Anti-Bullying Policy

Policy Statement
Yapham Cricket Club is committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all children and young people, so they can participate in activities in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in our Club. If bullying does occur, all children and young people should be able to tell someone and know that incidents will be deal with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING organisation, this means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell one of the coaches or volunteers.

The Club has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying, in order to carry out its duty of care to safeguard all children involved in Yapham Cricket Club from harm. All children have a right to protection, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account

The aim of the Club’s Anti-bullying Policy is to promote good practice and that:
 All coaches and volunteers, as well as children and young people should have an understanding of what bullying is
 All coaches and volunteers, as well as children and young people should know what the Club policy is on bullying and what they should do if bullying arises
 As a Club we take bullying seriously. Children and young people and their parents/carers should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported
 Bullying will not be tolerated

Definition: What is 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 personal belongings, threatening gestures)
Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching 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 issues of sexuality
Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing
Cyber all areas of internet, such as email & internet chat room misuse, mobile threats by text messaging and calls, misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera and video facilities

Some of the Signs and Symptoms of Being Bullied
A child may indicate by signs or behavior that he or she is being bullied. Coaches, volunteers and parents / carers should be aware of these possible signs and that they should investigate if a child:

• Is frightened of coming to the Club or participating in certain activities
• Doesn’t want to go to the Club on their own
• Changes their usual routine
• Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
• Starts stammering
• Attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
• Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
• Feels ill before coming to the Club
• Begins to behave negatively within the Club
• Comes home with clothes torn or personal possessions damaged or missing
• Asks for money or starts stealing money to pay bully
• Has money that is continually ‘lost’
• Has unexplained cuts or bruises
• Comes home hungry or thirsty (money or snack/drink has been stolen)
• Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
• Is bullying other children or siblings
• Stops eating
• Is frightened to say what’s wrong
• Gives improbable excuses for any of the above
• Is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone
• Is nervous & jumpy when a cyber message is received
These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

Why is it important to respond to bullying?
Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Children and young people who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving and may well have serious issues themselves, which affect their behaviour.

Procedures if bullying is suspected
If bullying is suspected, the following procedures should be followed:
• Report bullying incidents to coaches or other volunteers
• In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be recorded by the Child Welfare Officer
• In serious cases parents should be informed and will be asked to come to a meeting to discuss the problem
• If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted
• The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly
• Reassure the victim that you can be trusted and will help them, although you cannot promise to tell no-one else.
• Keep records of what is said (what happened, by whom, when).
• Report any concerns to the Club Child Welfare Officer

An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour by:
 Talk with the bully(ies), explain the situation, and try to get the bully(ies) to understand the consequences of their behaviour. Seek an apology to the victim(s).
 Inform the bully(ies)’s parents.
 Insist on the return of ‘borrowed’ items and that the bully(ies) compensate the victim.
 Impose sanctions as necessary.
 Encourage and support the bully(ies) to change behaviour.
 Hold meetings with the families to report on progress.
 Inform all coaches and volunteers of action taken.
 Keep a written record of action taken.
 Look at supporting the bully(ies) with any issues they may have, including linking in with support services in the area if appropriate.

Outcomes
• The bully (bullies) may be asked to genuinely apologise and sometimes other consequences may take place
• In serious cases, exclusion from the Club may be considered
• If possible, the children and young people will be reconciled
• After the incident/incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place

Support to deal with the aftermath of bullying
 Consideration should be given to the kind of support that children, parents and members of staff or volunteers may need.
 Consideration should also be given to what kind of support may be appropriate for the alleged bully (ies)

The Yapham Cricket Club Child Welfare Officer is responsible for developing, communicating, implementing and reviewing this policy on behalf of the Club General Committee.