What to do if your child is bullied at school

Bullying at school is a distressing experience that affects many children. If a child is bullied at school, it can impact their confidence, learning, and overall wellbeing. For parents searching for what they can do about bullying, this guide offers practical steps to support your child, work with the school, and promote kindness and inclusion in school communities.

Recognising the signs your child is bullied at school

Children may not always openly share their experiences of bullying. Look out for signs such as reluctance to go to school, school refusal, changes in mood, sudden academic decline, or social withdrawal. Early recognition helps parents intervene sooner and seek school bullying help for parents that is both supportive and effective.

What parents can do if their child is bullied

When your child talks about bullying, listen carefully without judgment. Reassure them that it is not their fault and that they have your full support. Validating their feelings builds trust and encourages open communication, which is key to tackling bullying.

Working with the school for effective bullying support

Engage proactively with your child’s teachers and school staff. Request meetings to discuss the school’s anti-bullying policy and how it applies. Collaborating closely with educators ensures your child’s safety and helps stop bullying in schools with consistent, evidence-based approaches.

Building resilience to bullying through friendship and inclusion

Encourage your child to form friendships with peers who practice kindness and empathy. Involvement in extracurricular activities helps build confidence and a sense of belonging. Teaching children simple coping strategies promotes resilience and reduces the impact of bullying.

Inclusive playground programs and the You Can Sit With Me approach

Programs like You Can Sit With Me are powerful tools to create inclusive playgrounds and classrooms where every child feels welcome. These programs provide visible signs of support and foster environments where bullying is less likely to occur because kindness and inclusion are celebrated by all students.

When to seek extra help beyond the school environment

If bullying leads to ongoing anxiety, depression, or severe school refusal, parents should consider professional support through counsellors or psychologists. Early intervention improves long-term outcomes and supports the child’s emotional recovery.

Promoting kinder school communities

No child should face bullying alone. Parents play a vital role in championing kindness and inclusion, helping schools build safe environments. Through awareness, advocacy, and programs that foster empathy, every school can become a place where children not only learn but thrive.

YOU CAN SIT WITH ME is an inclusive, evidence-based, peer-led program reducing school refusal, social isolation, bullying, exclusion and non-inclusive behaviour.

YOU CAN SIT WITH ME provides free programs for schools, sporting clubs and community groups.  

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