KNOWSLEY is to train hundreds of children to act as counsellors to
school bullying victims.
Pupils as young as 10 will undergo training courses as part of a
crack-down in the borough.
The scheme has been put through its paces at three schools in the
area. Education chiefs are so delighted with results they are to
expand it to every primary and secondary.
Knowsley council's children's services manager Wendy Middlemass
said the child counselling team was one of a number of weapons
being used in the battle against the bullies.
She said: "It's been very, very successful. Children as young as 10
are working as mediators and it has made a real difference in the
schools where it has been introduced.
"The peer mentor project has been particularly successful at
reducing conflict at lunchtimes."
All the schools involved in the scheme have set up lunchtime
sessions where troubled children can pop in for a chat with someone
of their own age.
It has helped some youngsters build confidence by finding new
friends. And it has helped stopped bullying before it starts by
tackling minor rows early.
The plan was launched in 2003. Schools throughout the borough will
be informed of its success at the start of term before a full
report is released in October.
Mrs Middlemass said other successful schemes like Circle of Friends
and building a friendship bench had also enjoyed success.
Both plans are designed to help lonely and vulnerable children pal
up with their peers.
Mrs Middlemass said she was very excited about the launch of Bully
Busters and hoped to use statistics compiled from calls to help
design new projects for the future.
She said: "I'll be interested in getting hold of the data just to
see how much bullying is going unreported to schools.
"Our surveys of children have not brought bullying up as a major
issue for most of our young people.
"I don't think it's actually on the increase. But I do think
there's a much greater awareness of the issue and much less
tolerance of bullying generally."
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