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What is self-care?

Self-care is about the things we can do to look after our own mental health. Young people told us that when they are struggling they are usually told to see a professional. They don't often get much advice about how they could help themselves.

How did we develop these resources?

This self-care section was developed by Common Room and young people from mental health support group Hearts & Minds.

We spoke to professionals and looked at academic research. Then we drew up a list of strategies young people use (you can see the process in this self-care infographic). We also published a report following a consultation with young people and their families online. We're sharing these strategies with you to help you to manage your wellbeing. It's up to you to decide what helps. If it works, keep doing it. If it doesn't, stop and try something else.

These activities are not a substitute for seeing a mental health professional. Sometimes we need outside help and advice. Getting help is good. No-one should feel bad about it. That's what this site is about. These strategies were identified by young people aged 11-25 though some strategies might not be appropriate for all ages without support or guidance of a trusted adult.

Get in touch

You can help us build an evidence-base for these activities by letting us know what works by emailing us. This will help us decide which ones to research further. We've also created a booklet to help you create your own self-care plan as part of our and another booklet with advice for young parents and carers on looking after their wellbeing.

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Explore self-care strategies to manage mental health, with tips and activities for young people based on research and expert advice.

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CSC-1097 Teen Journal Update - Lincs Pilot

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Lumi’s Delight - A Comic Book – Lumi’s Delight

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Sleep awareness month, March 2026

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Fight, Flight, Freeze (anxiety for kids)

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Fight, Flight, Freeze (anxiety for kids)

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Fight Flight Freeze – A Guide to Anxiety for Kids

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The Stress Performance Curve | Self-Love Rainbow

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The Stress Performance Curve shows us how stress affects how well we perform in different daily tasks.

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Test Anxiety Strategies For Kids | Tips-Coping Skills-Affirmations-Elementary-Middle School Students

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Parenting Smart offers practical advice for parents and carers of children aged 5-11. All of our content is created by Place2Be's parenting experts. It's based on evidence and their experiences working with children, young people and their families.

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Sign up to get the latest wellbeing resources, events, news and ways to support our work delivered straight to your inbox. Just add your email address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

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Love teaching, it's time for change - sign up | Education Support

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Sign up to get the latest wellbeing resources, events, news and ways to support our work delivered straight to your inbox. Just add your email address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

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Healthy and Happy- with Joe Wicks online event (January 14th)

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Healthy and Happy- with Joe Wicks online event (January 14th)

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Join author and fitness coach Joe Wicks for tips and motivation to help you feel healthier and happier as you start the new year.

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Planning a birthday party can be very stressful for grown-ups and children, take a look at these party planning ideas, activities, crafts and sweet treat recipes to help take the stress out of throwing a party.

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Looking for parenting and pre-school tips? Maybe you're after ideas for a creative activity, delicious recipe or the perfect party? You'll find all those here, along with insights into our CBeebies shows and how they support your child's development.

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Explore our support | King’s Trust courses and programmes

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Looking to build your confidence, need help getting a job or want support to start a business? We have support and resources for you. Start something today.

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Start the year well: education staff toolkit 

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Start the year well: education staff toolkit 

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Winter Wellbeing: Hot chocolate breathing meditation (video)

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Winter Wellbeing: Hot chocolate breathing meditation (video)

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Winter Wellbeing Snowflake meditation (video)

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Winter Wellbeing Snowflake meditation (video)

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Winter Wellbeing: Snow globe meditation (video)

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Winter Wellbeing: Snow globe meditation (video)

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🌿 Wellbeing Wednesday: Grounded in Nature 🌿

We’ve been making time to get outdoors and reconnect – because nature has a lot to teach us about balance. Even a few minutes outside can make a big difference.

🐿 Prepare – like the squirrel, plan ahead for what you need. Make space for rest and the things that keep you feeling good.
🦆 Connect – move with your flock. Stay close to the people who lift you up.
🌲 Pause – stillness is strength. Take a moment to breathe and recharge.

✨ Nature shows us that small habits matter.

What’s one thing you’ll do today to feel more grounded? 🌿

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Compass Bloom on Instagram: "🍂 Wellbeing Wednesday 🍂

Take a moment. Let the sound of flowing water help you pause, breathe and reset. Even a few seconds of stillness can make a big difference.
You deserve this moment of calm.

🎥 This mindful moment was filmed in Astley Park, a favourite spot shared by young people to take some time out.

#WellbeingWednesday #MindfulMoment #TakeAMoment #AutumnCalm #AstleyPark #YouthVoice"

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1 likes, 0 comments - compassbloom_ on November 5, 2025: "🍂 Wellbeing Wednesday 🍂

Take a moment. Let the sound of flowing water help you pause, breathe and reset. Even a few seconds of stillness can make a big difference.
You deserve this moment of calm.

🎥 This mindful moment was filmed in Astley Park, a favourite spot shared by young people to take some time out.

#WellbeingWednesday #MindfulMoment #TakeAMoment #AutumnCalm #AstleyPark #YouthVoice". 

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Disney Pixar Inside Out Activities for Kids | Twinkl

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Explore our entire collection of Inside Out activities for some engaging maths and literacy tasks, art and craft activities, puzzles, codebreakers, and more!

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Filerobot sharebox used for showing and collaborating different users together on shared files.

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Around one in six 17 to 22 year olds has an identifiable mental health condition, and college staff report significant increases in students with both diagnosed and undiagnosed conditions.

Further education is a unique educational environment with its own challenges.

Staff may spend less time with students, making it more difficult to notice or raise concerns. Students may have additional pressures, like money or housing, which can contribute to mental health concerns.

This section of the website will support college staff with some of the most common mental health issues they see in their students.

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Further education : Mentally Healthy Schools

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Mentally Healthy Schools brings together quality-assured information, advice and resources to help primary schools understand and promote children's mental health and wellbeing.

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What even is a 'hidden disability'? (real story)

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What even is a 'hidden disability'? (real story)

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What Even Is a Hidden Disability? | Mental Health Blog

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Nyrobi, a young artist, shares her journey with hidden disabilities, finding hope through music, forming the band ALT BLK ERA, and advocating for others.

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Your mental health doesn't need to be  'bad enough' to ask for help (real story)

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Your mental health doesn't need to be  'bad enough' to ask for help (real story)

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Your Mental Health Doesn’t Need to Be ‘Bad Enough’

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When Raylen got support for self-harm, addiction and mental health, it was scary but worth it. They share their advice for anyone worried about opening up.

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#send #secondary

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ADHD Self-Care | Tips From a Young Person

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Hassnat shares his ADHD self-care tips that help him handle stress and anxiety, deal with challenges, and recognise his strengths.

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Dyspraxia: how I got through my education (real story)

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Dyspraxia: how I got through my education (real story)

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Dyspraxia: How I Got Through My Education

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From misdiagnosis to getting the right support at school, Lydia shares her experience of dyspraxia and mental health, and how she overcame the challenges.

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Men and therapy: why we need to end the stigma (real story)

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Men and therapy: why we need to end the stigma (real story)

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Men and Therapy: Why We Need to End the Stigma

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Josh thought mental health support wasn’t for him, but after experiencing the benefits of therapy, he wants to empower other young men to ask for help too.

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Six tips for dealing with autistic burnout (real story)

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Six tips for dealing with autistic burnout (real story)

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Topics mentioned: About: This blog contains reference to suicide and self-harm. Please do not read on if you think the content may be triggering for you. If you are currently struggling with your mental health, please visit our find help page for information, advice and guidance on where to get support. Autistic burnout is when you feel completely exhausted from masking and sensory overload. Lily, 25, explores the impact of this on her mental health and shares coping strategies that have helped. autism and mental health
Autism still isn't understood as well as it should be, and when you're experiencing mental illness too, it can make it even more complicated. I've been having a hard time recently and this has led to autistic burnout. I want you to know that if you're struggling too, you are not alone. I'd like to share my experience and the things that I've found helpful.

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Six tips for coping with autistic burnout

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Lily explores the impact of autistic burnout on her mental health and shares coping strategies that have helped her recover.

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What to expect from the autism assessment process (real story)

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What to expect from the autism assessment process (real story)

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What to Expect From the Autism Assessment Process

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Jessica shares what the autism assessment process was like, finding support while waiting for a diagnosis, and the ways she looked after her mental health.

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Our A-Z guide gives you advice on how to help your child with their feelings and behaviour, as well as mental health conditions and life events. We'll also show you where you can get help.

For information and advice on the cost-of-living crisis, including where to find financial support for you and your family, read our guide to money and mental health.

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Parents' A-Z Mental Health Guide | Mental Health Advice

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Our A-Z guide to support has information and advice on how to help your child with specific mental health conditions, and difficult feelings & life events.

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How I survived my GCSEs and you can too!

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How I survived my GCSEs and you can too!

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How I survived my GCSEs and how you can too

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Exams can be tough. Katie shares her experience of panic attacks and anxiety when taking her GCSEs, and her tips and advice for anyone going through it.

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NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Talking Therapies

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Are you suffering from anxiety or depression? NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Talking Therapies, formerly known as IAPT can help. Refer yourself today.

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For teachers of Key Stage 2 and 3 to help children identify their strengths and manage their wellbeing Download our Wellness Action Plan for children.

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Mental health training and support for schools

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Mental health training and support for schools

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Support student wellbeing with our mental health training and resources for schools. Equip staff with tools to support students with their mental health.

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In our own words- a guide for supporting young people 

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In our own words- a guide for supporting young people 

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This is a package of resources for parents, carers, teachers, and others who want to support the mental health of children and young people.

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Mental health e-learning for college staff

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Mental health e-learning for college staff

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Our mental health e-learning for colleges is designed to empower you with knowledge and skills related to young people’s mental health and the mental health of staff.

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This resource offers guidance on how to manage your time and stress levels ahead of exams and strategies to help you keep yourself mentally well.

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Our custom Discord bots are available 24/7 to deliver evidence-based brain exercises and on-demand support. Drop into dedicated support spaces to connect with diverse peers who share your journey, discuss real-world issues, or simply hang out and have a laugh. You can also complete fun, science-backed activities to earn streaks, track your connections, earn XP, and level up through real brain-training stages, all within our community server.

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Mental Health and Wellbeing Advice and Information - Student Space by Student Minds

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Expert information and advice to help you through the challenges of student life. From mental health, studying to money difficulties, help is available.

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Healthy coping strategies: video for young people : Mentally Healthy Schools

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Learn about different practical coping strategies and how to use them in this video.

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Find out more about how to improve students’ mental health and wellbeing through everyday practices.

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Talking mental health: advice for parents and carers (secondary) 

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Talking mental health: advice for parents and carers (secondary) 

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This leaflet developed by Anna Freud's child mental health experts and featuring an introduction from Anna Freud's Chief Executive, Professor Peter Fonagy, provides simple advice and guidance to parents and carers about how to make conversations about their child's feelings part of everyday conversation.

The teenage years are both exciting and challenging to parents and carers. It can be hard to know whether your child's feelings and behaviour are normal or becoming a problem.

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Advice for parents and carers: talking mental health with young people at secondary school

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A leaflet for secondary schools to share with parents and carers, offering top tips for speaking to young people about mental health.

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Talking mental health: advice for parents and carers (primary) 

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Talking mental health: advice for parents and carers (primary) 

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Advice for parents and carers: talking mental health with children at primary school

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A tip sheet for parents and carers sharing advice on talking about mental health with primary school children.

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Understanding why kindness matters, and how it can be shown to ourselves and others, is a great way you can help young people improve and maintain their mental health and wellbeing.

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Supporting young autistic people with their mental health 

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Supporting young autistic people with their mental health 

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Understand different types of anxiety, how it can affect young people, and recognise useful responses to support young people coping with anxiety as they grow up. This course is CPD accredited by the CPD Certification Service.

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Supporting young autistic people with mental health

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We collaborated with Ambitious About Autism to discover how to support young autistic people with their mental health. Find out how you can support them.

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Mental health lead resource hub : Mentally Healthy Schools

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This resource hub has been created in partnership with and funded by the Department for Education, with new resources added regularly. Find out more about how the suitability of resources is assessed. Signposted resources are not funded or endorsed by the Department for Education, unless otherwise stated.

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Moodboosters | Free primary school mental health resources - BBC Teach

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Fun videos and resources for the PSHE curriculum to inspire KS1 / KS2 pupils to get moving for mental health and wellbeing.

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A collection of clips that help unlock growth mindset ideas for pupils and teachers using a cast of animated characters who explore the differences between fixed and growth mindsets.

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#secondary #college

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Talking to young people about mental health 

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Talking to young people about mental health 

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KoothKlass is Kooth’s free series of in-classroom webinars for young people. Delivered in partnership with local schools across the UK, check here for latest events.

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#parents

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Sleep guide for ASC ADHD and learning challenges

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Anti-Bullying Week 2025 - School of Kindness

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What is Anti-Bullying Week, and how can your school get involved? Take part in free workshops, and download lesson plans and activities.

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In this section you will find everything you need to make Anti-Bullying Week happen in your schools across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. All provided free of charge.

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Anti-bullying week 2025 Parent Carer Pack 

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Anti-bullying week 2025 Parent Carer Pack 

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Childnet gives advice for parents and carers to help support children and young people in their safe and responsible use of the internet. #primary #secondary

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Childnet — Online safety for young people

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Helping make the internet a great and safe place for children and young people.

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Confidential and free listening and counselling service for children who are being bullied #primary #secondary

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Childline | Free counselling service for kids and young people | Childline

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Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.

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Family Lives offers a confidential and free* helpline service for families in England and Wales #secondary #primary

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Parenting and family support from Family Lives (formerly Parentline Plus) through our website, helpline 0808 800 2222, email service at askus@familylives.org.uk, live chat and local services.

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Young Minds provide advice and support around bullying for young people and parents/carers. #secondary

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If you're being bullied, whether it's online or at school, university or work, it can be really difficult and leave you feeling hurt - but you are not alone. We have advice on how you can tell someone and get help.

What is bullying?

If somebody physically hurts you, or verbally abuses you, that's bullying.

Specific types of bullying include:

homophobic bullying based on your sexual orientation

racist bullying because of your skin colour or ethnicity

religious bullying because of your beliefs or faith.

sizeist bullying referring to your body size

sexist bullying focusing on you being of the opposite sex

cyberbullying targeting you online, often anonymously

bullying because you are different

Bullying can be a one-off or it can go on for a long time. And bullying can happen to anyone.

No matter how alone you might feel, there is always someone you can talk to and someone who can help.

Talking to someone about being bullied

Ignoring bullying won't make it go away. You need to tell someone about what is happening.

If the bullying is happening at school
Talk to your parents or carers and your teacher. Your teacher may have no idea that you are being bullied, and the school will have an anti-bullying policy to tackle it.

If you feel you can't speak to your teacher, maybe a friend can do it for you. You can also speak to a school counsellor, welfare officer or nurse.

In extreme cases, if bullying is interfering with your education it may be possible for you to change schools if it doesn't stop once you have reported it.

If the bullying is happening outside school
Talk to your parents or carers, close relatives such as grandparents, aunties and uncles, or even your friends' parents. Youth workers and leaders may be able to help too.

If the bullying is happening online
Tell a trusted adult - your parents or carers, or a teacher. You can report abusive posts on Facebook and other social media platforms. You can also report abuse to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre).

Keep reporting the bullying until it stops. It may not stop the first time you tell your parents or teacher and they try to stop it. If the bullying continues, tell them again. Don't put up with it. No one deserves to be bullied.

Tips on bullying from young people like you

Real stories and advice on bullying

Get help now

Whatever you're going through, you don't have to go through it alone. Here are some organisations who can support you.

You might also find helpful...

Bullying can affect us in lots of ways. Here's some more advice and information you might find helpful.

If you're a parent or carer

If you are a parent or carer of a child or young person who is being bullied, we can support you through our Parents Helpline. We are here to listen to you, and give you free, confidential advice and information.

Help us improve our content

Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

Please be aware that this form isn't a mental health support service. If you are in crisis right now and want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.

At YoungMinds we take your privacy seriously. If you'd like to read more about how we keep the information we collect safe, take a look at our privacy policy.

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Bullying | How To Deal With Bullying and Getting Help

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If you are being bullied, or know someone who is, read our advice on where you can get help; whether it's at school, uni or in the workplace.

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Kidscape - Bullying Workshops and Advice

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Kidscape - Bullying Workshops and Advice

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Kidscape provide free workshops for parents, carers, and young people around anti bullying. #secondary

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This site uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site you agree to these cookies being set. See our cookies policy for more information or to change your cookie preferences at any time.

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We give hope and help to thousands of children and families each year and work in communities throughout England and Wales to help keep children safe. Our vision is for all children to grow up in supportive communities safe from bullying and harm.​ Our mission is to provide practical support, training, and advice to challenge bullying and protect young lives.

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NSPCC has a free helpline for parents and carers, as well as additional information on bullying. #primary #secondary

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Introduction

Bullying is when individuals or groups seek to harm, intimidate or coerce someone who is perceived to be vulnerable (Oxford English Dictionary, 2021).

It can involve people of any age, and can happen anywhere - at home, school or using online platforms and technologies (cyberbullying). This means it can happen at any time.

Bullying encompasses a range of behaviours which may be combined and may include the behaviours and actions we have set out below.
Verbal abuse:

name-calling

saying nasty things to or about a child or their family.

Physical abuse: Emotional abuse: Cyberbullying/online bullying:

excluding a child from online games, activities or friendship groups

sending threatening, upsetting or abusive messages

creating and sharing embarrassing or malicious images or videos

'trolling' - sending menacing or upsetting messages on social networks, chat rooms or online games

voting for or against someone in an abusive poll

setting up hate sites or groups about a particular child

creating fake accounts, hijacking or stealing online identities to embarrass a young person or cause trouble using their name.

Bullying and cyberbullying can be a form of discrimination, particularly if it is based on a child's disability, race, religion or belief, gender identity or sexuality.

Impact of bullying and cyberbullying

The emotional effects of being bullied include:

sadness, depression and anxiety

low self-esteem

social isolation

self-harm

(Bainbridge, Ross and Woodhouse, 2017).

"Every day I wake up scared to go to school, scared about the comments people will make and scared about walking home. Then I get in and log onto my social networking site and there are horrible messages everywhere. It's like there's no escaping the bullies. I'm struggling to cope with how upset I feel so sometimes I cut myself just to have a release but it's not enough. I can't go on like this."
Childline counselling session with a girl aged 13
Bullying can affect children's performance and attendance at school. They may find it hard to concentrate on schoolwork and homework, or be too afraid to go to school (Brown, Clery and Ferguson, 2011).

Bullying can happen at any time or anywhere - a child can be bullied online when they are alone in their bedroom trying to relax or do homework - so it can feel like there's no escape (NSPCC, 2016). This can make it even more difficult for children to cope with being bullied. Cyberbullying can make children feel more frightened and helpless than bullying that happens offline (Munro, 2011).

If a child is being bullied online, they may not know who is bullying them (the bully may have created an anonymous online account). This can be extremely frightening.

Children who have witnessed another child being bullied may also be distressed. They may not know the best way to help the person being bullied. They may fear for their own safety and experience feelings of guilt for not stepping in (Children's Commissioner for Wales, 2017; NSPCC, 2016).

Who is involved?

Who is involved?

Why children bully others

There are many reasons why children bully others and it's not always a straightforward situation. Some of these include:

peer pressure and/or wanting the approval of others

wanting to feel powerful over someone with a perceived disadvantage

being bullied or cyberbullied themselves

being worried, unhappy or upset about something

lacking social skills or not understanding how others feel.

Children who bully others may not understand that they are making life difficult for another child, and may find this realisation very distressing. It can be difficult for them to get the support they need to change their behaviour (NSPCC, 2016).

When posting online, children may not consider the impact their actions will have on others. Some children may be more likely to engage in bullying behaviour online as they can create anonymous accounts which may make them feel as if they can't be 'found out'.

Vulnerability factors

Any child can be bullied or cyberbullied. Children who are seen by others as 'different' in some way may be targeted (Children's Commissioner for Wales, 2017).

This might be because of their:

physical appearance

race

faith or culture

gender identity

sexuality

disability or additional needs.

(Ditch the Label, 2019)

Or it could be because they:

It may also be because of a child's family circumstances or home life, for example if they are adopted or in care (Department for Education, 2017) or receiving free school meals (Anti-Bullying Alliance, 2019).

Recognising and responding

Recognising and responding to bullying and cyberbullying

Signs and indicators

Indicators that a child could be experiencing bullying or cyberbullying include:

being reluctant to go to school

being distressed or anxious

losing confidence and becoming withdrawn

having problems eating and/or sleeping

having unexplained injuries

changes in appearance

changes in performance and/or behaviour at school.

Adults may notice that a child isn't spending time with their usual group of friends, has become isolated or that other children's behaviour towards a child has changed.

Reporting

If you have a concern about bullying or cyberbullying, you should follow your organisation's anti-bullying procedures as soon as possible.

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried a child is at risk of serious harm but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

Follow your organisational child protection and procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures in place.

Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our child protection specialists will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice.

Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.

Contact the police.

Services will risk assess the situation and take action to protect the child as appropriate either through statutory involvement or other support. This may include making a referral to the local authority.
> See our information about recognising and responding to abuse
When you're not sure

The NSPCC Helpline can help when you're not sure if a situation needs a safeguarding response. Our child protection specialists are here to support you whether you're seeking advice, sharing concerns about a child, or looking for reassurance.

Whatever the need, reason or feeling, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk

Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you. Depending on what you share, our experts will talk you through which local services can help, advise you on next steps, or make referrals to children's services and the police.
> Find out more about how the NSPCC Helpline can support you
Responding to incidents of bullying and cyberbullying

All organisations that work with children should have a consistent approach to how they respond to bullying and cyberbullying, which should be outlined in an anti-bullying policy. This should be linked to your child protection policy.

We've created an example anti-bullying policy statement that you can tailor according to the context of your organisation. It covers the key topics you need to consider and gives examples of some of the supporting documents you need to put in place.
> Find out more about writing an anti-bullying policy statement When responding to incidents or allegations of bullying it's important for staff and volunteers to:

listen to all the children involved to establish what has happened

record details of the incident and any actions you've taken

inform your nominated child protection lead

inform parents and carers (unless doing so would put a child at further risk of harm)

provide support to the child/children being bullied, children who witnessed the bullying and the child/children who has been accused of bullying

ask the child/children who have been bullied what they would like to happen next

consider appropriate sanctions for children that have carried out bullying

continue to monitor the situation even if the situation has been resolved.

It's important to review your anti-bullying policies and procedures regularly in the light of any incidents that have taken place, any new information learned and best practice.

Your anti-bullying procedures should include information about how you will respond to bullying that takes place outside your organisation, but involves children who know each other through your activities. This should include online bullying, bullying that happens on the way to and from school, and bullying that happens in other public places.
When responding to online bullying and cyberbullying:
If bullying content has been circulated online, take action to contain it:

if appropriate, ask the person responsible to remove the content

contact the host (such as the social networking site) and ask them to take the content down

contact the NSPCC helpline for advice about what to do.

If the content is illegal, contact the police who can give advice and guidance.

Prevention

Preventing bullying and cyberbullying

It's important for organisations to create a culture where it is clear bullying will not be tolerated and children feel they can tell someone if they have a problem..

This might include:

talking to young people about healthy relationships and challenging unhealthy behaviours

promoting sources of help and information such as Childline.

> View our resources on promoting healthy relationships > Visit the Childline website
You should produce accessible versions of your anti-bullying policy and procedures, and share these with children, parents and carers.

Talk to children about:

what bullying and cyberbullying are

how it affects the people involved

why people bully others

what bystanders should do when they witness bullying

the importance of children telling someone if they or someone else is being bullied.

> Find out more about how to have difficult conversations with children
Consider whether there are any areas where bullying may be more likely to happen, for example in toilets or areas of the school that feel unsupervised. You should take steps to make these areas safer, for example making sure staff do regular checks.

Your staff and volunteers should be alert to the dynamics of children's relationships. Consider what approaches might be appropriate to prevent any situations that might escalate into bullying. This could include talking to children and young people in assemblies or lessons or having smaller discussions.

Schools

A whole-school approach is key to preventing and tackling bullying (Department for Education (DfE), 2018a; Welsh Government, 2019). This includes bullying that happens outside school and online (cyberbullying).

Schools should work to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where children, young people and adults treat each other with respect. As part of this, staff and volunteers should challenge inappropriate behaviour or language and not dismiss it as 'banter' (DfE, 2018a).

It's good practice to nominate a member of staff who will co-ordinate the school's response to bullying. The school should make sure that incidents are recorded centrally so that any concerning patterns of behaviour can be identified.

Buddying systems in primary schools and peer mentoring in secondary schools can be effective ways of supporting children who are experiencing or at risk of bullying.

Involving the student council can be a good way to shape realistic anti-bullying policies and practices and ensure children and young people's views are heard.

Resources

We have a range of resources that will help you prevent and tackle bullying in your organisation , including podcasts and lesson plans.
> See our anti-bullying resources

Legislation and guidance

Key legislation

Across the UK there is legislation to protect children from a range of bullying and cyberbullying behaviour, including:

persistent harassment and intimidation - such as name calling and threats

sending indecent, offensive, false or threatening communications.

> Find out more about the legislation and guidance about online harassment and victimisation
Schools' duty to protect pupils from bullying and cyberbullying

In England and Wales, under Section 89 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, maintained schools must have a policy in place to encourage good behaviour and prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. This includes when pupils are not on school premises and are not being supervised by a member of school staff.

The Independent School Standards (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 requires academies and other types of independent schools to have an anti-bullying strategy in place.

In Northern Ireland, under the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, all grant-aided schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy in place that includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils.

The Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 sets out the duties of grant-aided schools to prevent bullying and keep a record of incidents of bullying.

In Scotland, under the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007, schools are required to be 'health promoting'. This includes promoting children's mental, emotional, social and physical health and wellbeing. The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 provides for support for children and young people who face barriers to learning - which can include additional support needs due to bullying.

In England and Wales, Section 89 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 gives head teachers of state schools the power to discipline students for bullying incidents that occur outside of school.

Key guidance

Across the UK, statutory guidance highlights the responsibility of those in the education, community and care sectors to safeguard children from all forms of abuse and neglect including bullying and cyberbullying. Find out more about child protection legislation and guidance in:

Guidance for schools

The Equality Act 2010 and schools (PDF) is a guide for school leaders, school staff, governing bodies and local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales on understanding their duties under the Equality Act (Department for Education, 2014a).

In England, the Department for Education (DfE) has produced guidance for headteachers, school staff and local authorities that outlines their duty to prevent and tackle bullying that occurs in and outside of school (PDF) (DfE, 2017).

The DfE has also produced guidance for schools on searching, screening and confiscation (PDF). In cases of cyberbullying school staff may use this guidance to search mobile phones (DfE, 2018b).

In Northern Ireland, Safeguarding and child protection in schools - a guide for schools includes guidance on schools' duty to protect children and young people from abuse including bullying and cyberbullying (Department of Education, 2020).

The Department of Education (DoE) has published statutory guidance for schools and boards of governors to support the implementation of the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoE, 2021). There are additional resources on effective responses to bullying behaviour to support schools in promoting an anti-bullying culture (DoE, 2022).

Pastoral care in schools: promoting positive behaviour (PDF) is a guide for schools in developing an anti-bullying policy (Department of Education, 2001).

Scotland's national anti-bullying service is Respectme. The service supports adults working with children and young people in dealing with all types of bullying behaviour including:

The Welsh Government provides a series of anti-bullying guidance for schools and other organisations. This includes information on:

bullying linked to protected characteristics

the law related to bullying

effective anti-bullying strategies

responding to bullying (Welsh Government, 2021).

The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) and the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) have produced a guide for schools (PDF) on tackling race and faith targeted bullying that occurs face to face and online (UKCCIS and ABA, 2017).

Keeping children safe from cyberbullying

The Home Office has developed the Online abuse and bullying prevention guide (PDF) for those who work with young people in England and Wales to help them understand the types of online abuse, its consequences and where to go for help. Topics covered include:

In England, the Department for Education has published a guide for headteachers and school staff on protecting themselves from cyberbullying (PDF) (DfE, 2014b).
> Take our Online safety elearning course to help anyone who works with children across the UK understand what they need to do to safeguard children online
Key policy

In Scotland, Respect for all: the national approach to anti-bullying for Scotland's children and young people provides a framework for adults working with children and young people to address all aspects of bullying, including cyberbullying. The approach highlights the government's strategy to end bullying, including a commitment to:

developing and implementing effective anti-bullying policies and practices

improving children and young people's skills, and those who play a role in their lives, to prevent and deal with bullying (Scottish Government, 2017).

Keep up to date with new legislation and guidance by signing up to CASPAR, our current awareness service for policy, practice and research.

References and resources

References and resources

Anti-Bullying Alliance (2019) Change starts with us: a report outlining recommendations to address bullying face to face and online (PDF). London: National Children's Bureau.

Bainbridge, J. Ross, C. and Woodhouse, A. (2017) Inquiry into bullying and harassment in schools: children and young people's voices and experiences of bullying and harassment in schools (PDF). [Edinburgh]: Children in Scotland.

Brown, V., Clery, E. and Ferguson, C. (2011) Estimating the prevalence of young people absent from school due to bullying (PDF). [Cambridge]: Red Balloon Learner Centre Group.

Children's Commissioner for Wales (Comisiynydd Plant Cymru) (2017) Sam's story: listening to children and young people's experiences of bullying in Wales (PDF). Swansea: Children's Commissioner for Wales.

Department for Education (DfE) (2018a) Approaches to preventing and tackling bullying: case studies (PDF) . London: Department for Education.

Department for Education (DfE) (2018b) Searching, screening and confiscation: advice for headteachers, school staff and governing bodies (PDF). London: Department for Education.

Department for Education (DfE) (2017) Preventing and tackling bullying: advice for headteachers, staff and governing bodies (PDF). London: Department for Education.

Department for Education (DfE) (2014a) The Equality Act 2010 and schools (PDF). London: Department for Education.

Department for Education (DfE) (2014b) Cyberbullying: advice for headteachers and school staff (PDF). London: Department for Education.

Department of Education (DoE) (2022) Effective responses to bullying behaviour. [Accessed 09/02/2022].

Department of Education (DoE) (2021) Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016: Statutory guidance for schools and boards of governors. [Accessed 09/02/2022].

Department of Education (DoE) (2020) Safeguarding and child protection in schools: a guide for schools. [Accessed 09/02/2022].

Department of Education (2020) Safeguarding and child protection in schools - a guide for schools. Belfast: Department of Education. [Accessed 03/09/2021].

Department of Education (2001) Pastoral care in schools: promoting positive behaviour (PDF). Belfast: Department of Education.

Ditch the Label (2019) The annual bullying survey 2019 (PDF). London: Ditch the Label.

Home Office (2015) Online abuse and bullying prevention guide (PDF). London: Home Office.

Munro, E.R. (2011) The protection of children online: a brief scoping review to identify vulnerable groups (PDF). [London]: Childhood Wellbeing Research Centre

NSPCC (2016) What children are telling us about bullying: Childline bullying report 2015/16. [London]: NSPCC.

Oxford English Dictionary (2021) Bully. [Accessed 03/09/2021].

Scottish Government (2017) Respect for all: the national approach to anti-bullying for Scotland's children and young people. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

Scottish Government (2021) Respectme: Scotland's anti-bullying service. [Accessed 03/09/2021].

UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) and the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) (2017) Tackling race and faith targeted bullying face to face and online: a short guide for schools (PDF). London: National Children's Bureau.

Welsh Government (2019) Rights, respect, equality: statutory guidance for governing bodies of maintained schools. Cardiff: Welsh Government. [Accessed 03/09/2021].

Welsh Government (2021) School bullying. [Accessed 03/09/2021].

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read information and advice for young people affected by bullying:

You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Elearning

Our Online safety course will help you to gain the skills to protect children from online abuse, including cyberbullying.

Further reading

For further reading about bullying, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keywords "bullying" "cyberbullying".
> Find out more about the Library and Information Service

Introduction

Bullying is when individuals or groups seek to harm, intimidate or coerce someone who is perceived to be vulnerable (Oxford English Dictionary, 2021).

It can involve people of any age, and can happen anywhere - at home, school or using online platforms and technologies (cyberbullying). This means it can happen at any time.

Bullying encompasses a range of behaviours which may be combined and may include the behaviours and actions we have set out below.
Verbal abuse:

name-calling

saying nasty things to or about a child or their family.

Physical abuse: Emotional abuse: Cyberbullying/online bullying:

excluding a child from online games, activities or friendship groups

sending threatening, upsetting or abusive messages

creating and sharing embarrassing or malicious images or videos

'trolling' - sending menacing or upsetting messages on social networks, chat rooms or online games

voting for or against someone in an abusive poll

setting up hate sites or groups about a particular child

creating fake accounts, hijacking or stealing online identities to embarrass a young person or cause trouble using their name.

Bullying and cyberbullying can be a form of discrimination, particularly if it is based on a child's disability, race, religion or belief, gender identity or sexuality.

Impact of bullying and cyberbullying

The emotional effects of being bullied include:

sadness, depression and anxiety

low self-esteem

social isolation

self-harm

(Bainbridge, Ross and Woodhouse, 2017).

"Every day I wake up scared to go to school, scared about the comments people will make and scared about walking home. Then I get in and log onto my social networking site and there are horrible messages everywhere. It's like there's no escaping the bullies. I'm struggling to cope with how upset I feel so sometimes I cut myself just to have a release but it's not enough. I can't go on like this."
Childline counselling session with a girl aged 13
Bullying can affect children's performance and attendance at school. They may find it hard to concentrate on schoolwork and homework, or be too afraid to go to school (Brown, Clery and Ferguson, 2011).

Bullying can happen at any time or anywhere - a child can be bullied online when they are alone in their bedroom trying to relax or do homework - so it can feel like there's no escape (NSPCC, 2016). This can make it even more difficult for children to cope with being bullied. Cyberbullying can make children feel more frightened and helpless than bullying that happens offline (Munro, 2011).

If a child is being bullied online, they may not know who is bullying them (the bully may have created an anonymous online account). This can be extremely frightening.

Children who have witnessed another child being bullied may also be distressed. They may not know the best way to help the person being bullied. They may fear for their own safety and experience feelings of guilt for not stepping in (Children's Commissioner for Wales, 2017; NSPCC, 2016).

Who is involved?

Who is involved?

Why children bully others

There are many reasons why children bully others and it's not always a straightforward situation. Some of these include:

peer pressure and/or wanting the approval of others

wanting to feel powerful over someone with a perceived disadvantage

being bullied or cyberbullied themselves

being worried, unhappy or upset about something

lacking social skills or not understanding how others feel.

Children who bully others may not understand that they are making life difficult for another child, and may find this realisation very distressing. It can be difficult for them to get the support they need to change their behaviour (NSPCC, 2016).

When posting online, children may not consider the impact their actions will have on others. Some children may be more likely to engage in bullying behaviour online as they can create anonymous accounts which may make them feel as if they can't be 'found out'.

Vulnerability factors

Any child can be bullied or cyberbullied. Children who are seen by others as 'different' in some way may be targeted (Children's Commissioner for Wales, 2017).

This might be because of their:

physical appearance

race

faith or culture

gender identity

sexuality

disability or additional needs.

(Ditch the Label, 2019)

Or it could be because they:

It may also be because of a child's family circumstances or home life, for example if they are adopted or in care (Department for Education, 2017) or receiving free school meals (Anti-Bullying Alliance, 2019).

Recognising and responding

Recognising and responding to bullying and cyberbullying

Signs and indicators

Indicators that a child could be experiencing bullying or cyberbullying include:

being reluctant to go to school

being distressed or anxious

losing confidence and becoming withdrawn

having problems eating and/or sleeping

having unexplained injuries

changes in appearance

changes in performance and/or behaviour at school.

Adults may notice that a child isn't spending time with their usual group of friends, has become isolated or that other children's behaviour towards a child has changed.

Reporting

If you have a concern about bullying or cyberbullying, you should follow your organisation's anti-bullying procedures as soon as possible.

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried a child is at risk of serious harm but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

Follow your organisational child protection and procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures in place.

Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our child protection specialists will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice.

Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.

Contact the police.

Services will risk assess the situation and take action to protect the child as appropriate either through statutory involvement or other support. This may include making a referral to the local authority.
> See our information about recognising and responding to abuse
When you're not sure

The NSPCC Helpline can help when you're not sure if a situation needs a safeguarding response. Our child protection specialists are here to support you whether you're seeking advice, sharing concerns about a child, or looking for reassurance.

Whatever the need, reason or feeling, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk

Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you. Depending on what you share, our experts will talk you through which local services can help, advise you on next steps, or make referrals to children's services and the police.
> Find out more about how the NSPCC Helpline can support you
Responding to incidents of bullying and cyberbullying

All organisations that work with children should have a consistent approach to how they respond to bullying and cyberbullying, which should be outlined in an anti-bullying policy. This should be linked to your child protection policy.

We've created an example anti-bullying policy statement that you can tailor according to the context of your organisation. It covers the key topics you need to consider and gives examples of some of the supporting documents you need to put in place.
> Find out more about writing an anti-bullying policy statement When responding to incidents or allegations of bullying it's important for staff and volunteers to:

listen to all the children involved to establish what has happened

record details of the incident and any actions you've taken

inform your nominated child protection lead

inform parents and carers (unless doing so would put a child at further risk of harm)

provide support to the child/children being bullied, children who witnessed the bullying and the child/children who has been accused of bullying

ask the child/children who have been bullied what they would like to happen next

consider appropriate sanctions for children that have carried out bullying

continue to monitor the situation even if the situation has been resolved.

It's important to review your anti-bullying policies and procedures regularly in the light of any incidents that have taken place, any new information learned and best practice.

Your anti-bullying procedures should include information about how you will respond to bullying that takes place outside your organisation, but involves children who know each other through your activities. This should include online bullying, bullying that happens on the way to and from school, and bullying that happens in other public places.
When responding to online bullying and cyberbullying:
If bullying content has been circulated online, take action to contain it:

if appropriate, ask the person responsible to remove the content

contact the host (such as the social networking site) and ask them to take the content down

contact the NSPCC helpline for advice about what to do.

If the content is illegal, contact the police who can give advice and guidance.

Prevention

Preventing bullying and cyberbullying

It's important for organisations to create a culture where it is clear bullying will not be tolerated and children feel they can tell someone if they have a problem..

This might include:

talking to young people about healthy relationships and challenging unhealthy behaviours

promoting sources of help and information such as Childline.

> View our resources on promoting healthy relationships > Visit the Childline website
You should produce accessible versions of your anti-bullying policy and procedures, and share these with children, parents and carers.

Talk to children about:

what bullying and cyberbullying are

how it affects the people involved

why people bully others

what bystanders should do when they witness bullying

the importance of children telling someone if they or someone else is being bullied.

> Find out more about how to have difficult conversations with children
Consider whether there are any areas where bullying may be more likely to happen, for example in toilets or areas of the school that feel unsupervised. You should take steps to make these areas safer, for example making sure staff do regular checks.

Your staff and volunteers should be alert to the dynamics of children's relationships. Consider what approaches might be appropriate to prevent any situations that might escalate into bullying. This could include talking to children and young people in assemblies or lessons or having smaller discussions.

Schools

A whole-school approach is key to preventing and tackling bullying (Department for Education (DfE), 2018a; Welsh Government, 2019). This includes bullying that happens outside school and online (cyberbullying).

Schools should work to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where children, young people and adults treat each other with respect. As part of this, staff and volunteers should challenge inappropriate behaviour or language and not dismiss it as 'banter' (DfE, 2018a).

It's good practice to nominate a member of staff who will co-ordinate the school's response to bullying. The school should make sure that incidents are recorded centrally so that any concerning patterns of behaviour can be identified.

Buddying systems in primary schools and peer mentoring in secondary schools can be effective ways of supporting children who are experiencing or at risk of bullying.

Involving the student council can be a good way to shape realistic anti-bullying policies and practices and ensure children and young people's views are heard.

Resources

We have a range of resources that will help you prevent and tackle bullying in your organisation , including podcasts and lesson plans.
> See our anti-bullying resources

Legislation and guidance

Key legislation

Across the UK there is legislation to protect children from a range of bullying and cyberbullying behaviour, including:

persistent harassment and intimidation - such as name calling and threats

sending indecent, offensive, false or threatening communications.

> Find out more about the legislation and guidance about online harassment and victimisation
Schools' duty to protect pupils from bullying and cyberbullying

In England and Wales, under Section 89 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, maintained schools must have a policy in place to encourage good behaviour and prevent all forms of bullying among pupils. This includes when pupils are not on school premises and are not being supervised by a member of school staff.

The Independent School Standards (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 requires academies and other types of independent schools to have an anti-bullying strategy in place.

In Northern Ireland, under the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, all grant-aided schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy in place that includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils.

The Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 sets out the duties of grant-aided schools to prevent bullying and keep a record of incidents of bullying.

In Scotland, under the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007, schools are required to be 'health promoting'. This includes promoting children's mental, emotional, social and physical health and wellbeing. The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 provides for support for children and young people who face barriers to learning - which can include additional support needs due to bullying.

In England and Wales, Section 89 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 gives head teachers of state schools the power to discipline students for bullying incidents that occur outside of school.

Key guidance

Across the UK, statutory guidance highlights the responsibility of those in the education, community and care sectors to safeguard children from all forms of abuse and neglect including bullying and cyberbullying. Find out more about child protection legislation and guidance in:

Guidance for schools

The Equality Act 2010 and schools (PDF) is a guide for school leaders, school staff, governing bodies and local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales on understanding their duties under the Equality Act (Department for Education, 2014a).

In England, the Department for Education (DfE) has produced guidance for headteachers, school staff and local authorities that outlines their duty to prevent and tackle bullying that occurs in and outside of school (PDF) (DfE, 2017).

The DfE has also produced guidance for schools on searching, screening and confiscation (PDF). In cases of cyberbullying school staff may use this guidance to search mobile phones (DfE, 2018b).

In Northern Ireland, Safeguarding and child protection in schools - a guide for schools includes guidance on schools' duty to protect children and young people from abuse including bullying and cyberbullying (Department of Education, 2020).

The Department of Education (DoE) has published statutory guidance for schools and boards of governors to support the implementation of the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (DoE, 2021). There are additional resources on effective responses to bullying behaviour to support schools in promoting an anti-bullying culture (DoE, 2022).

Pastoral care in schools: promoting positive behaviour (PDF) is a guide for schools in developing an anti-bullying policy (Department of Education, 2001).

Scotland's national anti-bullying service is Respectme. The service supports adults working with children and young people in dealing with all types of bullying behaviour including:

The Welsh Government provides a series of anti-bullying guidance for schools and other organisations. This includes information on:

bullying linked to protected characteristics

the law related to bullying

effective anti-bullying strategies

responding to bullying (Welsh Government, 2021).

The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) and the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) have produced a guide for schools (PDF) on tackling race and faith targeted bullying that occurs face to face and online (UKCCIS and ABA, 2017).

Keeping children safe from cyberbullying

The Home Office has developed the Online abuse and bullying prevention guide (PDF) for those who work with young people in England and Wales to help them understand the types of online abuse, its consequences and where to go for help. Topics covered include:

In England, the Department for Education has published a guide for headteachers and school staff on protecting themselves from cyberbullying (PDF) (DfE, 2014b).
> Take our Online safety elearning course to help anyone who works with children across the UK understand what they need to do to safeguard children online
Key policy

In Scotland, Respect for all: the national approach to anti-bullying for Scotland's children and young people provides a framework for adults working with children and young people to address all aspects of bullying, including cyberbullying. The approach highlights the government's strategy to end bullying, including a commitment to:

developing and implementing effective anti-bullying policies and practices

improving children and young people's skills, and those who play a role in their lives, to prevent and deal with bullying (Scottish Government, 2017).

Keep up to date with new legislation and guidance by signing up to CASPAR, our current awareness service for policy, practice and research.

References and resources

References and resources

Anti-Bullying Alliance (2019) Change starts with us: a report outlining recommendations to address bullying face to face and online (PDF). London: National Children's Bureau.

Bainbridge, J. Ross, C. and Woodhouse, A. (2017) Inquiry into bullying and harassment in schools: children and young people's voices and experiences of bullying and harassment in schools (PDF). [Edinburgh]: Children in Scotland.

Brown, V., Clery, E. and Ferguson, C. (2011) Estimating the prevalence of young people absent from school due to bullying (PDF). [Cambridge]: Red Balloon Learner Centre Group.

Children's Commissioner for Wales (Comisiynydd Plant Cymru) (2017) Sam's story: listening to children and young people's experiences of bullying in Wales (PDF). Swansea: Children's Commissioner for Wales.

Department for Education (DfE) (2018a) Approaches to preventing and tackling bullying: case studies (PDF) . London: Department for Education.

Department for Education (DfE) (2018b) Searching, screening and confiscation: advice for headteachers, school staff and governing bodies (PDF). London: Department for Education.

Department for Education (DfE) (2017) Preventing and tackling bullying: advice for headteachers, staff and governing bodies (PDF). London: Department for Education.

Department for Education (DfE) (2014a) The Equality Act 2010 and schools (PDF). London: Department for Education.

Department for Education (DfE) (2014b) Cyberbullying: advice for headteachers and school staff (PDF). London: Department for Education.

Department of Education (DoE) (2022) Effective responses to bullying behaviour. [Accessed 09/02/2022].

Department of Education (DoE) (2021) Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016: Statutory guidance for schools and boards of governors. [Accessed 09/02/2022].

Department of Education (DoE) (2020) Safeguarding and child protection in schools: a guide for schools. [Accessed 09/02/2022].

Department of Education (2020) Safeguarding and child protection in schools - a guide for schools. Belfast: Department of Education. [Accessed 03/09/2021].

Department of Education (2001) Pastoral care in schools: promoting positive behaviour (PDF). Belfast: Department of Education.

Ditch the Label (2019) The annual bullying survey 2019 (PDF). London: Ditch the Label.

Home Office (2015) Online abuse and bullying prevention guide (PDF). London: Home Office.

Munro, E.R. (2011) The protection of children online: a brief scoping review to identify vulnerable groups (PDF). [London]: Childhood Wellbeing Research Centre

NSPCC (2016) What children are telling us about bullying: Childline bullying report 2015/16. [London]: NSPCC.

Oxford English Dictionary (2021) Bully. [Accessed 03/09/2021].

Scottish Government (2017) Respect for all: the national approach to anti-bullying for Scotland's children and young people. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

Scottish Government (2021) Respectme: Scotland's anti-bullying service. [Accessed 03/09/2021].

UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) and the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) (2017) Tackling race and faith targeted bullying face to face and online: a short guide for schools (PDF). London: National Children's Bureau.

Welsh Government (2019) Rights, respect, equality: statutory guidance for governing bodies of maintained schools. Cardiff: Welsh Government. [Accessed 03/09/2021].

Welsh Government (2021) School bullying. [Accessed 03/09/2021].

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read information and advice for young people affected by bullying:

You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Elearning

Our Online safety course will help you to gain the skills to protect children from online abuse, including cyberbullying.

Further reading

For further reading about bullying, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keywords "bullying" "cyberbullying".
> Find out more about the Library and Information Service

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Protecting children from bullying and cyberbullying | NSPCC Learning

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Describes what bullying and cyberbullying is, how it affects children and how people working with children can prevent and respond to it.