NPCp said that bullying was the single biggest issue raised on its helpline and was the subject of more than 300 calls from parents in the last school year. The council is seeking volunteers to help provide a new service for parents of children who have been subjected to bullying.

The council urges that preventative measures be taken to reduce incidences of bullying and to empower children who are being bullied to tell an adult. It says that parents should talk to their children about bullying in an age-appropriate manner, to ensure the children have clear messages before a potential bullying situation arises.
 
According to NPCp, school measures should include:

• Working with parents and children to review and renew the school anti-bullying policy;
• Building awareness in the school regarding positive behaviour and unacceptable behaviour;
• Taking responsibility as a school community for identifying and reporting incidences of bullying;
• Putting a policy and support programme in place for a child who has been the victim of bullying behaviour;
• Putting a policy and support programme in place for a child who has been exhibiting bullying behaviour.

INTO general secretary John Carr pointed out that a great deal had already been done, with anti-bullying policies and the Stay Safe programme. He added that schools needed to be resourced to further improve the situation and class sizes needed to be reduced. (Source: Irish Independent)