ZAP anti-bullying and assertiveness workshops

What is ZAP? A one-day workshop for bullied young people (aged 9-16) and their parents/carers. Funded by the Big Lottery Fund. It is free to attend. Delivered fortnightly in Birmingham, London and Newcastle upon Tyne by the anti-bullying charity, Kidscape.

What is Kidscape? National anti-bullying charity. Founded in 1985. Training for professionals. Workshops for children. Early interventions in schools. Information and advice. Media engagement.

History of Kidscape and ZAP Kidscape provided information and advice to schools about bullying The charity saw a need for practical tools for children to help them stand up to bullying, and support for parents When Kidscape was first set up, it provided information and advice for schools. It came to light that there wasn’t much provision for the thousands of children themselves who were experiencing bullying, in terms of practical tools and strategies. (Persistent bullying can have a profound effect which can haunt children for the rest of their lives, causing poor self-esteem and low self-confidence. Targets often become anxious and withdrawn, may truant to avoid bullying, and in severe cases may resort to self-harm or attempt suicide). We wanted to teach them some basic tools they could use immediately that would protect them. However, we also wanted the make sure that the tools were embedded, and realised that the involvement of parents in reinforcing these tools would be crucial. We also recognised that parents of bullied children needed help too, as often this experience is cyclical, and parents who were themselves bullied as children present similar passive role models to their children and may retain low self-esteem, leading them to believe their child’s problem is their fault and so they have no hope of challenging bullying on behalf of their child. Often they lacked the knowledge and skills to help, in terms of approaches they could take with their child’s school to improve the situation, or who could support them. Therefore, we also wanted to teach them some tools they could use, as well as provide an opportunity to benefit from meeting others in similar situations and realise that they were not alone and it was not their fault; that there are many families in this boat. Therefore the ZAP programme was conceived in 2001 to provide a practical intervention based on face-to-face work with children and young people and training for parents. It started with small sessions with 2 or 3 young people as a pilot, and it grew from there, and then the Lottery funded the delivery of regular sessions in London. The tools were based on assertiveness theory from the very beginning.

What's involved in ZAP? As part of the ZAP workshop, Kidscape trainers run two simultaneous sessions: a full-day session for young people. a supporting half-day session for their parents and carers.

Young persons' session The core objective of the young persons' session is to teach assertiveness skills The difference between passive, aggressive and assertive behaviour and how it relates to bullying. Practical assertive strategies to prevent bullying, including assertive voice, behaviour, body language and eye contact – and how these work together. Choosing appropriate strategies based on the scenario, including how these transfer to cyber bullying.

Parents' session The core objective of the parents' session is to give them the confidence and skills to support their child Assertiveness training: showing parents how to encourage assertive behaviour and practise the skills their child has learnt – also understanding the significance of modelling behaviour. Open discussion: a chance to talk about emotional challenges. Further support sources: providing information about other organisations and groups that are able to help.

What is assertiveness? Being passive is to behave as if others people's rights matter more than yours. Being aggressive is to behave as if your rights matter more than other people's. Being assertive is to respect yourself and others equally.

Why learning to be assertive reduces bullying Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Becoming assertive can shift this power imbalance, which in turn can eradicate the bullying dynamic.

Young persons' session Other objectives include: Bullying awareness: what is bullying and cyber bullying, and what defines bully, target, bystander behaviour. Raising self-esteem: allowing young people to understand that bullying is never their fault and they are not alone. Raising confidence: ensuring each young person leaves the session with a set of new skills they can implement immediately.

Teasing is different to bullying What is bullying? Teasing is different to bullying I think this is funny I feel ok I’m not enjoying this I feel threatened I want it to stop RECEIVER Teasing Bullying Notes: Explain that we are going to think first about the difference between teasing and bullying. Encourage the class to think about a situation where one person is making comments about another person. (click to bring up the points one by one)… we know that teasing is happening is the receiver is feeling ok about the situation – they can cope with what the other person is saying or doing – and the giver is not meaning any harm towards the other person. We know that it is bullying if the receiver is feeling threatened or upset and wants it to stop - and the giver is getting satisfaction from it and deliberately making someone else feel upset or hurt. Pauline Quirk foundation video Bullying or Banter I’m being funny I mean no harm I’m enjoying this I feel powerful I don’t care how they feel GIVER

Conflict is different to bullying What is bullying? Conflict is different to bullying Conflict: Disagreements or arguments A normal, acceptable part of growing up. Should be sorted out between the two people Bullying: Power used by one person to make another feel powerless Unacceptable Should be reported Notes: Explain that we are also going to think about the difference between conflict and bullying. Click to bring up the points one by one and explain that we will go on to discuss how to tell a teacher about bullying later on.

Active Bystanders: Believe everyone is equally entitled to respect and kindness. Believe they can take responsibility and do something if necessary – make an informed judgement. Notice something is a problem.

What have we learnt today? One-off incidents and friendship fall-outs are not bullying, bullying is a repeated and deliberate behaviour which is meant to hurt and upset someone. Bullying is unacceptable. There are many different types of bullying. We can all help prevent bullying by reporting it. We all have a responsibility to be an active bystander.

Positive outcomes Young person: "ZAP has helped me to be more confident and brave when I am around bullies”

Positive outcomes Young person: “You can meet other children that are going through bullying”

Positive outcomes Parents: "Thank you for an amazing day. We are very lucky to have been invited to attend. Lots learned, lots still sinking in, lots to work with –it was hugely beneficial."

Positive outcomes Parents: "As parents, we were amazed and pleased to see the difference in our daughter within days of attending the ZAP workshop. She has gained a lot of confidence. She has put herself forward to participate in activities and is naturally happy to display her talents, which was something we had not seen for a long time. We are very grateful to you all at Kidscape.”

Within 3 months of attending, young people… Are bullied less: 93% report that their experience of bullying has significantly reduced. Have higher self-esteem: Of the 73% who stated they felt bad about themselves before ZAP, only 18% agreed with this statement after attending. Are more confident: 95% felt confident after ZAP compared with only 22% before. 

Application process Parents complete a short questionnaire which establishes their child's experience and whether ZAP is appropriate. Parent and child are invited to attend an upcoming session in the region of their choice. Young people are grouped into sessions with peers of a similar age. Application forms can be found online: www.kidscape.org.uk/zap

Thank you for listening For more information about ZAP, visit www.kidscape.org.uk or contact your regional coordinator. ZAP Birmingham: Julie Smith julie.smith@kidscape.org.uk 07495 257801 @Kidscape KidscapeCharity