Creating Safe, Supportive Environments for Children and Young People

Anti-Bullying Week 2026 takes place from 16 to 20 November 2026, providing an important opportunity for professionals working across health, social care, early years, residential childcare, education and community services to reflect on how they can help create safe, inclusive environments where children and young people feel valued, respected and heard.

For those working in care and support roles, tackling bullying is not just about responding to incidents. It is about recognising the signs early, promoting positive relationships and ensuring every child or young person knows where to turn for help.

Why Bullying Matters

Bullying can have a significant impact on a child’s emotional wellbeing, confidence, mental health and ability to engage in education, employment and social activities. It can affect self-esteem, create feelings of isolation and, in some cases, have long-term consequences that continue into adulthood.

Bullying can take many forms, including:

  • Physical bullying
  • Verbal abuse and name-calling
  • Social exclusion
  • Discrimination-based bullying
  • Cyberbullying through social media, messaging apps and online gaming platforms

While some forms of bullying may be visible, others can be much harder to identify. Children and young people may not always disclose what they are experiencing, making it essential that professionals remain vigilant to changes in behaviour, attendance, mood or engagement.

The Role of Care Professionals

Whether you are a residential childcare practitioner, support worker, healthcare assistant, learning mentor, early years practitioner or youth worker, you play a crucial role in helping children and young people feel safe.

You can support by:

Listening and Taking Concerns Seriously

Children and young people need to know that adults will listen without judgement. Create opportunities for open conversations and reassure them that they will be supported.

Recognising the Signs

Potential indicators of bullying may include:

  • Withdrawal from friends or activities
  • Increased anxiety or distress
  • Changes in behaviour or mood
  • Reluctance to attend school, college or activities
  • Unexplained injuries or damaged belongings
  • Changes in online behaviour

Promoting Inclusion

Encourage respectful communication, celebrate diversity and challenge discriminatory language or behaviours whenever they occur. Small daily actions help create a culture where bullying is less likely to thrive.

Supporting Digital Safety

Many children and young people spend significant time online. Understanding cyberbullying and discussing safe online behaviours can help them recognise risks and know how to seek support if something goes wrong.

Why Not Recognise Anti-Bullying Week in Your Setting?

Anti-Bullying Week provides an excellent opportunity for Early Years care settings, schools, residential childcare homes, youth services and community organisations to raise awareness and start meaningful conversations with children and young people about respect, kindness and inclusion.

By recognising the week in your setting, you can help children and young people:

  • Understand what bullying is and how it affects others.
  • Recognise the difference between conflict and bullying.
  • Learn how to report concerns safely.
  • Identify trusted adults who can support them.
  • Develop empathy, resilience and respect for others.
  • Build confidence to challenge bullying behaviours.

Activities could include awareness sessions, group discussions, assemblies, themed workshops, poster campaigns, learner pledges, wellbeing activities or online safety sessions. Even small activities can help reinforce positive messages and create lasting impact.

Creating a Positive Culture

The most effective approach to bullying prevention is proactive rather than reactive.

Care professionals can help create positive environments by:

  • Modelling respectful behaviour.
  • Encouraging peer support.
  • Building confidence and resilience.
  • Celebrating individuality and diversity.
  • Providing safe spaces for discussion.
  • Following safeguarding procedures consistently.
  • Challenging inappropriate language and behaviours promptly.

When children and young people feel valued and connected, they are more likely to speak up about concerns and seek help when they need it.

Useful Resources

The NSPCC provides a range of guidance and resources to help professionals understand and respond to bullying and cyberbullying:

These resources offer practical advice, safeguarding guidance and tools to support professionals working with children and young people.

Final Thoughts

Every child and young person deserves to feel safe, respected and included. As professionals working in care, support and education settings, we have a responsibility to create environments where bullying is not tolerated and where individuals feel confident seeking help when they need it.

This Anti-Bullying Week (16-20 November 2026), take the opportunity to raise awareness within your setting, encourage open conversations and promote a culture of kindness and respect. The actions we take today can make a lasting difference to the wellbeing, confidence and future success of the children and young people we support.

Together, we can help create safe spaces where everyone can thrive.