Anti-Bullying Policy

Geek.Zone will:  

*Recognise its duty of care and responsibility to safeguard all participants from harm. 
*Promote and implement this anti-bullying policy to ensure that bullying behaviour is not accepted or condoned.  
*Require all members of Geek.Zone to be given information about, and sign up to, this policy.  
*Take action to investigate and respond to any alleged incidents of bullying.  
*Encourage and facilitate members to play an active part in developing and adopting a code of conduct to address bullying.
*Ensure that coaches are given access to information, guidance and/or training on bullying. 
Each participant, coach, volunteer or official will:  

*Respect every individual’s need for, and rights to, a positive environment where safety, security, positivity, recognition and opportunity for taking responsibility are available.
*Respect the feelings and views of others.
*Recognise that everyone is important and that our differences make each of us special and should be valued.  
*Show appreciation of others by acknowledging individual qualities, contributions and progress.  
*Be committed to the early identification of bullying, and prompt and collective action to deal with it.
*Ensure safety by having rules and practices carefully explained and displayed for all to see.  
*Report incidents of bullying they see – by doing nothing you are condoning bullying. 
*All forms of bullying will be addressed  
*Everybody in the organisation/club has a responsibility to work together to stop bullying  
*Bullying can include online as well as offline behaviour  bullying can include: – physical pushing, kicking, hitting, pinching etc. – name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, persistent teasing and emotional torment through ridicule, humiliation or the continual ignoring of individuals – posting of derogatory or abusive comments, videos or images on social network sites – racial taunts, graffiti, gestures, sectarianism. https://thecpsu.org.uk/resource-library/2013/sample-anti-bullying-policy/ 

The further will not be tolerated:

*Sexual comments, suggestions or behaviour – unwanted physical contact with a vulnerable person of any age, from ethnic minorities, individuals who are LGBT+, or those with learning difficulties are more vulnerable to this form of abuse and are more likely to be targeted. Harassment or stalking on online devices.
*Isolating an individual purposefully.  
*Preventing members from disclosing an issue of bullying or safeguarding.
*Potential barriers to talking (including those associated with a disability or impairment) need to be identified and addressed at the outset to enable members to approach the Safeguarding Officer for help.  

Procedures:

*Members should have access to Helpline numbers.  
*Anyone who reports an incident of bullying will be listened to carefully and be supported.  
*Any reported incident of bullying will be investigated objectively and will involve listening carefully to all those involved appropriately.  
*Children being bullied will be supported and assistance given to uphold their right to play and live in a safe environment which allows their healthy development.  
*Those who bully will be supported and encouraged to stop bullying.  
*Sanctions for those bullying others that involve long periods of isolation, or which diminish and make individuals look or feel foolish in front of others, will be avoided. 
*Support to members carer should be advised on the Geek.Zones bullying policy and practice.  
*Any incident of bullying will be discussed with the members involved. 
*People involved will be consulted on action to be taken (for both victim and bully) and agreements made as to what action should be taken with the Trustees.  
*Information and advice on coping with bullying will be made available.  
*Support should be offered to the members including information on other agencies or support lines.