings and needs of the other

person• To acknowledge each other’s point of view• To create their own solutions to the problem• To agree a course of action

Source: Let’s mediate, Stacey and Robinson,2002

9

Basic mediation skills• Speaking and listening• Affirming• Co-operating• Being patient• Empathising• Developing emotional intelligence• Facilitating others to solve their own problems

and find their own solutions

10

Mentoring for KS3 & 4• Older pupils are trained to support

younger ones

• Particularly helpful to aid transition and ensure additional support for vulnerable pupils

• Mentors provide information and assist mentees to build life skills in ways that are familiar and acceptable

11

Developing your Peer support programme

DVD material • to prompt further

thought and development

• to use extracts with young people

12

Peer Support Website

• www.habi.org.uk is to be discontinued

• Channel Mogo will shortly have resources to support – peer mediators – peer mentors

in developing their skills

• Notification through the heads bulletin and through accreditation network

13

HABI Your Say• Survey sent to school at the beginning of term• Staff share the survey with pupils• Pupils collect data (processes vary)• Collated school data is sent back by Tuesday of

half term holiday• Report returned to school reflecting the feedback

from all schools

14

HABI Your Say

• 1st report: Transition• 2nd report: Appearance focused bullying• Your Say pupil conference June 29th 2010• Autumn 2010: Cyberbullying• Spring 2011: Homophobia

15

Cybermentorswww.cybermentors.org.uk

• 1st tranche of year 7 & 8 cybermentors trained

• Available to give presentations in local schools

• Further funding will be sought

16

Forthcoming CPD Conferences

“Bullying - the vulnerability of sexuality and identity” • The percentage of sexualised bullying cases recorded by Hertfordshire

schools doubled in 2008-09. • Focuses on the developing vulnerability of young people 9-18, related to

shifts in their sexual identity through adolescence and explores the role of the school in safeguarding.

• The course will address: sextings and internet identities, emotional health and self image, sexualised bullying, homophobia, youth culture and sexuality, and the impact of drugs and alcohol.

“Primary Anti-homophobic Bullying Course”• Addressing the equalities duties related to sexuality and the need to

safeguard all pupils in their developing identities• To be scheduled