AQW 28886/22-27
Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford
Tabled Date: 18/06/2025
Answered On Date: 26/06/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to outline if there is an obligation for schools to create anti-bullying policies that specifically address sectarian bullying behaviour.
Answer:
The Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (the Act), requires schools to record incidents of bullying type behaviour, their motivation, methods used and their outcome. It requires all schools to have an Anti-Bullying policy and preventative measures which are kept under regular review. The legislation provides guidance on exemplar motivations to inform the school assessment and recording process. This list reflects Section 75 groups including those who may be targeted due to their religious belief or political opinion. Capturing potential motivation for reported bullying type behaviour is important to enable identification of school specific issues, patterns and trends, such as sectarian bullying type behaviour. In this data informed context, staff are better placed to address need appropriately with tailored pastoral, safeguarding and curricular interventions. The Addressing Bullying in Schools Implementation Team (ABSIT) within the Education Authority provides support for schools, educational settings, young people and parents/carers to help them understand the requirements of the Act. ABSIT focuses on supporting the development of inclusive school based systemic approach to empower staff in effective prevention and response to bullying type behaviour. The team provides bespoke support with complex incidents of bullying type behaviour to aid inclusion, including sectarian bullying type behaviour. ABSIT is a member of the Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland (SBNI) and Anti Bullying Alliance which are umbrella organisations comprising broad representation from third sector bodies, many of whom address the needs of Section 75 communities. ABSIT provides advice and support to schools on concerns of bullying type behaviour and, following a schools collaboration programme, has co-developed three tiers of updated training and resources aimed at effectively preventing and responding to reported concerns in line with legislation and guidance. Tier 1 Training: Online session for all staff working in schools. Tier 2: Leadership training and support for school-identified staff. Tier 3: School based training-Targeted advice for key staff working with complex cases ABSIT has provided support and tailored advice for 327 cases from April 2024 to March 2025. ABSIT have confirmed that in two cases the motivation for the bullying type behaviour was religion/sectarian (0.6%). ABSIT has co-developed resources for use with children and young people. This has included support for children, young people, and their families in line with the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016; advice for parents, carers and pupils regarding how bullying type behaviour is identified and supported in schools; and assistance with recognising signs that a pupil could be experiencing bullying type behaviour and signposting to further support.
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