Statement

Clwb Nofio Caernarfon will not condone bullying behaviour by any of its members. We believe every member should have an equal right to enjoy and benefit from the club.

Background

In order to write this policy we have asked the children to define bullying and circumstances where it may occur.

We decided that it was possible for everyone to become a possible target at some time or other and that bullying could be, for example:

• Physical – pushing, hitting, kicking etc.

• Verbal – calling names, making personal remarks

• Exclusion – not allowing someone to join in an activity, encouraging others not to talk to a certain person

• Threatening – threatening a person either physically or verbally if they don’t do what the bully wants.

• Extortion – making the target give them money or belongings.

Sometime an incident can occur when somebody gets hurt by accident or misunderstands a situation and this wouldn’t always be bullying. We felt that usually bullying could be said to be:

• Planned and deliberate

• Carried out on a regular basis

• Sometimes a group of people against one person

• Picking on someone because they are ‘different’

• Upsetting e.g. playing jokes where the bully thinks it is funny but the target doesn’t. ( It is only a joke if EVERYBODY is laughing).

We also thought that most bullying takes place in areas where grown-ups aren’t always around e.g. the changing rooms. Many children felt that the occasional presence of parents in the changing rooms would help with reducing problems.

We decided to identify some of the older children who would be willing to help if anyone was having a problem. The names of these mentors will be put on the notice board.

What to do if you are being bullied:

1. The most important thing to do is to ‘Tell someone’ about it – your parents, friends, mentors, teachers or coach. They will be able to help you.

2. If you are able to, ask the bully to stop. If you don’t feel you can, ask some of your friends or one of the mentors.

3. Try to walk away and not fight back – but tell someone about it.

4. Try to ignore the bully e.g. if someone calls you names. If that doesn’t stop it tell someone.

5. Think honestly about your behaviour – have you done something e.g. thrown something at someone, hidden their bag etc which has made them cross.

What to do if you see someone being bullied

It is the responsibility of everyone connected with the club – children, parents, teachers, coaches, and officers – to watch out for any incidents of bullying. If you see something that you are not happy about, tell somebody. This could be:

• One of the named Mentors.

• A teacher or coach

• An office of the club – a list is on the board.

• If you don’t want to talk to any of the above, tell your parents or a friend and ask them to report it.

What the club will do

We will take notice of every report of bullying and will always investigate every allegation. In consultation with parents of the child who has/is being bullied, the action taken will depend on the seriousness of the allegation.

1. If the incident sounds as if it could have been an accident or a mistake, we will have an informal chat with the children concerned.

2. If it sounds more serious, we will invite the child who had been accused of bullying and their parents to discuss the problem

3. If there is found to be a serious problem, we will warn the child and give a time limit in which we expect an improvement in behaviour. If necessary, the child will be suspended for for a certain amount of time. If the problem persists, we will remove the child from membership.

For this policy to work, everyone must take responsibility, both for their own behaviour and also for ensuring the well being of other people in the Club. By doing this, we can make sure that the Club remains a pleasant and safe environment.