Foster carers can benefit from the wealth of information that is generated during Anti-Bullying Week. It’s important to have an understanding of the complexity of this subject and the many forms bullying – aided by technology – can now take. An annual campaign is a timely and important way of focusing attention on the subject. It is important, however, for Foster carers to be continually vigilant as children and young people can fall victim at any time. 

In surveys conducted by the anti-bullying organization ‘Ditch the Label, important facts about bullying have been highlighted: in one survey twenty percent of students reported they frequently experienced verbal bullying; twenty-four percent were concerned about receiving online abuse; five percent reported being constantly physically bullied. And as a consequence of bullying, thirty-seven percent developed social anxiety and thirty-six percent developed depression. Fifty-nine percent said attitudes to their appearance had resulted in bullying; forty-six percent gave the reason as being connected to their interests and hobbies; twenty-five percent because of the clothes they wore; twenty-four percent being labeled gay or lesbian when this was not the case.

Other facts about bullying.

• Sixty-two percent of students reported being bullied by a classmate.
• Those who identify as LGBT+ are more likely to be victims of bullying.
• Males are more likely to bully.
• Fifty-eight percent of those bullying every day had experienced the death of a relative.
• Thirty-five percent of students admitted to sending a screenshot of a person’s status to provoke ridicule in a group chat.
• People who bully are highly likely to have experienced recent stress or trauma themselves.
• Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed admitted to online behaviour that was abusive to another person.
• In the last 12 months (2019), twenty-six percent of students said they had been experiencing cyberbullying.
• Forty-four percent of those aged under twenty-five held the opinion that ‘real life’ means ‘only events that happen offline’

One of the most disturbing findings to emerge was the high prevalence – 69% – of people engaging in online abusive behaviour. That such a high proportion of individuals are capable of bullying indicates the scale of the problem. It is also worth noting that people may have a different perception of what constitutes bullying in the cyber world as distinct from the real world.   

Foster carers should be aware that bullying is a learned behaviour and not an identity. Foster children are not necessarily victims of bullying – the reverse can be true. This can be understood in the context of the survey’s findings that stressful and traumatic experiences can trigger bullying behaviour. This makes it important for foster carers to keep a watchful eye on how those they care for are behaving.

*statistics from Ditch the Label research.

What next.

Foster carers can find out more about this subject as well as lend their support to this year’s #AntiBullyingWeek campaign by visiting the #OneKindWord hashtag on the main social media platforms. This is the overarching theme for this year to encourage us all to be mindful of the need for kindness – the antidote to bullying.   

Foster care with Rainbow.

To get your fostering journey underway, call us on 0330 311 2845. Most people are eligible to foster. Firstly, you must be over 21 years of age and have a spare room. Fostering can be highly rewarding but can also be challenging. Visiting our website will give you a lot of information about what fostering involves. Please call one of our highly experienced recruitment consultants who will take the time to chat with you in a friendly and informal way about the job of a foster carer. 

More information about fostering is also available at – https://www.fostertalk.org

As a Rainbow foster carer, your earnings could be between £1.5k and £3k a month. We need applicants from #London #Birmingham #Manchester #Hampshire  As well as looking for people interested in general fostering, we are keen to recruit in the following areas:

• foster care for teenagers.
• foster care for sibling groups.
• foster carers to support Parent and Child placements.
• foster carers to provide therapeutic support.

Covid restrictions are constantly being reassessed. Please check for the latest government advice and guidance in order to keep you and your family safe – https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/coronavirus And for an interesting blog on another foster care subject visit – http://rainbowfostering.co.uk/foster-care-means-accepting-the-idea-that-risk-can-be-positive/

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