Bullied children find friends close to home

Dec 4 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

HUNDREDS of victims of playground bullies are to be given assertiveness training pioneered by a national charity.

Staff of Durham County Council’s Anti-Bullying Service are teaming up with Kidscape for the first time to help children in the region.

Vulnerable children throughout the UK currently have to go to Kidscape in London to take part in a one-day Zap programme, which gives them a “toolbox” of ways to deal with bullying, including confidence building, verbal assertiveness and body language techniques. Now, in a pilot project, children from County Durham will be the first in the country to receive similar training closer to home. Staff of the Anti-Bullying Service will be trained to work with selected pupils from January.

Acting team manager for County Durham Anti-Bullying Service Tom Cunningham said: “After taking part in Zap, young people should have more ways to deal with conflict, have enhanced self-esteem and be more active in their school and wider community.

“Around 80% of those who have taken part say they no longer get bullied.

“Groups of around 20 young people from different schools will benefit from the training. The first sessions will involve Year 6 youngsters in the final year at junior school before moving on to secondary school. We envisage training sessions each half term, which would mean around 100 children per year would benefit.

“Zap has been tried and tested by Kidscape, but until now only a small number of children have been able to take part as it has involved travelling to London.

“Now we can provide the training here in County Durham to help young people learn new ways of dealing with bullying and keeping safe.” Mr Cunningham said youngsters thought to be vulnerable would be nominated by school staff, but their peers would not be told they were on the courses.

“Only one youngster from each school will be selected, which reduces the chances of schoolmates finding out that little Johnny has been on a course. The sessions are intended to build self esteem and self confidence among young people who may be lacking in those qualities.”

Linda Frost, of Kidscape, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with such a positive and forward-looking local authority as Durham and we are sure our partnership with Tom Cunningham’s team will be an example of excellent practice that many other areas of the country will wish to follow.”