Anti-Bullying Policy

Academy Juniors FC are committed to providing a warm, caring and safe environment for all our young people. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at our club. We take all incidents of bullying seriously, as everybody has the right to be treated with respect.

At AJ’s, we acknowledge that bullying does happen from time to time – indeed, it would be unrealistic to claim that it does not. When bullying does occur, concerns will be dealt with promptly and effectively in accordance with our anti-bullying policy.

Aims and Objectives of this Policy

The aim of this policy is to provide preventative measures and manage any concerns if any behaviour deemed as bullying does occur.

The implementation of this policy will create an ethos where bullying is regarded as unacceptable, so that a safe and secure environment is created for everyone. All members of staff at the club have a responsibility to recognise bullying when it occurs and take appropriate action in accordance with the club policy. This will happen in the following ways:

All volunteers, young people and parents/guardians will have an understanding of what bullying is.
All young people and parents/guardians will know what the club policy is on bullying and how to report any concerns.
All volunteers will know what the club policy is on bullying and will promptly follow up any concerns regarding bullying.
Young people and parents/guardians will be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
Volunteer training, club workshops and a proactive approach will be used throughout the club to reduce the opportunities for bullying to occur.
A positive, caring ethos will be created within the club environment where everyone can work, play and express themselves, free from the fear of being bullied.
The club will meet the legal requirement for all schools to have an anti-bullying policy in place.
The club will work closely with other professional agencies to ensure that children stay safe as stated in The Children Act 1989, The SEN and Disability Act 2001, The Government Green Paper ‘Every Child Matters’ 2003 (outcome 2) and The Children Act 2004.

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.

It can be deliberate, hurtful, upsetting, frightening or threatening behaviour by an individual or a group towards other people. It is repeated over a period of time and it is very difficult for the victims to defend themselves. Bullying results in worry, fear, pain and distress to the victim(s).

REMEMBER: STOP - it happens Several Times on Purpose.

Bullying can be:

Emotional – being unfriendly, excluding (emotionally and physically) sending hurtful text messages, tormenting, (e.g. hiding football boots/shin guards, threatening gestures)
Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence • Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
Discrimination – comments, jokes about disabled people, sexist comments
Verbal – name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, teasing

Cyberbullying:

This is when a person uses technology i.e. mobile phones or the internet (social networking sites, chat rooms, instant messenger, tweets), to deliberately upset someone. Bullies often feel anonymous and ‘distanced’ from the incident when it takes place online and ‘bystanders’ can easily become bullies themselves by forwarding the information on. There is a growing trend for bullying to occur online or via texts – bullies no longer rely on being physically near to the young person.

Trolling:

This is the name given to posting deliberately offensive comments on people's social media pages aimed at causing upset and distress. This type of behaviour could result in legal action.

Bullying is not:

It is important to understand that bullying is not the odd occasion of falling out with friends, name calling, arguments or when the occasional trick or joke is played on someone. It is bullying if it is done several times on purpose (STOP). Children sometimes fall out or say things because they are upset. When occasional problems of this kind arise it is not classed as bullying. It is an important part of children’s development to learn how to deal with friendship breakdowns, the odd name calling or childish prank. We all have to learn how to deal with these situations and develop social skills to repair relationships.

Signs and Symptoms

A child may indicate, by different signs or behaviour, that he or she is being bullied.

Adults should be aware of these possible signs and investigate further if a child:

He or she is being bullied
Is unwilling to go to club sessions
Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
Feels ill before training sessions
Comes home with clothes torn or training equipment damaged
Has possessions go “missing”
Asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay the bully)
Has unexplained cuts or bruises
Is frightened to say what’s wrong
Gives improbable excuses for any of the above.

In more extreme cases:

Starts stammering
Cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
Becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
Is bullying other children or siblings
Stops eating
Attempts or threatens suicide or runs away.

These signs and behaviours may indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

Bullying as a result of any form of discrimination

Bullying because of discrimination occurs when bullying is motivated by a prejudice against certain people or groups of people. This may be because of their gender, age, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability or ability. Generally, these forms of bullying look like other sorts of bullying, but in particular it can include:

Verbal abuse:

Derogatory remarks about girls or women, suggesting girls and women are inferior to boys and men, or that black, Asian and ethnic minority people are not as capable as white people
Spreading rumours that someone is gay, suggesting that something or someone is inferior and so they are “gay” .For example, “you’re such a gay boy!” or “those trainers are so gay!”
Ridiculing someone because of a disability or mental health related issue, or because they have a physical, mental or emotional developmental delay.
Referring to someone by the colour of their skin, rather than their name; using nicknames that have racial connotations; isolating someone because they come from another country or social background etc.

Physical abuse:

Including hitting, punching, kicking, sexual assault, and threatening behaviour.

Cyberbullying:

Using online spaces to spread rumours about someone or exclude them.
It can also include text messaging, including video and picture messaging.

Discrimination:

Often driven by a lack of understanding which only serves to strengthen stereotypes and can potentially lead to actions that may cause women, ethnic minorities, disabled people, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people, or people who follow specific religions or beliefs, to feel excluded, isolated or undervalued.
Ensure that club members know that discriminatory language and behaviour will not be tolerated in this club.
If an incident occurs, members should be informed that tolerated. If a member continues to make discriminatory and bullying has on people. If it is a young person making the remarks their parents should be informed just as in any breach of the clubs Code of Conduct and this Anti-Bullying policy.
If a member makes persistent remarks, they should be removed from the training setting in line with managing comments are unacceptable.
If the problem persists, the member should be made to understand the sanctions that will apply if they continue to use discriminatory language or behaviour.
Consider inviting the parents/carers to the club to discuss the attitudes of the youth member in line with the procedures detailed in this policy.

Procedures

Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare Officer or a member of the clubs committee
In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be referred The FA Case Management Team.
Parents should be informed and will be asked to come in to a meeting to discuss the problem.
If necessary and appropriate, the police will be consulted.
The bullying behaviour or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly.
An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behaviour.
If mediation fails and the bullying is seen to continue the club will initiate disciplinary action under the club constitution.

Recommended club action

If the club decides it is appropriate for them to deal with the situation they should follow the procedure outlined below:

Reconciliation by getting the parties together. It may be that a genuine apology solves the problem.
If this fails/not appropriate a small panel (made up from members) should meet with the parent and child alleging bullying to get details of the allegation. Minutes should be taken for clarity, which should be agreed by all as a true account.
The same 3 persons should meet with the alleged bully and parent/s and put the incident raised to them to answer and give their view of the allegation. Minutes should again be taken and agreed.
If bullying has in their view taken place the individual should be warned and put on notice of further action i.e. temporary or permanent suspension if the bullying continues. Consideration should be given as to whether a reconciliation meeting between parties is appropriate at this time.
In some cases the parent of the bully or bullied player can be asked to attend training sessions, if they are able to do so, and if appropriate. The club committee should monitor the situation for a given period to ensure the bullying is not being repeated.
All coaches involved with both individuals should be made aware of the concerns and outcome of the process i.e. the warning

Prevention

The club will have a written constitution, which includes what is acceptable and proper behaviour for all members of which the anti-bullying policy is one part.
All club members and parents will sign to accept the constitution upon joining the club.
The Club Welfare Officer will raise awareness about bullying and why it matters, and if issues of bullying arise in the club, will consider meeting with members to discuss the issue openly and constructively.

Monitoring and evaluation of the policy

To ensure this policy is effective, it will be regularly monitored and evaluated. Following an annual review any amendments will be made to the policy and everyone informed. An annual report will then be issued to governors and parents and the policy will be distributed to all parents.

Guidance for parents/carers

www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/

www.stonewall.org.uk

www.bullying.co.uk

Guidance for young people

www.youngstonewall.org.uk/

www.childline.org.uk

Updated: July 2021