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<p>The Government is clear that bullying should never be tolerated, and the Department
is committed to supporting schools to tackle it. The Department provides advice for
schools outlining schools’ responsibilities. The ‘Preventing bullying’ guidance makes
clear that schools should make appropriate provision for a bullied child's social,
emotional, and mental health needs. The guidance is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying</a>.</p><p>The
Department knows that gender is a complex and sensitive issue. The Department is working
with my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Women and Equalities, to develop guidance
to support schools in relation to gender questioning pupils. A draft for consultation
will be published later in the summer term.</p><p>The Department is providing over
£2 million of funding between 10 August 2021 and 31 March 2023 to five anti-bullying
organisations to support schools to tackle bullying. This includes projects targeting
bullying of particular groups, such as those who are victims of hate related bullying
and homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying.</p><p>The Department is also ensuring
that all pupils in England are taught content on respectful relationships, in person
and online, as part of new mandatory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE).
These subjects are designed to give pupils the knowledge they need to lead happy,
safe, and healthy lives and to foster respect for other people and difference.</p><p>All
schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy that outlines measures to encourage
good behaviour and prevent all forms of bullying amongst pupils. The policy should
set out the behaviour expected of pupils, the sanctions that will be imposed for misbehaviour,
and rewards for good behaviour. This should be communicated to all pupils, school
staff, and parents. This is supported by ‘Respectful School Communities’, a self review
and signposting tool to support schools to develop a whole school approach which promotes
respect and discipline. This tool can combat bullying, harassment, and prejudice of
any kind, including hate based bullying, and is available at: <a href="https://educateagainsthate.com/resources/respectful-school-communities-self-review-signposting-tool-2/"
target="_blank">https://educateagainsthate.com/resources/respectful-school-communities-self-review-signposting-tool-2/</a>.</p><p>
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