Mr. Damian White:

I thank the Chairman for the invitation to address the committee on this important issue. While all schools are now obliged to have an anti-bullying policy, it requires serious and continuous attention to ensure that school personnel are aware of the ever-increasing catalogue of ways in which bullying can occur, particularly cyberbullying. Where once the victim had the sanctuary of home at least when bullying might have occurred at school or elsewhere, now they are only a click away from those causing their discomfort and stress at any time, day or, particularly, night.

Research by the Dublin City University, DCU, National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre reveals that cyberbullying incidents have soared in number during lockdown. Research has also shown the severe impact of bullying on the victim, their friends and family, those who witness the bullying, and even on the perpetrator. Mental health issues can result, including social isolation, stress, anxiety, depression, and even psychotic episodes and suicide. Physically, heart disease and other serious illness may be the consequences of bullying.

While we usually think of bullying at school as being between children, it can happen at every other interface between people. School leaders can be bullied by staff members or vice versa. Teachers, special needs assistants, ancillary staff and parents can be victims or perpetrators like anyone else. If unchecked, it can have a devastating effect on the well-being of those involved and on school morale in general.

The IPPN suggests a number of measures that will help to reduce the likelihood of bullying and its many consequences. More support is required for school leaders and boards with HR and the development of an appropriate dignity at work policy to ensure everyone can attend school free of potential bullying situations. Updated resources and continuing professional development, CPD, must be available on cyberbullying, racist bullying and homophobic, transphobic and gender-based bullying. A stand-alone policy to counter racism should be in every school and templates must be developed to support schools with this. As part of a centrally-approved and updated anti-bullying programme, emotional counselling and therapeutic supports for victims and perpetrators, and appropriate CPD would benefit all schools. A fully trained staff member is required in each school, with allocated time as a behaviour support teacher, to provide support and guidance, and to liaise with external agencies.

Through our IPPN leadership support service, since September 2017, we have advised on 25 cases of bullying among children and 29 adult workplace grievance procedure-type cases. Many of the school cases do not arrive on our desks. School leaders are often left to deal with staff bullying problems, which should be the remit of the board or even the management body. Research carried out for the IPPN and the NAPD by Dr. Philip Riley shows that school principals experience nearly twice the incidence of threats and actual physical violence at work than other population groups, with a higher incidence rate for female principals.

To conclude, a multi-departmental approach is required to strategically explore the development of multidisciplinary teams in and around schools to focus on bullying and other emotional needs of children, and to provide support for pupils and their families who experience socio-economic inequalities that may result in bullying.