School Fitness Ireland is fully committed to promoting a safe and positive environment where anyone who attends our programmes/camps are treated with dignity and respect. Bullying behaviour of any kind is not tolerated, whether it occurs in-person or online, and will be addressed in accordance with this policy. This document outlines the measures and strategies to prevent bullying, ensure reporting and handle any incidents that arise. This policy applies to all employees, contractors, children, and participants involved in School Fitness Ireland activities, whether on-site or off-site.
School Fitness Ireland follows the UNESCO (2020) definition of bullying, which states:
Bullying is in-person and online behaviour between children and young people within a social network that causes physical, emotional, or social harm to targeted young people. It is characterised by an imbalance of power that is enabled or inhibited by the social and institutional norms and context of schools/organisations and the education system. Bullying implies an absence of effective responses and care towards the target by peers and adults.
School Fitness Ireland also acknowledges that the physical, emotional, or social harm experienced by children and young people targeted by bullying is not necessarily dependent on how often the bullying occurs, meaning repetition is not a characteristic of bullying.
While the likelihood of bullying occuring in an organisation that works with children is high, it’s important to note that normal peer conflicts or small disputes between children are normal, but they are usually short-lived, equal in power, and can be resolved without lingering negative effects.
Types of bullying include but are not limited to:
School Fitness Ireland prioritises fostering a culture of respect and kindness, emphasising the importance of treating others with compassion and dignity. Children are always reminded on the first day of programmes/ camps to be kind to each other. During camps specifically, time is put aside every day for circle time and the buddy system. During this time, children are reminded of our rules about being kind to one another and are also given time to talk to their “buddy”.
Open communication and a supportive atmosphere is important to ensure that individuals feel comfortable reporting bullying incidents without fear of retaliation. We foster a supportive environment of open communication where children feel safe to express their concerns and report bullying incidents without fear of retaliation. Children are informed on the first day of programmes/ camps if there are any problems, they can speak to any of the coaches on site. Coaches will always respond with patience and sensitivity when handling any problem brought forward.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses bullying behaviour should report it immediately to a coach or School Fitness Ireland employee. Reports of bullying will be taken seriously and investigated promptly and impartially, maintaining confidentiality to the fullest extent possible.
In order to investigate the reported bullying, there is an open, judgement free discussion among the children/young people involved and a staff member whereby bullying concerns can be raised and issues discussed. The staff member involved will have to exercise professional judgement to determine if bullying has occurred by considering the accounts of everyone involved and any bystanders who witnessed the incident. An effort will be made to resolve any issues and to restore, as far as practicable, the relationships. If the incident occurs in a camp, parents/caregivers will be made aware of the behaviour and will be invited to come in to discuss the incident with the aim of resolving the issue. The situation will continue to be monitored to ensure there are no further problems and all issues have been resolved.
School Fitness Ireland utilises the “No Blame” approach when addressing reports of bullying among young people. This method focuses on restoring or repairing positive relationships and encourages the individuals involved to reflect on their behaviour, its impact, and the feelings of everyone affected.
The “No Blame” approach aims to resolve the situation without imposing punishment, which is often the preferred outcome for young people who simply want the bullying to stop and their relationships to improve. While adults may find this approach challenging, wanting to assign consequences, the focus here is on the young people’s perspective and the solution that best supports their needs.
The ethos of the NO BLAME approach encourages individuals to:
This approach helps young people take responsibility for their actions, recognise the effects of their behaviour, and work towards rebuilding trust and maintaining positive relationships within their peer group.
The staff member who the incident was first reported to will then complete an incident report detailing everything that happened. This will include how it was reported, the accounts of anyone involved and how it was resolved. This report will then be shared with the anti-bullying coordinator who will keep a digital record of it.
School Fitness Ireland will provide support and assistance to individuals affected by bullying including counselling, mediation and referrals to appropriate resources. Support will not only be offered to the person who has been bullied but also to the perpetrator with the aim of implementing a positive behaviour change. Support offered is listed below:
All employees and contractors of School Fitness Ireland will receive training on recognising, preventing, and responding to bullying behaviour. This training will take place at annual staff meetings by going through the anti-bullying policy as well as discussing cases of bullying that have come up in the recent past and how they were handled. If any staff member needs assistance in handling a bullying situation or would like a second opinion, they are encouraged to reach out to the anti-bullying coordinator for guidance and support.
School Fitness Ireland will also actively demonstrate that we are equipped to address bullying and committed to its prevention by using our marketing and social media platforms to highlight our focus on fostering friendships, promoting kindness, and creating a supportive community. Additionally, we will regularly share organisations on our social media that offer support and resources to anyone who has experienced bullying.
Violations of this anti-bullying policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or participation in School Fitness Ireland activities. Retaliation against individuals who report bullying will not be tolerated.
This policy will be reviewed by October 1, 2027, or as soon as practicable following any significant changes to matters addressed in the policy. School Fitness Ireland stakeholders, including employees, children, parents, and schools, are welcome to suggest improvements. All suggestions will be promptly reviewed by the anti-bullying coordinator and relevant staff.
By participating in School Fitness Ireland activities, employees, volunteers, contractors, children, and participants acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with this anti-bullying policy.
