Anti-Bullying Policy

Anti-Bullying Policy, Including Equality-Related Incidents

Date reviewed: [date] | Approved by: [Board] | Next review due: [date]

Bullying, whether it happens during a Knuckle Down session or is reported to us as having happened elsewhere, is not tolerated. It is the responsibility of every coach, and every young person, to report a bullying incident to a Knuckle Down coach or a member of school staff.

Every young person has the right to take part in a Knuckle Down session free from intimidation of any kind.

We define bullying as repetitive, intentional behaviour that hurts one person or group, where there is an imbalance of power between those involved. This should not be confused with an ordinary one-off disagreement or falling out between young people.

1. Bullying Can Be:

Emotional — humiliating someone, excluding them, spreading rumours (true or not).
Physical — pushing, hitting, or any use of violence.
Prejudice-based — targeting someone because of a protected characteristic such as race, disability, sexuality, gender identity or religion, or because of their home circumstances.
Cyberbullying — bullying via phone, social media, messaging apps or email.
AI-enabled bullying — Knuckle Down recognises that AI tools can be misused to bully — for example, using "deepfake" images, audio or video to create a convincing hoax targeting someone. Any use of AI in this way is treated with the same seriousness as any other form of bullying under this policy.

2. Recognising the Signs

Coaches are encouraged to watch for changes in a young person's behaviour during sessions — becoming withdrawn, reluctant to take part, or a noticeable drop in how they engage — as these can sometimes indicate bullying is taking place, in or outside of Knuckle Down sessions.

3. Responding to an Incident

Because sessions are delivered inside a school, Knuckle Down works alongside the school's own pastoral and safeguarding team rather than acting alone:

A coach who witnesses or is told about bullying responds calmly and immediately during the session.
The coach records what happened as soon as possible and reports it to the school's designated staff member on the same day.
Where the incident is serious, persistent, or safeguarding-related, it is also reported to Knuckle Down's DSL, who will follow the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy alongside the school's own procedures.
Where an incident is prejudice-based or relates to a protected characteristic (disability, race, age, religion, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation), it is logged separately as an equality-related incident.
Knuckle Down does not have the authority to suspend, exclude or otherwise discipline a pupil — that responsibility, and any decision on sanctions, sits with the school.

4. Supporting Those Involved

The young person affected is reassured that it isn't their fault and is encouraged to tell a coach or school staff member if it happens again.
Where appropriate, and with the school's agreement, parents/carers are informed of the outcome by the school.
A log of all reported bullying is kept by Knuckle Down for our own sessions, alongside whatever the school separately records.

5. Preventing Bullying

Coaches set clear, positive ground rules with each group at the start of a programme.
Coaches model inclusive, respectful behaviour and actively encourage young people to look out for one another during sessions.
Young people are reminded of appropriate use of phones and social media where relevant to a programme.
Coaches deal with any incident quickly and calmly, and flag patterns of concern to the school promptly rather than waiting for them to escalate.

6. A Note for Parents/Carers

If you're concerned your child may be experiencing bullying connected to a Knuckle Down session, please raise it with the school in the first instance, or contact Knuckle Down directly at info@knuckledown.com. Every report is taken seriously.