Young people from across Aberdeenshire have been praised for their efforts in developing a new anti-bullying policy.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Youth Commission developed #Bullyingcorr to raise awareness of and tackle bullying.
The 20 commissioners attended regular meetings and workshops to develop the proposals and guidance, working closely with the council and other organisations such as NHS Grampian.
Yesterday, members of the education, learning and leisure committee unanimously approved the guidelines to help primary and secondary schools better manage and record bullying.
Councillor Ron McKail asked how the project would be measured and was advised that incidents of bullying in schools would be recorded and trends looked at as part of the project to help assess the effectiveness of the guidance.
Members also praised the hard work of the pupils, who came from across the north-east.
Councillor Mark Findlater said: “This is brilliant. The whole modus operandi has been exemplary.
“I was bullied myself and know what it’s like. We’re never going to beat it or win the war, but if we can make a different to even one child it’s hugely beneficial. The involvement of the bairns is really, really good.”
Councillor Amanda Allan also welcomed the project, and said she hoped it would encourage more young people to report their problems.
She said: I really welcome this. I think that the main issue is if there’s a child getting bullied, they don’t feel they can report it. This will make it a more open atmosphere to go to an adult.”
The authority’s education and children’s service will now roll out training sessions in schools across the region.