Anti-Bullying Policy

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our children so they can train, and play in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at Firwood Bootle Cricket Club. If bullying does occur, all children should be able to tell, and know, incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING club. This means anyone who knows bullying is happening is expected to tell someone who can do something about it.

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.

Bullying can take may forms:

Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting, for example; hiding kit, or making threatening gestures)

Physical: pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence

Racist: racial taunts, graffiti and/or gestures

Sexual: unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments

Homophobic: because of or focusing on the issue of sexuality

Verbal: name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours and teasing

Cyber: bullying behaviour online or via electronic communications (email and text, social media etc) including misuse of associated technology, such as camera and video facilities.

Why is it important to respond to bullying?

Bullying hurts. No one should be a victim of bullying. Everyone has the right to be treated with respect.

Children who are bullying also need to learn different ways of behaving.

Objectives of this Policy

All adults and children at Firwood Bootle Cricket Club should have an understanding of what bullying is.
All officials, coaching and non-coaching staff should know what the club policy is on bullying and follow it when bullying is reported.
All children and parents should know what the club policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.

As a club, we take bullying seriously. Children and parents should be assured they will be supported when bullying is reported as it will not be tolerated.

Signs and symptoms a child may indicate that they are being bullied

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

Says they are being bullied
Changes their usual routine
Is unwilling to go to the club.
Becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
Comes home with clothes torn or belongings damaged
Has possessions which are damaged or 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, the child:
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.
Self-harms

These signs and behaviours could indicate other problems, but bullying is a possibility and should be investigated

Procedures

Report bullying incidents to the Club Welfare officer and this will be logged accordingly.

In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be reported to the ECB Safeguarding Team for advice via the County Welfare Officer
Bullying behaviour or any threats will be investigated thoroughly
A plan will be implemented to support the victim whilst this investigation is ongoing. If the alleged bully is a child, consideration will be given to what support they might need
In cases of serious bullying, the incidents may be reported to the ECB Safeguarding Team.
If the bullying relates affects children, then parents should be informed and will be asked to come to a meeting to discuss
If necessary and appropriate, the police will be consulted
An attempt will be made to help the bully understand and address their bullying behaviour and how it impacts others. In cases of adults reported to be bullying children, the County Safeguarding Officer will always be informed and will advise on the action to be taken.
Parents will be informed and invited to a meeting to discuss the problem
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. In cases of adults reported to be bullying cricketers under 18, the ECB must always be informed and will advise on action to be taken.