European Social Fund in England

Ground breaking approach to bullying

A groundbreaking project to combat bullying and the consequent disaffection and social exclusion it causes among young people has provided some highly encouraging results in County Durham.

Entitled 'Combating Bullying for Social Inclusion', the project received £489,409 ESF funding together with Co-financing from County Durham Local Education Authority.

Due to last from September 2001 to December 2003, the lifespan of the project - which, at the end of December had seen 4,318 beneficiaries - has been extended to May 2004.

A number of target groups were identified including bullies, their victims and people negatively affected by bullying.

Project Coordinator Val McFarlane said, "Work undertaken in County Durham has shown that bullying and peer discrimination or victimisation is a major cause of disaffection amongst the 13-16 age group, impacting on attendance, attainment and social skills.

"This project has established for the first time ever, a comprehensive anti-bullying provision in the county for this age group. It has included mechanisms for disseminating good practice and lessons learnt using ESF and, as a high profile activity, has received extensive media coverage."

The project has seen ten full-time equivalent staff working in 36 comprehensive and three special schools across the County.

A multi-agency initiative, it has involved a core partnership with the Educational Welfare Service, the Educational Psychology Service, County Durham Connexions and Behaviour Support Service.

"The project has also supported the achievement of a range or softer outcomes such as confidence, attitude and social and inter-personal skills which specific measures have been put in place to record," added Val.