Current 5 October 16
Contents
Background 4
Local Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence 5
Purpose of Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence 5
Membership of Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence 6
Formation of Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence 7
Terms of Reference 7
Developing a Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence Action Plan 10
Further information 11
Appendix 1: Queensland Schools Declaration Against Bullying and Violence 12
Appendix 2: Local Declaration template 13
Appendix 3: Sample letter to principals for preliminary meeting of Community Alliance 14
Appendix 4: Sample letter for formation meeting of Community Alliance 15
Appendix 5: Optional template for Community Alliance Action Plan 16
Current 5 October 16
Background
In February 2010, the Queensland Premier Anna Bligh MP and Minister for Education and Training Geoff Wilson MP announced the formation of the Queensland Schools Alliance Against Violence (QSAAV). The purpose of QSAAV is to explore best practice measures to address bullying and violence in schools and provide advice to Government on future actions focused on supporting schools to respond to issues of bullying and violence.
QSAAV included representatives from the state, Catholic and independent schooling sectors, industrial organisations, principal associations and parent groups. In undertaking its work, QSAAV acknowledged the innovation and commitment of Queensland schools in promoting positive behaviour and providing safe environments for learning. QSAAV also acknowledged that promoting positive behaviour and safe environments for learning requires a community response beyond the school gates.
In July 2010, all members of QSAAV agreed to sign the Queensland Schools Declaration Against Bullying and Violence (see Appendix 1). The Declaration is a public statement of commitment to preventing bullying and violence. The Declaration articulates four commitments:
Local Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence
Bullying and violence in our schools are complex challenges for our school communities. To prevent violence and bullying in schools, there is a need for collective responsibility and action. Schools, young people, community groups, government, churches, local businesses, the media and local law enforcement agencies all have a role to play.
All schools and their communities are encouraged to form local Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence with representatives from all educational sectors and other relevant local organisations. A Community Alliance is one way for local communities to make a public commitment to working together to prevent bullying and violence in their schools – similar to the systemic commitment made through the Queensland Schools Declaration Against Bullying and Violence. The template for a local declaration provided in Appendix 2 can be adapted by local Community Alliances to make their own public statement of their commitment.
Local Community Alliances may take a variety of models. In some cases, there may be existing structures within communities that would be willing and able to add the issue of bullying and violence to their agenda, such as a regular meeting of school principals or parent groups within the community. In other communities, it might be more appropriate to form a new group focused solely on the issues of bullying and violence. Principals may take a leadership role in facilitating the formation of a Community Alliance, but equally, parents or other school community members can take a facilitating role.
Purpose of Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence
Local Community Alliances aim to facilitate cooperative work across schooling sectors and other key stakeholders to address bullying and violence in school communities. The purpose of a Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence is:
· to raise awareness and understanding of effective anti-bullying and anti-violence strategies in schools
· to improve local schools’ responses to bullying and violence through sharing of resources and strategies
· to monitor and review trends or patterns of bullying and violence across schools in the local area.
Membership of Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence
The membership of a Community Alliance may be as varied as the communities they represent. It is recommended that representation includes all schools in the local community – state, Catholic and independent.
For each school in a Community Alliance, it is suggested representation from the following groups are considered:
· principals
· school staff (e.g. teacher aides, administration, grounds people)
· parents
· industrial organisations
· students.
Research shows that engagement of young people is important in the development of effective strategies to respond to bullying and violence. Working Together: A toolkit for effective school based action against bullying provides materials to assist schools with the student engagement process. Some Community Alliances may also wish to engage with local youth services.
A Community Alliance may also invite local representatives from:
· government departments such as Queensland Police Service, Department of Communities or Queensland Health
· non-government organisations such as sporting groups and community groups
· local government
· commercial entities such as internet services providers, local businesses, entertainment venues and shopping centres
· local church/religious groups.
Formation of Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence
How a local Community Alliance is formed will be dependent upon the model a community chooses. If an existing structure is used then the process may be as simple as amending the terms of reference of the group or passing a motion at a meeting that responding to bullying and violence forms part of the work of the group. Below are some steps that may assist small groups or individuals within a community in the early stages of formation of a local Community Alliance.
1. Identify all schools within the local community
2. Set a preliminary formation meeting date for principals and send invitations to all school principals – state, Catholic and independent (Sample letter in Appendix 3)
3. Facilitate the principals’ meeting to discuss perceived support for the formation of a local Community Alliance and potential membership (including the position of chair)
4. Set a formation meeting date for the Community Alliance and send invitations to school staff, parent and other representatives as determined (Sample letter in Appendix 4)
5. Distribute draft of Terms of Reference to those indicating an interest in participating
6. Discuss and finalise the Terms of Reference at the first full meeting facilitated by the chairperson, highlighting local areas of concern to be addressed
7. Determine actions using the Terms of Reference to guide further meetings.
8. Develop an Action Plan for the Community Alliance (see Appendix 5)
Terms of Reference
Upon formation of a Community Alliance it is recommended members discuss and finalise their Terms of Reference. A sample Terms of Reference template has been provided on the following page to assist with the development, but Community Alliances are encouraged to adapt this as required to suit local needs.
If an existing committee or community consultation structure is to be used to undertake the cross-sectoral collaborative work it may be appropriate to consider the group’s existing terms of reference or constitution and amend it to include bullying and violence explicitly if necessary.
Current 5 October 16
Sample insert name> Community Alliance Against Bullying and ViolenceTERMS OF REFERENCE
The <insert name> Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence
The insert name Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence explores effective strategies to prevent, manage and respond to issues bullying and violence in schools the insert local area name area. The Community Alliance encompasses the following schools/geographic area:
· xx
· xx
· xx
The Terms of Reference for the insert name> Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence are:
· to endorse and promote the <insert name> Declaration Against Bullying and Violence (see Appendix 2)
· to collaborate cross-sectorally to ensure a cohesive and whole of community response to, bullying and violence in schools
· to explore evidence-based best practice locally, nationally and internationally to develop a planned approach for local implementation
· to provide advice to school communities within the Community Alliance regarding a coordinated approach to prevent and respond to bullying and violence
· to provide advice to school communities within the local Community Alliance regarding a coordinated approach to addressing professional development needs of school staff
· to provide advice to school communities within the local Community Alliance regarding a coordinated approach to engaging with parents, the community and other key stakeholders.
Membership
Members of the <insert name> Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence include representatives of:
· schools’ names
· relevant principal associations
· relevant parent representative groups
· relevant industrial organisations
· student representatives
· relevant youth advocacy or agency group
· Indigenous representative.
Expert Guests
The <insert name> Community Alliance may invite experts on specific topics to participate as required. This may include locally recognised academics in a range of fields, practitioners or other parties as determined by the Community Alliance members.
The Community Alliance will also seek advice from other Government departments such as Queensland Police Service and the Department of Communities (Child Safety Services) as required.
Chair
Options include either:
· Appoint an independent chair for the local Community Alliance, as nominated by members
or
· Appoint a rotating chair (for example between principals and parents)
Sub-committees
The <insert name> Community Alliance can form other topic specific sub-committees as required, for example a student sub-committee or a committee to oversee implementation of specific actions.
Meeting Schedule
The <local name> Community Alliance will meet according to the schedule determined by chair and members. Meetings will be:
· date
· date
· date
Current 5 October 16
Developing a Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence Action Plan
Once a Community Alliance is formed it is recommended members investigate existing local strengths, issues and opportunities. The following strategies may assist Community Alliance members to explore and plan their range of actions:
· identify services within the community that provide support/counselling for students
· seek and distribute up-to-date information about addressing bullying and violence
· conduct evaluations of local strategies and share the outcomes
· conduct information sessions across schools for parents about the Community Alliance and its role and potential areas for future action
· work together on students’ transitions between schools or develop a local transition plan/agreement.
The media can play an important role in promoting the proactive actions of local Community Alliances and can assist in showcasing the positive role many young people and their schools play in their community.
Where the opportunity exists, Community Alliances may be able to engage the expertise of universities to assist with scoping of issues and providing advice of effective practice for their community.
A template for an Action Plan that may be useful for local Community Alliances is provided in Appendix 5.
Further information
Further information regarding the Queensland Schools Alliance Against Violence can be found at:
http://education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/behaviour/qsaav/index.html
Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence are encouraged to explore the Working Together toolkit and other resources provide via the QSAAV website to assist with the development of their action plans. A list of audit tools designed to enable schools to assess their current approaches to bullying is provided below and may serve as a useful starting point.
Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence may also wish to sign up to the Queensland Schools Declaration Against Bullying and Violence and the international Kandersteg Declaration.
Audit tools
Friendly Schools Friendly Families physical environment audit tools
http://www.friendlyschools.com.au/survey/Sample-questions.pdf
http://www.friendlyschools.com.au/materials/whole-school/physical-environment.php#samples
http://www.friendlyschools.com.au/materials/whole-school/physical-environment.php#physical
MindMatters staff survey
http://www.mindmatters.edu.au/verve/_resources/Staff_survey_Full_version.pdf
Bullying. No Way! Key elements
http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au/resources/nssfp/Six_key_elements_to_guide_the_process.doc
The Australian Communications and Media Authority Smart Technology Audit
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Schools/Cybersafety%20policies%20and%20procedures/National%20or%20state%20and%20territory%20policies/South%20australian%20cybersafety%20policies.aspx
Declarations
Queensland Schools Declaration Against Bullying and Violence
http://education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/behaviour/qsaav/index.html
Kandersteg Declaration
http://www.kanderstegdeclaration.com/
Appendix 1: Queensland Schools Declaration Against Bullying and Violence
Appendix 2: Local Declaration template
Appendix 3: Sample letter to principals for preliminary meeting of Community Alliance
Date
Dear
Regarding: Preliminary meeting – Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence
Date:
Venue:
I/we are pleased to invite you to a preliminary planning meeting regarding the possible establishment of a Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence in our local area. The idea of a Community Alliance is to involve all relevant stakeholders in working together to find effective strategies to prevent, manage and respond to issues of bullying and violence in school communities.
The purpose of a Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence is:
· to raise awareness and understanding of effective anti-bullying and anti-violence strategies in schools
· to improve local schools’ responses to bullying and violence through sharing of resources and strategies
· to monitor and review trends or patterns of bullying and violence across schools in the local area.
Dealing with bullying and violence in our schools involves not only schools, but also community groups, government, local businesses, the media and local police. At this preliminary meeting the potential membership of a local Community Alliance, its structure and functions, and the possible terms of reference will be discussed.
Community Alliances Against Bullying and Violence are being promoted by the Queensland Government through the Queensland Schools Alliance Against Violence (QSAAV). More information about QSAAV is available at http://education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/behaviour/qsaav/index.html
I hope you will join with me/us in establishing a local Community Alliance as a way to make a public commitment to working together to prevent bullying and violence in their schools.
Yours sincerely
Appendix 4: Sample letter for formation meeting of Community Alliance
Date
Dear
Regarding: Formation meeting – Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence
Date:
Venue:
I/we are pleased to invite you to a meeting regarding the establishment of a Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence in our local area. The idea of a Community Alliance is to involve all relevant stakeholders in working together to find effective strategies to prevent, manage and respond to issues of bullying and violence in school communities.
Bullying and violence in schools are complex challenges for schools. To prevent it, there is a need for collective responsibility and action. Schools, young people, community groups, government, local businesses, the media and local police each have a role to play. To this end, schools and organisations in the <insert local area name/details> have been invited.
The purpose of a Community Alliance Against Bullying and Violence is: