Crying for Help - a No Blame Approach

George Robinson & Barbara Maines

Lucky Duck Publishing

English

English

Using empathy, student led, no punishment or retribution, effective, improves self esteem, the past is the past,

Book

Teachers, School Directors.

Over 100 pages

This approach works on how people feel rather than who has done what to whom. It is divided into seven stages and starts with talking to the victim and establishing how they feel rather than creating a list of what has happened to them. This is then followed with a meeting of the people involved. The group will include children suspected of carrying out the bullying, reliable and supportive students, plus those who stood by and watched. The problem is then explained to the group and their help is enlisted to solve the problem. The facilitator explains that nobody is in trouble or going to be punished, that there is a joint responsibility to help the student who is being victimised and that they are there to come up with solutions to the problem. Ideas and suggestions will then usually come from the group that they can action. The final stage is to meet with each of the individuals in the group to see how things have been going.

This approach works on the premise that punishment just leads to further bullying. What the victims always want is an end to the bullying. They do not wany retribution and they are not entitled to revenge. The No Bullying Approach does not answer all of the questions but does add a very practical method to the adult's repertoire of techniques for combating bullying.

The No Blame Approach takes a problem solving approach. It does not mean that bullies are treated softly. Victims are always given support. The action is clear, firm and cohesive. It is a long term effective approach.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crying-Help-Blame-Approach-Bullying/dp/1873942869/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299081379&sr=1-1

Wilsthorpe Community School