ST MARY’S HADDINGTON ROAD
Anti-bullying Policy
St Mary’s Haddington Road has adopted the following anti-bullying policy in conjunction with the parish’s overall Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers
Here at St. Mary’s we believe that all of our volunteers have the right to a supportive, caring and safe environment. This is especially true of all children/young people and vulnerable adults who are involved with the parish.
We seek to minimise the occurrences of and potential for bullying. In St Mary’s, bullying is seen as a form of anti-social behaviour. It is always wrong and will not be tolerated.
The Pastoral Council recognises the very serious nature of bullying and the negative impact that it can have on the lives of pupils and is therefore fully committed to certain key principles of best practice in preventing and tackling bullying behaviour:
(a) A positive parish culture and climate that is welcoming of difference and diversity and is based on inclusivity, encourages volunteers to disclose and discuss incidents of bullying behaviour in a non-threatening environment and promotes respectful relationships within the parish.
(b) Effective leadership
(c) A shared understanding of what bullying is and its impact
(d) Implementation of education strategies (including awareness raising measures) among volunteers through information sessions and the circulation of the parish Code of Conduct.
(e) Effective supervision and monitoring of children/young people and vulnerable adults
(f) Supports for volunteers and staff
(g) Ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of the anti-bullying policy.
Key elements of a positive parish culture · The parish acknowledges the right of each member of the community to enjoy activities in a secure environment. · The parish acknowledges the uniqueness of each individual and his/her worth as a human being. · The parish promotes positive habits of self-respect, self-discipline and responsibility among all its members. · The parish identifies the liturgy as a means through which positive and lasting influences can be exerted towards forming volunteers’ attitudes and values. · The parish believes in early intervention where necessary and it responds to the needs, fears or anxieties of individual children/young people and vulnerable adults in a sensitive manner. · The parish recognises the need to work in partnership with and keep parents/guardians informed on procedures to improve relationships. · The parish recognises the role of parents/guardians in equipping the pupil with a range of life-skills. · The parish recognises the role of other community agencies in preventing and dealing with bullying. · The parish promotes habits of mutual respect, courtesy and an awareness of the interdependence of people in groups and communities. · The parish promotes qualities of responsibility, tolerance and understanding among all its members. · Staff members and volunteers share a responsibility to act in preventing bullying/aggressive behaviour by any member of the parish community.
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What is bullying?
Bullying is unwanted negative behaviour – verbal, psychological or physical – conducted by an individual or group against another person (or persons) and which is repeated over time. Bullying behaviour is intentional and deliberate.
The following types of bullying behaviour are included in the definition of bullying:
Isolated or once-off incidents of intentional negative behaviour, does not fall within the definition of bullying.
Rights and Responsibilities
The fostering of good quality interpersonal relationships among clergy, parish staff, volunteers and parishioners generally a responsibility shared by everyone. All members of the parish community have a role to play in the prevention of bullying.
Responsibilities of the Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council seeks to ensure that all volunteers and parishioners, especially children/young people and vulnerable adults, are enabled to deal effectively with bullying. The Council arranges information sessions to educate volunteers on issues surrounding bullying. The Council will ensure that proper measures are in place to deal with any incidents appropriately as they arise.
Responsibilities of Parish Staff
Responsibilities of parishioners, including children/young people and vulnerable adults
Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians
Strategies
The strategies that are used by our parish include:
Parish-wide approach
Procedures for Investigating and Dealing with Bullying
The parish’s procedures for investigation, follow-up and recording of bullying behaviour and the established intervention strategies used by the parish for dealing with cases of bullying behaviour are as detailed below. The primary aim in investigating and dealing with bullying is to resolve any issues and to restore, as far as is practicable, the relationships of the parties involved (rather than to apportion blame). Every effort will be made to ensure that all involved understand this approach from the outset.
Reporting bullying behaviour
Investigating and dealing with incidents
The following steps are taken in dealing with bullying behaviour:
Recording of bullying behaviour
It is important that all recording of bullying incidents is done in an objective and factual manner. This parish’s procedure for noting and reporting alleged bullying behaviour is to keep a written record of any complaints once received.
June 22nd, 2020