10/06/09 - Forum Sets Out to Free Swindon of Bullies

An open forum is being held in Swindon in a bid to confront the issue of bullying in local schools.

There will be a meeting on Monday 22 June at the Civic Offices, Euclid Street, to discuss if there is anything more that could be done to tackle the problem.

Representatives from the Swindon Youth Forum, schools and colleges, school governors, community and voluntary organisations that support children and young people, health professionals, the police, elected members and council officers are all welcome to attend the meeting, which takes place between 5pm and 8pm.

The forum is part of a borough-wide review being carried out by the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Members of the committee are keen to bring a wide range of professionals and organisations to get together to discuss the problem.

The 2008 Ofsted ‘TellUs’ survey found that:

• 29% of pupils in Swindon schools worry about being bullied;
• 41% had been bullied at least once in the last year;
• 24% had been bullied at least once travelling to or from school.

Evidence shows that bullying has a destructive and harmful impact on the lives of children and young people, not only those being bullied but also on those who bully and those who stand by.

The forum will be opened by Gavin Jones, Chief Executive of Swindon Borough Council.

Barbara Parry, chair of the open forum and a member of the Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: "As Member Champion for the Bullying Review I have been saddened to hear about the massive impact that bullying can have on the lives of children and young people both now and into adulthood. The Forum aims to bring all organisations together who have the power to influence change for our children to do even more to raise awareness of this issue and take positive action to beat bullying."

The event will include several speakers, including the South West Anti-Bullying Alliance. There will also be a role play performed by young people from a local secondary school to demonstrate the impact of bullying.

For more information, contact Emma Powell on epowell@swindon.gov.uk or (01793) 463412.