Dumfries and Galloway pupils and parents assured new approach being developed to tackle bullying

Pupils and parents have been assured that a new approach is being developed for tackling bullying in schools across Dumfries and Galloway.

Education chiefs at Dumfries and Galloway Council are currently reviewing bullying guidance, and have vowed to make adjustments in their handling of difficult bullying situations.

This includes the support available for the bullying victim, but also the bully themselves due to complex issues which are likely leading to aggressive and disruptive behaviour.

An education report tabled at last week’s full council meeting confirmed that work is currently underway, with inputs from Police Scotland, young people, and teaching and school staff.

The report states: “From this, a new approach to bullying will be developed looking both at the bullying ‘victim’ and the support available to them, as well as the bully themselves.

“The new approach aims to be restorative and reformative, addressing issues directly through group work programmes, one-to-one support and education in schools as opposed to expulsion or exclusion.”

This news will be welcomed by parents, pupils, staff, and also the region’s councillors who have been receiving complaints about the current system for handling bullying.

Annandale South Councillor George Jamieson tabled a motion on the issue at last Thursday’s council meeting, calling for an “urgent review” in the education department to ensure that everything is being done to prevent bullying in Dumfries and Galloway schools.

He described the bullying situation as “complex, emotive, and really difficult.”

Councillor Jamieson continued: “The incentive to bring this motion forward really came from parents, and children, and staff who believe there are real issues of bullying.

“It’s getting worse because of social media etc, and children are more challenged now than they used to be.”

Abbey Councillor Kim Lowe, who seconded the motion, said: “Current anti-bullying policy has limits which I think could be strengthened.

“The whole area of inclusion with pupils on either side of a bullying incident needs to be explicit.

“Both the pupil who has bullied, and those who have experienced the bullying, to need receive appropriate support from schools and partnership agencies, including external agencies. This can be affected through child plans.

“The 10,000 Voices survey results show that 40 to 50 per cent of children aged 5-18 were happy at school most of the time. So, by default, 50 to 60 per cent were not.”

Jim Brown, the council’s chief education officer, said that he appreciated all the comments made by elected members about the “seriousness of this issue”, but stressed that detailed work is already underway in the council’s action plan for 2024/25 to improve anti-bullying policy.

An update on the progress of the work being done will be presented to councillors in September.