ABA launches online local authority anti-bullying toolkit

Monday 22 June 2009

The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), the national authority on anti-bullying work is delighted to launch its online Local Authority Anti-Bullying Toolkit, today Monday 15 June 2009.  Based on ABA's experience of working with all local authorities through its regional support networks, the toolkit is designed to meet the demand from local authorities for support in developing strategic approaches to tackling of bullying in schools and the wider community.

The toolkit includes essential information for local authorities including standards for monitoring and measuring performance -and case studies offering practical examples of how to put an effective anti-bullying strategy into action.

Chris Cloke, ABA Chair, said: 'Chris Cloke, Chair of ABA, said: 'This Toolkit contains essential information to guide local authority anti-bullying practice - such as indicators to measure how far they have improved their anti-bullying work. The toolkit will be constantly updated to reflect the latest policy and practice so local authorities will be able to rely on it's relevance and accuracy.'

John Stead, ABA Regional Advisor for Yorks and Humber, said: 'All local authorities need to take a strategic approach to bullying, and need to ensure that bullying is addressed in their Children and Young People's Plan. Many local Authorities in my area realise the importance of involving children and young people in developing strategy, as well as involving them in monitoring and evaluating, and I hope this toolkit will enable others to follow suit.'

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The ABA Local Authority toolkit is supported by DCSF as part of its regional programme and its available to download by visiting: www.anti-bullyingalliancetoolkit.org.uk

Notes for editors:

1. The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) the national authority on anti-bullying work, is a unique organisation of over 60 members from the voluntary, public and private sectors, who work together to reduce bullying and create safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn. ABA defines bullying as 'the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person by another, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be carried out physically, verbally emotionally or through cyber space.' ABA is based at NCB. For more information visit http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/

2.  Anti-Bullying Week 2009 takes place 16-20 November 2009. This year's campaign is the sixth in England, and the theme is 'cyber bullying.' Anti-Bullying Week is supported by DCSF. For more information on how you can get involved in Anti-Bullying Week 2009 visit http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/

3. NCB's mission is to advance the well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives.  As a membership and infrastructure support agency for the children's sector in England and Northern Ireland, NCB provides essential information on policy, research and best practice for our members and the members of our wide range of partnership bodies, which operate under our charitable status and are based in our London headquarters. For further information visit http://www.ncb.org.uk/

For further information on ABA and Anti-Bullying Week 2009 please contact:

Anna Tombs, ABA Communications Officer

 

0207 843 6045

atombs@ncb.org.uk

media@ncb.org.uk