AQW 10030/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to identify an anti-bullying lead in all schools to coordinate anti-bullying policy.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 12 April 2024
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 12 April 2024
- Answer due by
- 29 April 2024
- Answered
- 19 April 20247 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Department funds the Addressing Bullying in Schools Implementation Team (ABSIT) within the Education Authority (EA). ABSIT support schools to implement the Addressing Bullying in Schools (Northern Ireland) Act 2016 (the Act).
ABSIT training provides for leadership roles within a school to coordinate the school’s addressing bullying policy and the team deliver a Level 3 training programme. Pastoral leaders from 147 schools including 120 post primary schools, 20 primary and seven special schools have completed this training to date. 110 school governors attended face to face training delivered by ABSIT from September 2023 - March 2024. All Board of Governors have access to online training which outlines their statutory role in overseeing the implementation of the Act.