Getting Help

Finding out your child is being bullied can be difficult and stressful. Supporting them can be challenging, as you go through your own feelings of fear, anger, sympathy and protection.

The first step to stop your child’s bullying is for them to tell someone. If they have told you, then they have taken an enormous step and will need support and encouragement to tell others. It is important to listen supportively at first, without offering opinions or judgement. When your child is ready, help to stop the bullying.

You can help prevent your child being bullied by bringing the issue up with a teacher, or head teacher. Schools should have a policy in place to address bullying behaviour and you can ask for a copy of this.

If you find out that your child is a bully it can be deeply shocking and cause many difficult feelings. However, it can often be the opportunity to help your child and change whatever is causing their behaviour.

Try and work together with the school and resolve the issues in a positive way.

The YoungMinds Parents' Helpline can help you with any concerns about bullying.

Read a YoungMinds leaflet for parents about bullying (PDF).