Bullying

At Howestead Lodge we aim to create a safe and happy environment, where bullying is considered to be totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.  We define bullying as the behaviour of a more powerful individual or group of individuals, which causes hurt, humiliation, degradation, distress, pain or suffering to another individual or group of individuals, as a result of verbal threats, verbal abuse, physical threats or physical abuse / assault.

Bullying might include the following behaviours: name calling, teasing, taunting, horseplay, humiliation, blackmail, extortion, damage to or the theft of personal possessions, the terrorising of others through the sending of abusive text or e-mail messages, unwanted sexual interest or contact or being attacked due to a person’s religion, gender, sexuality, disability, appearance, ethnic origin or racial origin.

We will counter all incidents of bullying, including those that occur within Howestead Lodge, both by staff and young people, and those that occur outside of Howestead Lodge, such as at school or within the community.

We endeavour to create a culture within which staff members are aware of the signs and symptoms of bullying and are vigilant in their daily interactions with the children and young people. We also attempt to maintain an open communication and support network within which the children and young people feel easily able to confide in one another and / or a member of staff if they are being bullied.

Staff training sessions regularly address issues relating to bullying and the staff team at Howestead Lodge work closely with parents, teachers and other involved professionals to stamp out bullying. 

We encourage the children and young people to talk to someone they can trust (i.e. their link worker or another member of staff) if they are being bullied.

The perpetrators of bullying will be confronted by staff. These people will be offered the appropriate help and guidance to prevent them continuing to bully others.  They will also be closely monitored and follow up checks will be made to ensure that the behaviour has ceased.