My son’s been getting bullied for over a year

[chrissie941]

My son is 9 yo and our family have been going through a tough time and on top of that he’s been getting bullied in school and out of school and on numerous occasions I’ve witnessed some of the children verbally abuse him and even pushed him into a wall. I’ve spoken to school and our social worker about it several times and nothing seems to be getting done. He’s recently told his counsellor that he’s had thoughts of self harming because of it and still nothing is getting done. How can I help my son?

And:
https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/bullying

Good luck xx

Tbh I would ask for a note from Gp … and tell school he is to unwell to attend .

I would also get a copy of the complaints procedure…. Follow it … people often shout report to Ofsted .. you are jumping steps and they don’t care .. put your complaint in writing but then is part of the Ofsted assessment process .

I would then look for another school .

Thank you so much :)

Yeah his counsellor contacted the safeguarding leader and I’m really shocked that they’re not doing more to help him in school

Really sorry to hear what he's going through. This must be so hard for you all. God, it makes me so mad, i thought we moved on from the 90s (my era) where bullying was the norm and nothing was done! In this age of 'be kind' and wellbeing there is no excuse for no action being taken. I would seriously think about moving schools as it's good to teach kids too that you can remove yourself from toxic environments, there is no need to endure it and stay. Good luck, I really hope things improve for him.

Does your son want to move schools? If so, I would do it.

I'm so sorry.

Hey OP, how are things? X

Poor kid. It seems like he is being let down by all the adults who are supposed to protect him. 😔

Depending on the reason for SW involvement, you may need them on board too

My advice is to teach your son to retaliate so that kids don’t think they can do it with impunity.

If it is verbal you teach him how to go for the jugular. If it is physical he should have martial arts training to not make it easy.

follow their formal complaints procedure which should be found online on their website or via school email.

stop sending him to school, it’s not safe. Look round other schools, go on waiting lists if needed. Set up trial weeks so he can get a flavour of the schools he likes.

talk to the Gp, give him telephone numbers for children’s help lines so he can call or text when very low. Get him counselling. Do fun things with him, watch films together, fun days out, play online games with him. Start new hobbies, climbing or sailing or whatever, give him things to look forward to.

Hrlp him reach out and make contact with friends who are positive presence in his life. Prompt him to keep connections with good friends. Invite them round, encourage him to go to theirs, invite them on day trips.

I found the only thing that helped me was going to the police. They were actually fabulous. (Some of the families were known to the police it seems.)

Martial arts training is a great idea. Self defence.

Oh gosh your poor boy, bullied children makes me so sad.

I'd go to the kids parents, if you dont feel confident if you know where they live, write a letter and post it detailing what their child has done, then tell the school youve been to the parents direct they will hate that.

Id also keep going to the police and tell them. I would move schools even if it ment a school in a different area.

Or id wait for the kids and go mental at them and scare them but that would probably make things worse.