For immediate release
BLAIR BULLIES ANTI-BULLYING ALLIANCE
George Robinson and Barbara Maines, successful practitioners in helping schools to combat bullying, resigned their membership and walked out of a meeting of the Anti-Bullying Alliance in London today (Monday 6 February). It had been made clear that their contracts as regional co-ordinators for the Alliance in the south-west of England would not be renewed. This was as a result of direct intervention by the Prime Minister's office because of their advocacy of the Support Group method to bullying.
This approach favours non-punitive methods to stop bullying in schools. Individuals take responsibility for their actions in a group structure and although controversial, it has proved successful across the world.
The ABA’s action was taken despite positive, independent evaluation of Barbara and George’s work and indications to them throughout last year that their contracts would therefore be renewed. They were told that implicit threats had been made by the Prime Minister's office to Paul Ennals, chief executive of the National Children's Bureau, the agent of the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA).
He reported to the ABA that he had received repeated telephone calls, both at work and at home implying that if he renewed the contracts, the current funding from the Department of Education and Skills (DfES) of over £0.5m would not continue
George Robinson and Barbara Maines have been successful regional co-ordinators for 18 months and members of the Alliance since it began in 2002. “Our membership of the ABA is no longer possible,“ said Barbara. “We have witnessed an indefensible level of bullying, manipulation and intervention, from the highest level in Government directed towards an independent organisation. How can we accept a situation where public policy is being determined to suit the current Prime Minister’s obsession with punishment for any situation, whatever the circumstances?
Barbara added: “Not only is a democratic right at stake, but even more crucially, such actions are wholly irresponsible as they might undermine the confidence that professionals have established in using a wide range of effective measures to change behaviour and protect young people.”
Despite their complete support for Barbara and George’s position and all their previous work, the ABA was forced to accept Paul Ennals’ decision as members felt that this was the only practical way of protecting both future funding and the the work of the ABA itself.
George Robinson had also been a member of the ABA Advisory Group, its governing body, and was told that the Prime Minister was directly involved in the decision and that once he had made his position clear, everyone had to support it.
“But at what cost? “ said George. “And on what evidence is the Prime Minister making his judgements? Right up until last month, the DfES guidelines to schools in England fully endorsed a range of strategies, including the support group method. No one has seen any evidence to suggest that this should change.”
In 2002, the DfES issued an anti-bullying pack for schools – Bullying, Don’t Suffer in Silence – which was based on current legislation, recent research and relevant experience. Independent evaluation of the pack with schools showed that it was commended for maintaining awareness of the issue, and for providing a range of strategies for tackling bullying.
"The available evidence suggests that the Support Group method has had some success,” said Professor Peter Smith, Goldsmiths College, University of London and author of the independent evaluation.
“My real concern however is that there does not appear to be enough substantial research which can either support or condemn any of the main anti-bullying strategies. This is a major barrier to moving on all the arguments about the benefits of one strategy to another".
Barbara Maines and George Robinson agree that more research is needed. “We are pleased to be meeting Professor Al Aynsley Green, the Children’s Commissioner for England soon,” said Barbara.
“He is treating bullying as one of his key priorities. He knows of our work and in a recent publication comments on the possible dangers of using punishment to intervene effectively when bullying happens. For example, in the case of a student called Jo, her school took firm action, but this only displaced the bullying. In Jo’s view it is empathy that changed the behaviour of the young person bullying her”.
“We will be discussing with the Commissioner the need for a full evaluation of the current strategies used in schools,“ said Barbara Maines. “We hope that independent research to establish what works and what doesn’t work, will prove conclusively that the support group method is successful and should be used with confidence to combat bullying in our schools.”
ends
Contact: Juliet Upton, Lucky Duck Publishing
T: +44 (0)7811 440918 or email: juliet.upton@sagepub.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
- The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) was founded by NSPCC and National Children’s Bureau in 2002. It brings together 65 organisations from the voluntary, public and private sector to work together to reduce bullying and create safer environments for children and young people. ABA is based at the National Children’s Bureau. For more information, visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.
- The Children’s Commissioner published a short report in November 2005 – Journeys – Children and Young People talking about Bullying. This is available at: http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org/journeys.htm
TOP
|
