What can you expect from the school?

Bullying is a complex problem. There is often no ready-made solution. As a parent, you expect the school to take the problem seriously, to listen to both you and your child, and to take action against the bullying. Most schools have a bullying policy or anti-bullying protocol describing what a school must do in a bullying situation. A school may not simply stand by without doing anything; it must monitor the situation, determine any necessary actions, and has a duty to inform and involve the parents in the situation.

What obligations does the school have regarding bullying?

Schools are obliged to create a safe environment for all pupils. This safe environment ensures that children can develop properly. This means that a pupil can be themselves, does not have to be afraid, and feels safe. Bullying creates an unsafe situation. Therefore, the school is obliged to address bullying behaviour. The school must comply with these rules:

  1. There is a clear point of contact for parents and pupils.
  2. Someone is responsible for the anti-bullying policy. At most schools, this is not the same person as the point of contact for bullying.
  3. In its safety policy, the school describes how it combats bullying.

Point of contact for bullying for parents and pupils

The school's point of contact for bullying supports you and your child. Together, you map out the situation and consider which actions can be taken to resolve the bullying situation. The school employee may also refer and guide you to other employees within or outside the school.

Anti-bullying policy coordinator

The school must ensure that someone is responsible for the anti-bullying policy. This anti-bullying policy coordinator has insight into pupils' experience of safety, complaints and incidents within the school, and possible safety risks. With this knowledge, the anti-bullying coordinator advises on the school's policy.

Anti-bullying protocol: mandatory or not?

Although schools are not obliged to have an anti-bullying protocol, fortunately most schools do have one. This anti-bullying protocol states the following:

  • How a school must act when bullying occurs. This concerns not only combating bullying, but also preventing it.
  • How bullying behaviour can be recognised.
  • Who parents can turn to if their child is being bullied and which steps the school must take in this regard.
  • Some schools have a separate protocol for addressing and preventing online bullying (cyberbullying).