Parents need to be educated on bullying prevention

Fine Gael Senator Deirdre Clune would like to welcome the additional 20,000 euro which is being made available by the Department of Education for the ‘Anti-Bullying Parent Training Programme’ for parents. This follows a previous investment of 40,000 into this initiative.

This programme is run by the National Parents’ Councils (Primary and Post-Primary) and it provides vital training for parents to help them cope with the traumatic issue of bullying.

The classes are designed to support parents if they wish to learn more about tackling bullying.

The sessions will also bring clarity to inform parents on the new Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary schools which were published by the Department of Education and Skills in September.

For example, each school must have an anti bullying policy, this move is something I campaigned for and it is crucial for dealing with issues relating to bullying.

When it comes to bullying, it is extremely difficult for a parent to know the best way to handle the situation, whether your child is suspected of being a bully or is a victim of bullying themselves.

It is vital that parents are armed with the facts and knowledge which the National Parents’ Council is providing in these classes.

This education will minimise confusion on best practice and ways to proceed, it will hopefully provide parents with the tools to help their children and also to spot warning signs.

Due to the large level of demand, the National Parents’ Council has increased the number of training classes provided from 70 training sessions to 115.

I am delighted that there has been a strong interest from parents who obviously recognise the important part they play in bullying prevention and the safe guarding of our children.

The Minister has also stated that the National Parents Council is developing an information leaflet on and offline for parents who attend the training sessions.

For more information on the Anti-Bullying Procedures for schools are available on the Department’s website: http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/Anti-Bullying-Procedures-for-Primary-and-Post-Primary-Schools.pdf