How many anti-bullying services are operational in schools; how many pupils utilise these services, and how much they cost to fund.

The Scottish Executive made a recommendation in Better Behaviour – Better Learning (2001) that schools should involve pupils in buddying and mentoring schemes, which can help to combat bullying. We are aware that this recommendation is being implemented in many schools across Scotland. In addition, the national pilot of restorative practices in schools is involving pupils in the pilot schools in activities such as peer mediation.
However, there is no national formal data on the numbers of anti-bullying services in Scottish schools, or on how many pupils use their school’s anti-bullying support. The Scottish Executive does not directly fund anti-bullying services in schools, although education authorities receive £10 million a year to implement the recommendations of Better Behaviour – Better Learning.
In addition, the Scottish Executive has funded a national Anti-Bullying Network since 1999. In 2004 the Scottish Executive commissioned a national needs assessment exercise which gained the views of professionals, pupils and parents on their need for anti-bullying activity. The evidence has been used to develop a new specification for a national anti-bullying programme that will take a strong apro-active role in developing the role of professionals in all children’sservices in preventing bullying and responding effectively when it occurs.