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Bullying Prevention and Response

Policy

This policy supports schools to prevent and respond to all forms of bullying between students, including online.

Summary

  • Schools have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of bullying between students.
  • Schools must initiate a response to bullying within 2 school days of becoming aware of it. Further time may be needed to take the appropriate steps to fully understand and address the issue.
  • Schools must develop a local bullying policy with input from the school community. They must communicate the policy and review it every 2 years.
  • The local bullying policy can be included in a school’s Student wellbeing and engagement policy or be a standalone Bullying prevention and response policy.
  • Go to the Resources tab for resources to help schools:
    • record bullying behaviour and responses
    • identify issues in the school community
    • keep clear and accurate records
    • provide the support students need.

Details

All staff working with students have a duty of care. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm. For example, staff must take reasonable steps to prevent student physical or mental harm from bullying. Go to the department's Duty of Care policy for more information.

Other requirements

Principals must address bullying prevention and response through either:

When developing the bullying policy, principals must:

  • get input from the school community
  • consider the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, carers and staff.

Local bullying policy

Schools must have a bullying prevention and response policy that includes:

  • the nationally agreed definition of bullying (go to definitions section)
  • information about how the school builds a positive school culture
  • how the school takes steps to actively prevent bullying behaviours
  • that schools must initiate a response to bullying between students within 2 school days. Further time may be required to fully understand and address the issue
  • information about supports for students engaging in or affected by bullying behaviour. This may include mediation, counselling and peer support
  • clear, staged processes for responding to the bullying behaviour
  • guidance for staff on keeping clear and accurate records
  • guidance on how to report bullying incidents through eduSafe Plus or by calling the Incident Support and Operations Centre (ISOC), including a link to the Managing and Reporting School Incidents (Including Emergencies) policy.

A Bullying prevention and response policy template (staff login required)(opens in a new window) for Victorian government schools is available on the School Policy Templates Portal. Schools can modify the template to suit their needs.

Additional resources are available on the Resources tab to help schools:

  • develop and implement their local policy
  • track bullying behaviour and responses
  • identify issues in the school community.

Communication of policy

Schools must make sure staff, students, parents and carers know about the policy and must publish it on the school website. Schools are also strongly encouraged to include it in:

  • enrolment packs
  • the school newsletter
  • staff induction and staff handbooks.

Policy review

Schools must review their bullying policy every 2 years or earlier as required following an incident.

Collecting data about bullying incidents involving students helps schools understand the types of bullying behaviour that are happening. It also helps schools review and update their policy so it stays relevant and effective.

A survey tool is available on the Resources tab.

Schools can also collect information by:

  • using data about student experiences of bullying from Attitudes to School Survey
  • reviewing reported bullying incidents and the school’s response
  • running student focus groups
  • conducting regular staff surveys.

Definitions

Nationally agreed definition of bullying
Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

Online harm
This involves using technology to harm, including creating or sharing harmful information.

Physical bullying
Physical bullying includes face-to-face interactions that may involve physical harm or damaging or stealing belongings.

Social bullying
Social bullying includes exclusion, spreading rumours and sharing of information that could cause harm.

Verbal and written bullying
Verbal and written bullying includes threats or name-calling or insulting someone.

Relevant legislation

Department policy supporting schools to prevent and respond to all forms of bullying between students, including online.

Updated

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