Anti-Bullying Week: best practice for recording allegations

How accurate record keeping for bullying can help tackle the issue

Anti-Bullying Week is an annual campaign which aims to raise awareness of bullying of children and young people and to highlight ways of preventing and responding to it. This year, it takes place from 14-18 November, and it is an opportune time for schools to talk to pupils about the themes of the event.

It is vitally important that education settings keep accurate records around bullying allegations and incidents. While some education settings may be reluctant to record all allegations of bullying, for fear the volume of complaints may reflect badly, we recommend that schools do exactly this, for the following reasons:

It provides a good overview of the nature of bullying

We recommend that settings record all incidents of bullying against protected characteristics. By recording in specific categories, such as race, faith/belief, gender, sexual orientation etc, it provides more accurate and in-depth data. Often, we find that gender and sexual orientation are recorded together, but this then does not afford the opportunity to record the specific nature of the behaviour, e.g. misogyny. 

Assess pupils’ understanding of bullying

If all allegations are recorded, once investigated they can be categorised as substantiated or unsubstantiated. If you are recording a high number of unsubstantiated allegations, there may an issue around what pupils and families understand about what is meant by bullying. This can highlight a need to reinforce key messages through the curriculum and through communications with parents.

Accurate data allows you to plan more effectively

Once you have accurate data in place you can then use this to carefully plan any whole school, or cohort, interventions as well as addressing individual needs. 

Bullying allegations may increase during Anti-Bullying Week

If you do participate in Anti-Bullying Week (and it is a good thing if you do), just bear in mind that reported incidents are likely to increase in the short term. This is due to increased awareness and should be viewed as an opportunity to adjust your anti-bullying programmes and evidence the impact of your work in this area.

Need help managing behaviour or wish to assess your practices?

We have worked with settings throughout England to develop, manage, and improve behaviour processes. Do you require support with yours? Contact us for a no obligation discussion of your requirements.