It’s national Anti-Bullying Week, a really important awareness event and one which is marked across Keys’ schools and homes. This year’s theme is “reach out”. We spoke with Julie Hamilton, Manager Director at Keys, to find out why it’s vital bullying is recognised, and acted upon, particularly in children’s residential homes and schools.
“At Keys we support vulnerable young people both in residential children’s homes and in specialist schools. The children supported in the residential children’s homes are all looked after children, and many of the children who attend Keys’ schools are also looked after.
“Why is that important? Well, young people in residential care live and interact together over a much more prolonged and intense period than those who live with their families; this intensity can have a negative impact on peer relationships in the home; increasing risks of potential bullying. Our schools are also usually much smaller than a mainstream environment – this is fantastic in giving children the best possible learning environment – and also means that their peers groups may be smaller
“When attending external school placements or socialising in the community, young people who live in residential children’s homes can become targets for bullying due to discrimination from others, simply because they are looked after.
“The young people we look after are also likely to be psychologically and emotionally more vulnerable – due to adverse childhood experiences – than those children and young people with supportive family networks and secure family backgrounds.
“The young people supported by Keys may have already suffered abusive or disruptive life experiences. Equally, many young people may also experience behaviour that is challenging for them, and those around them, and have difficulties interacting with others in a positive way
“ it is vital the young people we look after are not exposed to further negative experiences by being bullied or by bullying others. We aim always to respond in a concerned, consistent, comprehensive and effective way and take a really proactive stance on bullying, recognising it and preventing it wherever possible.
“Naturally every home and school has policies, which are embedded in practice, and strategies for dealing with bullying which help us make sure children are protected as much as possible. But events such as Anti-Bullying Week are a great way in helping us all focus on the subject and raise even more awareness.”
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