Reducing Bullying In Welsh Schools

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry;  Anxiety / Stress;  Mental Health
Article Date: 19 Mar 2009 - 7:00 PST

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Education experts are meeting in Cardiff this Friday to look at ways of reducing bullying in Welsh Schools. Bullying and declining social behaviour regularly feature in the news headlines and there are few people who work with children and young people who won't have experience of the problem. Experts meeting at the one-day conference will look at initiatives that can change values across a whole school.

These include the "Rights, Respect and Responsibility (RRR) Initiative" which was said to have improved behaviour so much at schools in Hampshire that it was described as "a quiet revolution."

Sarah Thomas said: " A whole school approach to instilling shared principles and values into the structures and practices of our schools is a recognised way forward - the UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools Award provides a successful means to achieve this. The conference aims to introduce professionals to the Award and initiate positive change."

Notes

1. Children in Wales is the national umbrella organisation for voluntary, statutory and professional organisations and individuals who work with children and young people in Wales. http://www.childreninwales.org.uk. Children in Wales was established in March 1992 and became a registered charity in 1993. It aims to promote the interests of children, to improve services in Wales and to put children high on the Welsh agenda. We work closely with our members who comprise professionals, policy makers and consumer groups to improve the lives of all children living in Wales, but especially young children, those affected by family instability, children with special needs or disabilities, and those suffering the effects of poverty and deprivation. We collect and disseminate information about children and promote good practice in children's services through research, policy and practice development, publications, conferences, seminars, training and access to an extensive library and information service. Children in Wales has offices in Cardiff and Caernarfon.

2. The conference "A Quiet Revolution", will take place on 20th March 2009, at the Park Thistle Hotel in Cardiff. Key note speakers include:

- Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills
- Dr Emily Lovegrove, Specialist in Anti Bullying Techniques
- Edward Waller, Head of Education, UNICEF UK
- Ian Massey, County Inspector for Intercultural Education, Hampshire County Council
- Janet Hook, Team Leader - Behaviour Management Development, Rochdale MBC
- Professor Ken Reid, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Swansea Metropolitan University

Source
Children in Wales