Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education whether any recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of anti-bullying programmes in reducing mental health problems among school-age children.
Minister of Education: While my Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of addressingbullying programmes in terms of the direct impact on mental health outcomes, there is ongoing evidence from delivery and engagement with schools that current approaches are contributing positively to pupil wellbeing.
The Education Authority’s Addressing Bullying in Schools Implementation Team (ABSIT) provides advice, guidance and training to schools to address bullyingtype behaviour, recognising the clear link between bullying and children’s emotional wellbeing. ABSIT’s work promotes early intervention, prevention and supportive responses, which are widely recognised as key factors in reducing the escalation of issues that can negatively impact mental health.
ABSIT’s offering to schools includes:
foundational training to equip all school staff with the skills to respond consistently and appropriately to concerns, supporting early identification and intervention;
leadership training to support school leaders to embed wholeschool approaches that prioritise safety, wellbeing and inclusion; and
targeted advice in complex cases to ensure that responses are aligned with safeguarding requirements and reflect trauma informed practice, helping to reduce potential longerterm impacts on pupils’ wellbeing.
Feedback from schools indicates increased staff confidence, more consistent responses to bullying concerns and improved school environments, all of which contribute to supporting pupils’ emotional health and wellbeing.
While work continues to strengthen the evidence base, the Department will continue to support schools through ABSIT and wider wellbeing initiatives to ensure that approaches to addressing bullying are aligned with promoting positive mental health outcomes for all children and young people.
ENDS
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