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Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying

The Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying, developed by Ireland’s Department of Education, is a comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering safe, inclusive school environments where all children feel valued and protected.

Key Principles of the Cineáltas Plan

The Cineáltas plan is rooted in four essential principles:

  1. Prevention – Teaching empathy and respect to prevent bullying.
  2. Support – Providing schools with resources to support students at various levels of need.
  3. Oversight – Ensuring strong, visible leadership to foster a safe school environment.
  4. Community – Building connected, inclusive school communities.

What Does the Plan Involve?

The strategy includes 61 specific actions designed to address and prevent bullying in schools, categorized under four main focus areas: Culture and Environment, Curriculum (Teaching and Learning), Policy and Planning, and Relationships and Partnerships. Here’s how each area translates into action:

  1. Culture and Environment
    Schools are encouraged to create welcoming environments where every child feels safe and included. Actions include developing a School Culture and Values Declaration, known as the Cineáltas Charter, which promotes values like kindness and respect. Schools can also work toward a recognition award, such as a Cineáltas flag, to acknowledge their commitment to anti-bullying efforts.For primary schools, particularly larger ones, the plan supports setting up Student Support Teams to address and prevent bullying. Staff training focuses on ethical values, such as care and trust, which are vital in building respectful student-staff relationships.
  2. Curriculum (Teaching and Learning)
    This area emphasizes teaching materials that foster understanding, empathy, and resilience. The curriculum will include age-appropriate lessons on relationships, bullying prevention, and safe online behavior, aiming to help children recognize and respond to bullying, both in-person and online. Resources like the FUSE Anti-Bullying and Online Safety Programme, developed by DCU’s Anti-Bullying Centre, are promoted to educate students about online bullying, including cyberbullying.For parents, the plan supports accessible training resources to assist in understanding and addressing online risks. Updated training will also be available for teachers and school leaders to enhance their ability to prevent and address bullying.
  3. Policy and Planning
    To provide clear and consistent policies across schools, the anti-bullying procedures are updated to address specific types of bullying, such as those based on race, gender, and online interactions. Schools are required to create accessible anti-bullying policies, which will be regularly reviewed to ensure compliance and effectiveness. Schools must report instances of bullying anonymously, which will be recorded in a national database for ongoing monitoring and evaluation.The Department of Education collaborates with the Online Safety Commissioner and other agencies to support policies that address digital risks. Additionally, this focus area includes professional development for boards of management, ensuring school policies are both preventive and responsive to bullying.
  4. Relationships and Partnerships
    Building strong partnerships among students, families, and school staff is central to the Cineáltas plan. Schools are encouraged to establish student councils, reflecting the diversity of the school, and to create opportunities for meaningful student participation in decision-making. Schools may also form clusters with nearby institutions to share anti-bullying initiatives and effective practices.An updated tacklebullying.ie website will provide accessible resources for children, parents, and educators, including best practices and information on available supports. Additionally, schools will have greater access to NEPS psychologists and may participate in pilot programs to provide primary students with counseling.

Measuring Success and Reporting

The success of the Cineáltas plan will be measured through various means, including:

  • Student councils reflecting the diversity of school communities.
  • Annual reports based on student, parent, and staff feedback on how schools prevent and handle bullying.
  • Professional development for school staff to strengthen their skills in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Data collection from schools on bullying incidents to assess trends and effective responses.

An Implementation and Evaluation Group will oversee the plan’s progress and publish annual reports, allowing adjustments to the strategy based on feedback from the school community and ongoing research.

How Parents Can Get Involved

The Cineáltas plan highlights the importance of parental involvement. Here are some ways parents can engage:

  • Stay Informed: Familiarize yourself with your school’s Cineáltas Charter and anti-bullying policy.
  • Participate in Training: Take advantage of accessible training on handling online risks and bullying prevention to support your child.
  • Provide Feedback: Participate in surveys or focus groups to offer insights into your child’s school experience.
  • Encourage Conversations: Talk to your child about empathy, respect, and safe online behavior, reinforcing the values emphasized in Cineáltas.

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