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Anti Bullying Policy

The Man In The Moon provides a supportive, caring and safe environment in which all children are free from the fear of being bullied. Bullying of any form is not tolerated, whether carried out by a child or an adult.

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Crew members, children and parents/carers will be made aware of our position on bullying. Bullying behaviour is unacceptable in any form.

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Any child who is a victim of bullying will be dealt with in a sympathetic manner. If bullying is suspected or reported, the incident will be dealt with immediately by the crew member informed. An account of the incident will be recorded in an Incident Log. All crew members will be informed so that close monitoring of the victim and the bully can begin. Parents/carers of both parties will be informed.

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The Man In The Moon defines bullying as the repeated harassment of others through emotional, physical, psychological or verbal abuse.

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  • Physical: Pushing, scratching, spitting, kicking, hitting, biting, taking or damaging belongings, tripping up, punching or using any sort of violence against another person.

  • Psychological: Behaviour likely to create a sense of fear or anxiety in another person.

  • Emotional: Being deliberately unkind, shunning or excluding another person from a group or tormenting them. For example, making another person feel 'left out' of a game or activity, passing notes about others or making fun of another person.

  • Verbal: Name-calling, put-downs, ridiculing or using words to attack, threaten or insult. For example, spreading rumours or making fun of another person's appearance.

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Racial harassment can take any of the forms of bullying listed above but is motivated by the victim's colour, race, nationality, or ethnic or national origins. Incidents of racial harassment will be recorded as such in the Incident log. See our Equalities policy for more information on how we deal with and challenge discriminatory behaviour.

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Preventing bullying behaviour

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We will foster an anti-bullying culture in the following ways:

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  • Encouraging caring and nurturing behaviour.

  • Discussing friendships and encouraging group and team play.

  • Encouraging children to report bullying without fear.

  • Discussing the issues surrounding bullying with the children, including why bullying behaviour will not be tolerated.

  • Exploring the consequences of bullying behaviour with the children.

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Responding to bullying behaviour

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The Man In The Moon acknowledges that despite all efforts to prevent it, bullying behaviour is likely to occur sometimes. Should such incidents occur, we will follow the procedure outlined below:

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  • We will address all incidents of bullying thoroughly and sensitively.

  • Victims of bullying will be offered the immediate opportunity to discuss the matter with a crew member who will reassure the child and offer support.

  • They will be reassured that what they say will be taken seriously and handled sympathetically.

  • Crew members will support the individual who has been bullied, keeping them under close supervision, and checking their welfare regularly.

  • If another child witnesses bullying and reports it, crew members will reassure them that they have done the right thing. Crew members will then investigate the matter.

  • If a crew member witnesses an act of bullying, involving children or adults, they will act in accordance with this policy.

  • Children who bully will be helped by discussing what has happened, and establishing why the child became involved. Crew members will help the child to understand why this form of behaviour is unacceptable and will encourage him/her to change their behaviour.

  • If the bullying persists, the parents will be informed and we will work with them to try to resolve the issues.

  • If this fails to stop the bullying, more serious actions may have to be taken, as laid out in the Suspension and Exclusion policy.

  • All incidents of bullying will be reported and recorded in an Incident Log.

  • We will review our procedures in respect of bullying, to ensure that practices are relevant and effective.

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Related policies: Equalities, Safeguarding and Suspension and Exclusion.

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Reviewed: 10 May 2022

Review Period: 24 months​

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