Guidance published to improve anti-bullying policies

New guidance to support schools and organisations working with children and young people to develop comprehensive anti-bullying policies and improve behaviour and relationships has been published by the Scottish government.

The guidance, entitled ‘Respect for all’, includes updates for staff on how to deal with specific incidents of bullying, including online bullying. 

It sets out that online bullying should be seen as related to where the bullying occurs, rather than as a different behaviour type – and that online bullying must be responded to with the same level of seriousness as any other form of bullying. 

It also highlights the responsibility of schools and organisations to support the wellbeing of children and young people, even when there is not a responsibility to investigate the incident itself.

The definition of bullying has also been strengthened following feedback from children and young people, parents and practitioners. This has a renewed focus on the emotional, social and physical impacts caused by bullying, recognising that not all bullying is an intentional act and that it does not need to be repeated for it to have an impact.

Education secretary, Jenny Gilruth, said: "Bullying of any kind is never acceptable and can have a lasting impact on a child or young person's life. It is vital that incidents of bullying, both online and offline, are addressed promptly and robustly. 

“The Scottish government has worked with schools, organisations and local authorities to introduce a range of measures over the last year to improve behaviour and relationships in schools.

"I am pleased to build on this work with the launch of Respect for All, which focuses on prevention, response and inclusivity. It reflects the pressures facing young people, including the increase in social media use, and we expect all stakeholders in Scotland delivering services for children and young people to develop and implement an anti-bullying policy in line with the new guidance.”