Anti-Bullying Policy

What is Bullying?

Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face-to-face or through cyberspace and comes in many different forms:

Examples of cyberbullying include abusive comments or threats made online, sharing images or personal information without consent, hacking into accounts, creating harmful websites, and pressurising someone into sharing explicit content.

Forms of Discriminatory Bullying

People can be targeted for any reason. Common forms of discriminatory bullying include:

• Racist bullying — targeted at ethnicity, skin colour, language, or cultural and religious practices.
• Homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying — targeted at actual or perceived sexuality and/or gender.
• Sexual or sexist bullying — behaviour intended to cause offence, humiliation or intimidation.
• Disability bullying — targeted at an impairment or special educational need.
• Targeting any difference — including looks, weight, height, hair colour, wearing glasses or braces, skin conditions, scars, body odour, poverty, talents or family situation.

Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. The club recognises its responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to all bullying issues.

Reporting Procedures

1. Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer or a club committee member.
2. In cases of severe bullying, incidents will be referred to the County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer and possibly The FA Case Management Team.
3. Parents/carers will be informed and asked to attend a meeting to discuss the problem.
4. If necessary and appropriate, the police will be consulted.
5. The bullying behaviour or threats will be investigated and stopped quickly.
6. An attempt will be made to help the person responsible change their behaviour.
7. If mediation fails and bullying continues, the club will initiate disciplinary action under the club constitution.

Recommended Club Action

1. Reconciliation by bringing the parties together. A genuine apology may resolve the situation.
2. If this fails, a small panel (Chairperson, Club Welfare Officer, Secretary and committee members) will meet with the parent/carer and child alleging bullying to record the details. Minutes will be agreed upon by all parties.
3. The same panel will meet with the alleged bully and their parent/carer to hear their account. Minutes will again be taken and agreed upon.
4. If bullying is found to have occurred, the individual will be formally warned and put on notice that further action — including temporary or permanent suspension — will follow if bullying continues.
5. In some cases, the parent or carer of either player may be asked to attend training sessions if appropriate. The club committee will monitor the situation to prevent recurrence.
6. All coaches involved with both individuals will be made aware of the concern and outcome of the process.

In the case of an adult reported to be bullying anyone under 18:

1. The County Designated Safeguarding Officer must be informed and will advise on appropriate action, which may include action by The FA Safeguarding Team.
2. The FA's Safeguarding Children Education Programme may be recommended where the allegation concerns a team manager, official, or coach.
3. More severe cases may be referred to the Police and/or Children's Social Care.