Why?

Hull took part in the Bright Spots programme in 2021-22. The findings showed that four in ten (41%) children in care in the 8-11yrs age-group were afraid to go to school (all or some of the time) due to bullying. ​

What?

Hull, in partnership with their children in care council, picked five top areas to respond to immediately after the survey results. One of the themes in the initial phase is: supporting children who feel afraid to go to school due to bullying. ​

​To make sure everyone has a chance to listen to and reflect on the Bright Spots findings Hull developed a 1.5 hour session for workers across the services. ​

Alongside learning more about how children are feeling, a big focus in the sessions is to create space for workers to reflect on how the findings make them feel. ​

Each worker is asked to make a pledge of things they can do in response to the findings on how Hull’s children are feeling. Seven sessions have been run and over 450 workers have taken part. ​

Following the sessions posters have been created and are displayed in offices (e.g. next to tea & coffee area). The A3 posters focus on ‘you said’ and ‘we will do’. ​

Hull actions to support children in care in relation to bullying include making sure designated leads in schools prioritise asking about fear of bullying as well as commitments to stop doing things that can embarrass children in care and single them out as different.

Impact

Hull have disseminated the findings across their services in team meetings and events. They have created a ‘words and pictures film’ which includes messages from social workers about what they are going to do in response to the Bright Spots findings. The film has been shown to the children in care council and a letter sent to all children in care to tell them about next steps after the Bright Spots findings.​​

​Hull are committed to creating lots of different opportunities for children in care and care leavers to share how they are feeling and time and space for all those who support children to listen & respond. ​

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I will make sure all teachers are aware when dealing with situations of bullying to have an individiual approach, not a one size fits all… 

Virtual school Headteacher