Anti-Bullying Policy
Oxford Sports LTC anti-bullying policy sets out how we feel about bullying as a club, what we will do to tackle it and how we will support children and young people who experience or display bullying behaviour.
Bullying
- All forms of bullying will be acted upon
- Everybody in the club has a responsibility to work together to stop bullying
- Bullying can include online as well as offline behaviour and can include:
– Physically pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching etc.
– Name calling, spreading rumours, persistent teasing and humiliation or the continual ignoring of others
– Posting of derogatory or abusive comments, videos or images on social media
– Racial, homophobic, transphobic or sexist comments, taunts or gestures
– Sexual comments, suggestions or behaviour and unwanted physical contact
Oxford Sports LTC will:
- Recognise its duty of care and responsibility to safeguard all players from harm
- Promote and implement this anti-bullying policy in addition to our safeguarding policy and procedures
- Ensure that bullying behaviour is not tolerated or condoned
- Require all members of the club to sign up to this policy
- Take action to investigate and respond to any reports of bullying from children and young people
- Ensure that coaches are given access to information, guidance and training on bullying
Each member, player, parent, coach, volunteer or official will:
- Encourage individuals to speak out about bullying behaviour
- Respect every child’s need for, and right to, a play environment where safety, security, praise, recognition and opportunity for taking responsibility are available
- Respect the feelings and views of others
- Recognise that everyone is important and equal, and that our differences make each of us special and worthy of being valued
- Show appreciation of others by acknowledging individual qualities, contributions and progress
- Ensure safety by having rules and practices carefully explained and displayed for all to see
- Report incidents of bullying behaviour they see – by doing nothing you are condoning the behaviour
Supporting Children
- We will let children know who will listen and support them
- We will create an “open door” ethos where children feel confident to talk to an adult about bullying behaviour or any other issue that affects them
- Potential barriers to talking (including those associated with a child’s disability or impairment) will be acknowledged and addressed at the outset to enable children to speak out
- We will make sure children are aware of helpline numbers
- Anyone who reports an incident of bullying will be listened to carefully and reports will be taken seriously
- Any reported experience of bullying behaviour will be investigated
- Children experiencing bullying behaviour will be supported and helped to uphold their right to play and live in a safe environment
- Those who display bullying behaviour will be supported and encouraged to develop better relationships
- We will make sure that sanctions are proportionate and fair
Support to the Parents / Guardians
- Parents or guardians will be advised on the club bullying policy and practice
- Any experience of bullying behaviour will be discussed with the child’s parents or guardians
- Parents will be consulted on action to be taken (both victim and bully) and we’ll agree on these actions together
- Information and advice on coping with bullying will be made available
- Support will be offered to parents, including information from other agencies or support lines
Useful contacts:
[Oxford Sports Safeguarding Officer / Neil Shirley / 07553 263 095] [NSPCC Helpline / 0808 800 5000]
[Childline / 0800 1111 / www.childline.org.uk] [Anti-Bullying Alliance / www.antibullyingalliance.org]
Policy Updated: October 2020
Next Update: October 2022