A GROUP of county councillors is forging ahead with plans to examine and discuss bullying in Worcestershire.

The county's Bullying Scrutiny Task Group will focus on bullying in Worcestershire at Key Stage Three, Key Stage Four and Sixth Form level - 11 to 18-years-old.

The group aims to, over the coming months, review the current arrangements for dealing with bullying and make suggestions for improvements by:

  • Investigating the current arrangements for identifying, reporting, preventing and dealing with all forms of bullying in Worcestershire schools and other County Council venues where children or young people meet or are educated.
  • Identifying the true scale of bullying in Worcestershire.
  • Highlighting successful areas of best practice both locally and nationally so that these can be shared with all schools and other venues.
  • Determining whether the council's anti-bullying strategy is helpful to schools and other venues.
  • Making recommendations for how the council can improve the situation in Worcestershire schools and other venues.

Councillor Jo Hodges, who is leading the task group, said: "Our investigations are still very much in the initial stages.

"While we have decided to concentrate on the Key Stage Three, Key Stage Four and Sixth Form age range, this does not mean we are minimising the problem at the younger age range, but we feel much good work is already being developed there and we may return to it at a later date to examine the progress.

"Bullying is a widespread problem that can affect people not just at school, but also in the workplace.

"It is a matter we take very seriously and our work over the coming months will further ensure it will continue to not be tolerated in all of our venues throughout Worcestershire."

County councillors Mary Drinkwater, Penelope Morgan, Fran Orborski, Sean Shannon and Clive Smith are also on the task group.