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“A really informative course, the trainer was very engaging.”

Talia, High Peak School, Kedleston Group

Course Summary

Bullying and peer-on-peer abuse are significant safeguarding concerns that require more than just a "zero-tolerance" policy. This course is designed specifically for those working with children and young people under 16, providing a clear framework to distinguish between normal social conflict and harmful, predatory, or abusive behaviours as defined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Participants will examine the modern landscape of abuse, including how digital platforms and social media facilitate harm. We look closely at the "why" behind the behaviour—exploring how trauma, attachment issues, and unmet needs can lead a child to harm their peers. By the end of the day, you will feel confident in your ability to spot the "hidden" indicators of abuse and follow the correct statutory reporting pathways.

Meeting Statutory Standards for KCSIE and Social Care Teams

  • Statutory Compliance: Ensure your setting meets the latest requirements for managing peer-on-peer abuse, including sexual violence and sexual harassment between children.
  • Trauma-Informed Expertise: Learn to respond to disclosures with empathy while maintaining strict safeguarding protocols in line with local authority thresholds.
  • Proactive Prevention: Identify "hotspots" in your environment, such as unsupervised spaces or online groups, to reduce risk before incidents occur.
  • The Four A’s Model: Gain a practical tool to help children who exhibit harmful behaviour recognise their actions and commit to genuine change.
  • Inter-Agency Working: Understand your role within the wider safeguarding system, ensuring seamless recording and escalation as per Working Together.
  • Targeted Support: Develop safety plans that offer real protection and emotional recovery for vulnerable children.

Course Learning Outcomes

Review the learning objectives below. Expand each aim to view the detailed criteria this course covers.

1Understand the nature, features and dynamics of bullying and peer‐on‐peer abuse.
  • 1.1Define bullying and peer‐on‐peer abuse, including the role of power imbalance and intent.
  • 1.2Distinguish bullying from conflict, banter, and one‐off harmful incidents.
  • 1.3Identify behaviours that may overlap with peer‐on‐peer abuse (e.g., coercion, control, exploitation, harmful sexual behaviour).
  • 1.4Challenge myths and misconceptions about bullying and peer‐on‐peer abuse.
  • 1.5Describe common motivations behind bullying and abusive peer behaviour, including status, control, fear, and unmet needs.
  • 1.6Identify characteristics, identities, or vulnerabilities that may be targeted.
2Understand why bullying and peer‐on‐peer abuse occur, and factors that increase vulnerability.
  • 2.1Explain individual, relational, and environmental factors that contribute to bullying and peer‐on‐peer abuse.
  • 2.2Describe how trauma, attachment difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and unmet needs can influence harmful peer behaviour.
  • 2.3Identify factors that increase vulnerability, including disability, neurodivergence, communication differences, identity‐based prejudice, and social isolation.
  • 2.4Explain how peer group dynamics, coercion, and fear of exclusion can escalate harmful behaviour.
  • 2.5Describe how organisational culture, supervision, and staff responses can increase or reduce risk.
3Understand the forms, methods and contexts in which bullying and peer‐on‐peer abuse occur.
  • 3.1Describe different types of bullying (verbal, physical, relational, indirect, cyberbullying) and how they link to wider peer‐on‐peer abuse.
  • 3.2Identify behaviours that may indicate exploitation, coercion, harmful sexual behaviour, or online‐facilitated abuse.
  • 3.3Describe peer‐on‐peer abuse within friendships, groups, gangs, and online communities.
  • 3.4Explain how digital platforms, messaging apps, gaming environments, and social media can facilitate bullying and abuse.
  • 3.5Identify environments and situations that increase risk, including unsupervised spaces, unstructured time, and online anonymity.
  • 3.6Distinguish between isolated harmful incidents, patterns of bullying, and escalating abusive behaviour.
4Understand effective responses, interventions and support for children affected by bullying and peer‐on‐peer abuse
  • 4.1Describe appropriate, trauma‐informed responses to allegations or disclosures of bullying or peer‐on‐peer abuse.
  • 4.2Identify indicators that a child may be experiencing bullying or abusive peer behaviour.
  • 4.3Explain the physical, emotional, psychological, and social impact of bullying and peer‐on‐peer abuse.
  • 4.4Describe influencing factors for children who bully or harm peers, and approaches to working with them.
  • 4.5Explain the importance of clear rules, boundaries, supervision, and consistent expectations.
  • 4.6Describe ways to support children who have been bullied or harmed, including safety planning and emotional support.
  • 4.7Confirm the importance of zero‐tolerance, safeguarding escalation, reporting, and recording requirements.
  • 4.8Identify proactive and preventative approaches, including culture‐building, digital literacy, and staff modelling.
  • 4.9Explain how the Four A’s Model supports children to recognise and change harmful behaviour.

Who is this course for?

This anti-bullying and peer-on-peer abuse training is essential for residential care workers, and youth practitioners, teaching assistants and teachers working with children under 16. It is specifically designed for those at Level 3 who hold responsibility for safeguarding and child welfare within education or social care environments.

Duration

1 day course - we can be flexible on start and finish times to suit your needs such as school run friendly times.

Availability

This Bullying training is offered in two delivery formats:

  • Remote Online: Led by a live tutor via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, allowing participants to join remotely. (Also known as virtual classroom training)
  • Face-to-Face: Delivered in person at your location or a venue you arrange. (Also referred to as on-site training)

View a comparison of Remote and in-person face to face training .
Complete our quick enquiry form for a price and available dates.

Certification

Each learner completing this course will receive a digital (PDF) certificate of learning.

Accreditation

The course contents are accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) Credit4Learning as a Level 3 course.

Remote or Face to Face

Choose the learning environment that works best for you: our expert-led training is offered in two convenient formats - remote tutor led online or in person face to face.

Compare Remote with Face to Face

1 Day Course

Flexible start and finish times to suit you. Contact us for available dates.

Accredited

The course contents are accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) Credit4Learning as a Level 3 course.

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Course FAQs

Does this training cover the latest KCSIE updates regarding peer-on-peer abuse?

Yes. The course is fully updated to reflect the latest 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' (KCSIE) guidance, specifically focusing on how schools and colleges must handle peer-on-peer abuse, sexual harassment, and online safety.

How does this course benefit our social care team in relation to 'Working Together'?

It provides a clear framework for inter-agency working. By using the 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' principles, your team will understand how to assess peer abuse within the context of local safeguarding arrangements and thresholds for intervention.

We already have an anti-bullying policy; is this training still necessary?

Yes. A policy is only as good as the staff implementing it. This course goes beyond paperwork, teaching staff the trauma-informed skills to identify exploitation and coercive control that general policies often miss.

Does this anti-bullying training cover online bullying and cyber-abuse?

Absolutely. We look at how messaging apps, gaming environments, and social media can facilitate abuse, and provide staff with the digital literacy needed to support children in an increasingly online world.

How will this training help us meet inspection standards (like Ofsted)?

Inspectors look for evidence that staff are proactive and knowledgeable about peer-on-peer abuse (child-on-child). This Level 3 course demonstrates a commitment to high-level safeguarding and provides your team with the tools to prove they are effectively managing and reducing risk.
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