Education Adviser, Lucie Welch, believes that Anti-Bullying Week 2025 provides a welcome 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…

This year’s theme of Anti-Bullying Week – “The Power of Good” – reminds us that even the smallest, positive actions, whether at school, at home or in the wider community, can make a real difference to a child’s life and the world beyond.

So, why does family engagement matter?

Parents and carers are not only the first to spot if their child is struggling or being picked on, but are also their children’s first teachers – showing them how to interact with, speak to and play with others with kindness, fairness and respect. 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.

“The Power of Good” 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.

Should a situation of bullying or child-on-child abuse arise, engaging families early allows schools to develop a shared understanding of the situation and agree on strategies to support all children involved. Positive parental involvement reinforces the messages children receive at school and empowers families to help their children make safe, kind, and responsible choices.

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.

Supporting both victims and perpetrators:

A safeguarding approach to bullying and child-on-child abuse 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.

Children are not born unkind and sometimes bad habits or unkind traits need to be talked about and explored, helping children to not only understand the impact of their actions but how they can make better, kinder choices in the future.

Taking action this Anti-Bullying Week:

Anti-Bullying Week 2025 reminds us that everyone has a role to play in creating safer, kinder environments for children. Families and schools working together can harness “The Power of Good” to challenge harmful behaviour, empower children to act positively, and build resilient, compassionate communities.

For pupil workshops, staff training or a Safeguarding Audit that focuses on your safeguarding culture and how safe pupils feel, reach out to our School Support team, who would be delighted to help, just email safeguarding@servicesforeducation.co.uk.

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  About the Author

Lucie Welch – Adviser, Services For Education

Lucie Welch has worked in the field of Primary Education for the last 15 years, holding the positions of Assistant Head of School, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Attendance Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. Through working across several local authorities and within multi-academy trusts, Lucie has garnered a passion for safeguarding and supporting children and young people to enable them to thrive.

At Services For Education, Lucie is an integral part of the Safeguarding team, sharing her expertise with schools, colleges, trusts, and other educational settings across the city of Birmingham and beyond. Dedicated to improving safeguarding practices in an actionable and impactful way, Lucie works closely with settings to provide bespoke training, supports with reflection on their own practices during Safeguarding audits and always strives to contribute to a better learning environment for all children. Through delivery of statutory training for DSLs and Safer Recruitment, Lucie works with colleagues in all age ranges and is a source of expertise within these areas.

Lucie also wears other important hats within the School Support Team. Not only is she dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of students through her role in safeguarding, but she also plays a key part in the PSHE/RSE and Health for Life teams. Additionally, Lucie partners with the Best Practice Network to deliver the Early Career Framework, supporting new teachers in their professional development.