First off let me apologise if this is inappropriate or not meant to be posted but i need some help and advice on one of my corporals. I’m A Sergeant and i’ve had some complaints about one of my two corporals. These have been some pretty bad cases of targeting, bullying, spreading lies and getting cadets against each other on purpose, shouting at cadets and bitching about them because they don’t like them and finally she thinks she has control over everyone including me. Examples of this are ordering cadets not to do what i’ve asked them to do just because she thinks she knows best. Now usually i’d go to my CO or staff about this but the CO is their parent so i can’t. They turn a blind eye to it. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks SGT Lee.
Your options are limited. Keep a written record of it. Escalate it to a WO or alternatively another member of staff who may have some influence over the OC.
Failing that, see if you can find out who your Wing Staff Officer is and make contact with them.
Failing that, look to move units if practical.
Good luck.
[quote]Dlee97 wrote:
Now usually i’d go to my CO or staff about this but the CO is their parent so i can’t. They turn a blind eye to it[/quote]
If this is genuinely the case, your OC is in breach of the ACO anti-bullying policy, if there are genuine cases of bullying going on.
[quote]Foreword to ACP4 wrote:
Anti-Bullying Policy
-
“Children have the right to protection from all forms of violence (physical or mental). They must be kept safe from harm and they must be given proper care by those looking after them”1 The ACO is committed to this ethos and seeks to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the prevention of all forms of bullying among members. To this end the ACO has a zero-tolerance to bullying by any of its members (adults and cadets) and all ACO activities should have in place rigorous anti-bullying strategies. To this end, the ACO will:
• recognise its duty of care and responsibility to safeguard all members from harm
• promote and implement this anti-bullying policy in addition to our safeguarding policy and procedures
• seek to ensure that bullying behaviour is not accepted or condoned
• require all members of the ACO to be given information about, and sign up to, this policy
• take action to investigate and respond to any alleged incidents of bullying
• encourage and facilitate children and young people to play an active part in further developing and adopting a code of conduct to address bullying
• ensure that all members of the ACO are given access to information and guidance on the prevention of bullying. -
Each member of staff and cadet will:
• respect every child’s need for, and rights to, participate in ACO activities where safety, security, praise, recognition and opportunity for taking responsibility are available
• respect the feelings and views of others
• recognise that everyone is important and that our differences make each of us special which should be valued
• show appreciation to others by acknowledging individual qualities, contributions and progress
• be committed to the early identification of bullying, and take prompt individual and collective action to deal with it
• report incidents of bullying they see – by doing nothing you are condoning bullying.
- Bullying.
• all forms of bullying will be addressed
• everyone in the ACO has a responsibility to work together to stop bullying
• bullying can include online as well as offline behaviour
children with a disability, from ethnic minorities, young people who are gay or lesbian, or those with learning difficulties are more vulnerable to this form of abuse and are more likely to be targeted.
- Support to the child.
• children should know who will listen to them and provide support
• potential barriers to talking (including those associated with a child’s disability or impairment) need to be identified and addressed at the outset to enable children to approach adults for help and children should have access to Helpline numbers
• anyone who reports an incident of bullying will be listened to carefully and be supported
• any reported incident of bullying will be investigated objectively and will involve listening carefully to all those involved
• children being bullied will be supported and assistance given to uphold their right to participate in ACO activities and live in a safe environment which allows their healthy development
• those who bully will be supported and encouraged to stop bullying
- Support to parents/carers.
• parents/carers should be advised on the ACO’s anti-bullying policy and practice
• any incident of bullying will be discussed with the child’s parents/carers
• parents/carers will be consulted on action to be taken (for both victim and bully) and agreements made as to what action should be taken
• support should be offered to the parents/carers including information on other agencies or support lines.
[/quote]
[quote]Plt Off Prune wrote:
Your options are limited. Keep a written record of it. Escalate it to a WO or alternatively another member of staff who may have some influence over the OC.
Failing that, see if you can find out who your Wing Staff Officer is and make contact with them.
Failing that, look to move units if practical.[/quote]
I would agree with the first 2 suggestions, but not the last. Bullying is something that needs to be stamped out - as is nepotism. Escalate through your staff CoC, keep records, but if - after a reasonable amount of time the issue has not been addressed, escalate to your WSO.
This issue is complicated if you are a Staff Cadet. If you are over 18 you have a duty of care to cadets under 18 (if they are the ones being bullied), and - under safeguarding - you have the ability to go outside your CoC to address such matters …and genuine cases of bullying are indeed safeguarding matters, as they can lead to other problems.
ACP4 is your friend.
Cheers
BTI
PS) One of the cadets being bullied, and/or their parents, can also complain directly to the OC of course. The ACO anti-bullying policy requires your OC to consult parents in cases of bullying, and to agree action to deal with it.