ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person. Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:

Emotional: Being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding possessions, using threatening gestures)Physical: Pushing, hitting, kicking or any use of violence. Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures

Sexual: Unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

Homophobic: Because of or focusing on the issue of sexuality

Religious: Because of or focusing on the issue of faith.

Verbal: Name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours.

Cyber: All areas of internet, such as email and internet chat room misuse, mobile phone threats by text messaging and calls misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera and video facilities

Implementation

Blackpool Community Theatre CIC’s director oversees the implementation and review of the Anti-bullying Policy

Blackpool Community Theatre CIC is used as a forum to discuss the problem of bullying and to agree systems to tackle unacceptable behaviour with young people.

Outcome

The bully (bullies) may be asked to apologise genuinely and other consequences may take place.

In very serious cases, suspension or exclusion could be considered If possible, the participants will be reconciled.

Monitoring and Record Keeping

After the incident(s) have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored in striving to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.

Evaluation

Records of incidents are kept and used to inform future practice

Spot checks and occasional surveys are also used

Evaluation and review will ensure that Blackpool Community Theatre CIC remains responsible to changing needs whilst striving to protect young people from bullying.

What We Intend To Achieve

The vigilance and responsiveness of staff and volunteers to bullying behaviour

Acknowledgement by young people that bullying will be tackled

Raised awareness about bullying and the forms it can take. greater proportion of young people informing an adult if they are being bullied.

The involvement of staff, volunteers, parents and young people in implementing the Anti-bullying Policy.

Blackpool Community Theatre CIC acknowledges that bullying behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

We endeavour to ensure that a secure environment is provided for every young person who wishes to participate in the performing art