Birmingham education expert advises parents and carers on how to spot tell-tale signs of bullying as Anti-Bullying Week returns (10 to 14 November 2025)…

Parents and carers can be the first to spot if their child is being bullied if they look for tell-tale signs, a leading Birmingham educationalist has said.

Recent data shows that around one in four children in the UK experience frequent face-to-face bullying and about 35% have experienced in-person bullying at some point. Online bullying is also a significant issue, with approximately 19% of children aged 10-15 experiencing it*.

Lucie Welch, Education Adviser at Birmingham charity Services For Education said: “Parents and carers are in a unique position to spot bullying – even if that bullying is going on away from the home or online in children’s bedrooms. They are the first line of defence.”

Her comments come at the start of Anti-Bullying Week 2025 that has the theme of ‘The Power of Good’ to show that even the smallest, positive action, whether at school, at home or in the wider community, can make a real difference to a child’s life.

“Parents and carers can be the first to spot if their child is struggling or being picked on, but they are also their children’s ‘first teachers’. Showing children how to engage with, speak to and play with others with kindness, fairness and respect can help everyone. Lots of children will already have a good understanding of these traits before starting school, so teachers and educators can continue to build on these foundations,” said Lucie, a former assistant head at a primary school, and a member of Services For Education’s safeguarding team.

“This year’s Anti-Bullying Campaign encourages everyone to take positive steps – which for parents, might mean modelling respectful behaviour, having open conversations about kindness and empathy or supporting children with conflict resolution. These small actions, consistently applied, contribute to a culture where bullying is less likely to thrive,” said Lucie.

“A safeguarding approach to bullying and child-on-child abuse also recognises that children who bully may themselves need support. Working with families to address underlying issues, which could be related to stress, self-esteem or trauma, helps prevent further harm and promotes long-term positive behaviour,” she said.

Lucie believes that parents should work closely with their child’s school should they suspect any incidents of bullying, whether in the classroom or outside school. Having open conversations with children also helps – enabling parents to detect if there any issues that are troubling their children.

“Parents and carers should look out for changes in a child’s behaviour, mood swings, anxiety, unexplained injuries, or a sudden reluctance to attend school. Children that may be subjected to bullying might also experience a declining performance at school, changes in eating or sleeping habits, and avoiding social situations. Open, calm communication with mums, dads and grandparents is often key to discovering what’s happening,” said Lucie.

Anti-Bullying Week 2025 runs 10^th to 14^th November and provides an opportunity for schools and families to reflect on the role parents and carers play in keeping children safe from bullying and child-on-child abuse.

A blog on the subject by Lucie Welch appears at https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/blog

*Year ending March 2023 (source: ONS 2024)

ENDS

Additional information

Lucie Welch suggests these practical steps for parents and schools:

1. Open communication: Schools should inform parents promptly when bullying is suspected or confirmed. Explaining the school’s safeguarding procedures ensures families feel included and empowered to help. This includes both the victim and perpetrator of the bullying, so there is a holistic view and support available for all involved.

2. Guidance and support: Schools should be proactive in providing parents and families with practical strategies to address bullying at home, including encouraging children to express feelings safely, discussing online safety, and reinforcing positive behaviour. These can be shared via the school website or newsletter. The constant drip-feed approach can help to embed key messages and get everyone on the same page.

3. Collaborative action: Working together, schools and families can set realistic goals for behaviour change. This partnership approach ensures children understand expectations and feel supported in making better choices. By including everyone, children and families feel empowered to find solutions and resolve situations, rather than feel ‘done to’.

4. Support for the whole family: Families of children who display harmful behaviour may also need guidance. Schools can share details of charities and organisations who offer advice, guidance or support, for example The Anti-bullying Alliance or Bullies Out.

5. Celebrate Positivity: Both schools and families should be vigilant for and recognise positive actions, however small, and give children praise. Reinforcing kind, respectful or empathetic behaviour helps children see the impact of their choices and encourages them to continue acting with kindness and respect.

Pictured: Lucie Welch, Education Adviser, Services For Education

About Services For Education:

An education and training charity based in Birmingham, Services For Education brings music and learning to life. Services For Education employs more than 200 staff delivering music tuition to children, and expert training and development to teaching and school support staff. It has annual income of £7.1m (2023/2024). Part-funded by the Arts Council, England it also has its own fundraising and subsidised commercial operations.

• Services For Education’s Music Service, one of the largest in the country, works with 98% of Birmingham schools and each year teaches music to nearly 32,000 children – as well as running 113 free ensembles. It provides 27,000 musical instruments free-of-charge so all children have access to playing and enjoying music together and its Youth Proms at Symphony Hall give 4,000 young musicians the opportunity to perform to an audience of more than 10,000. It also runs music schools, has a world music department, provides private music tuition to all ages as well as working with partners to deliver music and choral opportunities to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Its award-winning Online Music Educational Resource was completed and launched free to schools in 2021 to appeal to a young IT-connected audience attracted to learning online and to complement traditional tuition.
• Services For Education’s School Support Service provides expert training and development to teaching and support staff in nearly 600 schools in the West Midlands and increasingly across England, to improve practice and ensure teachers are best equipped to respond to developments in curriculum and policy. As a leading provider of safeguarding education, Services For Education works with 400 schools delivering training in-person and on-line. It also delivers innovative programmes to support the physical and emotional health of children and young people through Health for Life and other community-based activity. servicesforeducation.co.uk

About Anti-Bullying Week 2025

The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) is the official organiser of Anti-Bullying Week in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Anti-Bullying Week 2025 will take place from Monday 10th – Friday 14th November, with the theme: Power for Good.

The theme of Power for Good has come about following consultation with teachers and pupils by the Anti-Bullying Alliance which coordinates Anti-Bullying Week every year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Teachers and children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.

Following the success of the campaign in 2024 – when over 80% of schools marked the week, reaching over 7.5 million children and young people – this year, the campaign is designed to empower children and young people to use their Power for Good to speak out, support others, and build a world where kindness wins.

For further information on Services For Education and interview opportunities:

David Clarke, Clarke Associates, (Public and media relations, Services For Education)
E: david-c@clarke-associates.co.uk;
M: 07808 735255

Issued on behalf of:

Services For Education
Unit 3 Holt Court
Holt Street
Birmingham Science Park
Aston
Birmingham B7 4AX