This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding for bullying helpline
21/10/2003
Extra funding will enable ChildLine Scotland's Bullying Line to open seven days a week, it was announced today.
Speaking at the relaunch of the Bullying Line, Deputy Education Minister Euan Robson said the £66,000 funding would allow the charity to support more young people who are being bullied or who are bullying others.
Mr Robson said:
"Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and must be addressed quickly whenever it arises. We are committed to helping schools and education authorities develop effective approaches to tackle bullying, including an anti-bullying policy.
"But when a child is being bullied it's vital that they don't suffer in silence - by speaking out they can drastically reduce the bully's power. When a child does not feel able to talk to a parent or teacher, then helpline can prove invaluable - talking to someone at ChildLine can be the first step to addressing the problem.
"That's why we have increased our support for this valuable service which will enable the helpline to operate at weekends and provide counselling to youngsters who are being bullied."
ChildLine Scotland's Counselling Manager Alison Todd said:
"One in four children spoken to by ChildLine Scotland counsellors talk about bullying. The Bullying Line is extremely busy so we are delighted that the Scottish Executive is helping us extend this vital service.
"Callers will often phone at weekends to express concern at having to go back to school - and back to being bullied - on the Monday morning. Sometimes they have experienced a hard week and want to talk about it too. The expansion of the dedicated Bullying Line will mean they get through to a counsellor much quicker and will take us closer to our target of answering every call from every child.
"While some schools deal very well with bullying we have found that many children and young people feel their schools are not doing enough to tackle the issue. Around 50 per cent of children who mention their school during a call feel more could be done. Bullying is an issue in all schools and it's vital that the whole school - including the pupils - are actively involved in tackling it."
The Scottish Executive is providing up to £66,363 to fund the Bullying Line in 2003-04 and up to £65,044 in 2004-05. The Executive contribution for 2002-03 was £39,000.
The Bullying Line (0800 44 1111) is open Monday to Friday from 3.30-10pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 2-8pm. At all other times children should phone ChildLine's 24 hour UK-wide service, free on 0800 1111.
ChildLine Scotland receives around 6000 calls a year about bullying. Cards and posters informing children and young people about the Bullying Line will be sent to every Scottish school. All P7 and S1 pupils will receive a card with details of the helpline numbers as ChildLine Scotland's research shows the transition from primary to secondary is the time when children are most vulnerable to bullying.
The Bullying Line opened in January 1997, with private funding, following a successful pilot scheme in Tayside. The government provides top-up funding for the service and the Bullying Line is now maintained with financial support from local authorities, various trusts and corporate sponsorship.
ChildLine Scotland's training and outreach workers visit schools and run workshops to help children address the problem. They also help schools set up mentoring and peer support programmes which research shows can be effective in reducing bullying.