Q&A With ISM's Risk Manager

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Source Newsletter for Business and Operations Header Image

Business and Operations//

October 24, 2013

Q: Do you have an outline for Bullying & Misconduct training?

A: You’re in luck! We have written many articles and done numerous presentations on this topic. It’s always a hot topic as bullying evolves and increases, hence becoming more and more threatening to both the school’s liability and the student’s overall mental and physical safety.

Here is a look at information from two of our presentation slides, which I hope will provide you with answers.

Bullying

Use multilevel training:

School Level

  • Establish core protocols
  • Stakeholder communication

Individual Level (discuss with & train)

  • Faculty and staff
  • Student
  • Parent

Classroom Level

  • Posters
  • Discussions
  • Role plays

Community-wide Level

  • Educate ALL as to what constitutes bullying
  • Educate ALL to the effects of bullying on both parties
  • Create your reporting process
  • Identify “targets & hot spots”; create intervention plan ASAP if needed
  • Consider reducing “alone“ places (stairwells, line-of-sight for playgrounds and parking areas)
  • Appropriate teacher: student ratios
  • Penalties/consequences of bullying

Misconduct:

CHECK

  • Criminal background checks on all employees, volunteers,and vendors

TRAIN all employees on

  • Defining terms
  • Mandatory reporting regulations
  • Recognizing signs of "abuse"

TRAIN all students & parents on

  • What is/is not acceptable
  • Expectations of them and of the school

PUBLISH

  • Specific protocols—adult/child, child/child

CREATE a climate where

  • Children and adults feel safe
  • Abusers don’t and can’t hide
  • All feel comfortable coming forward
  • Promote a Culture of Respect and Dignity
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