A new anti-bullying service for Scotland

We are somewhat sad to report that the Anti-Bullying Network has been mothballed but we look forward to "Better Futures".

The Scottish Executive, in its wisdom, wanted the focus on bullying to move beyond schools to the wider community and, after a tendering system, they have given the task (and five years of funding) to Better Futures, a joint bid from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Scotland and the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

Better Futures will aim to drive up awareness of the problem of bullying throughout the whole community and will help all organisations working with young people to develop effective anti-bullying policies.

Key points of the new service are:
- A new toolkit to help organisations develop anti-bullying policies
- Training for organisations on implementation of their policies
- National assessment of anti-bullying policies and strategies, and
- Sharing of best practice and anti-bullying resources

As part of its community remit, the new service will target mobile phone and Internet bullying.

Better Futures will not provide help and/or advice to individuals but you can get this via Childline Scotland's dedicated Bullying Helpline on 0899 441111