Bullying
Bullying means a lot of things, but the one thing it does mean for the individual being bullied is that it causes pain.
Children with additional learning
difficulties may be more likely to be bullied because of their
problems. As a parent it is important to be aware that
your child may be more readily the target of bullying, and how to
suspect a potential problem. The child might not want to bother the
parents with their problems and would rather try and cope with it
themselves.
Be aware of your child and any change in their behaviour:
• They may refuse to go to school, especially on
certain days.
• They may no longer want to
walk to school, when they have previously walked
happily.
• They may want you to drop
them off at the school gates.
• Their schoolwork may
deteriorate.
• Clothes, books or other
possessions may be damaged, with a garbled explanation if
asked.
• They may start avoiding
certain routes to school.
• Increased behaviour
problems at home.
• They may be hungry when
they come home - someone may be stealing their lunch money, or
taking
their sandwiches
etc.
• Their appetite may go up
or down.
• They may be less chatty
about school, and become moody, especially at the end of the
weekend.
• They may cry themselves to
sleep.
• They may have
“bad” dreams.
• They may have unexplained
bruises or scratches.
• They may take money from
your purse - to pay the bullies.
• They may become withdrawn,
and not want to talk much at all.
• They may start soiling or
wetting the bed.
• They may start complaining
of minor ailments to avoid going to school.
Useful organisations:
Childline
A 24-hour national free helpline
for children in trouble or in danger, Childline is a service
offered by the NSPCC:
Weston House
42 Curtain Road
London
EC2A 3NH
0800 1111
Parentline Plus
520 Highgate Studios
53-79 Highgate Road
London
NW5 1TL
0808 800 2222
http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Useful guidance:
Youth
Access:
1-2 Taylors Yard
67 Alderbrook Road
London
SW12 8AD
020 8772 9900
admin@youthaccess.org.uk
http://www.youthaccess.org.uk/
1-2 Taylors Yard
67 Alderbrook Road
London
SW12 8AD
020 8772 9900
admin@youthaccess.org.uk
http://www.youthaccess.org.uk/
Education Otherwise:
Advice on education at home
PO Box 325,
Kings Lynn,
PE34 3XW
Please enclose SAE
0891 518303
http://www.education-otherwise.org
eoemailhelpline@education-otherwise.org
Children’s Legal Centre
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
Essex CO4 3SQ
United Kingdom
01206 872 466
http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/
clc@essex.ac.uk
Advisory Centre for Education
1c Aberdeen Studios
22 Highbury Grove
London N5 2DQ
0808 800 5793
http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/