Anti-bullying – A Snapshot Survey of Children and Young People in Wales

Introduction

During June 2025 we asked children and young people about Welsh Government’s new draft anti-bullying guidance.

The survey was part of an ongoing series of topical questions we ask children and young people monthly to hear their views on a variety of issues, called Monthly Matters. It was shared directly with all schools signed up to our children’s rights schemes for primary and secondary schools, as well as community groups. 

As part of the survey pack, children and young people were shown a video introducing the topic, and they were asked to consider some questions, like does their school have an anti-bullying policy, is there a version for children and young people and how would they want to learn about their school’s anti-bullying policy. We suggested in our session outline that, following this video, children and young people should have a few minutes to discuss their views with each other before answering the survey. Schools and groups had two options for completing the survey; children and young people could either do it independently, or a teacher or group leader could complete the survey on behalf of the group by answering a different set of questions to give an overview of the discussion. 

583 children and young people answered the survey individually. A further 269 children took part in groups, with teachers and youth workers submitting a summary of their views. A broad range of ages took part, from children the age of 7 up to 18-year-olds. We received responses from 17 local authority areas. 

Questions were developed by the Commissioner’s experienced staff team based on themes that had emerged from previous engagement exercises with children, young people, and professionals. 

Questions for children and young people

 

Does your school have an anti-bullying policy?

Yes (371) – 27%

I don’t know (151) – 67%

No (36) – 7%

Is there a version for children/young people?

I don’t know (262) – 47%

Yes (225) – 41%

No (69) – 12%

How would you want to learn about your school’s anti-bullying policy? Pick as many as you want.

Watching a video about it (317) – 56%

Assembly (287) – 51%

Playing a game that helps you learn about it (248) – 44%

A teacher explaining it (216) – 38%

Reading it (190) – 34%

Talking to your friends about it (160) – 28%

Talking to your family about it (132) – 23%

Information on your school’s website or social media (121) – 22%

I am not interested in this (67) – 12%

Something else (66) – 12%

All children and young people have a right to have a say in the things affect them.

Have you ever been asked in school about what you think should be in your school’s anti-bullying policy or rules around bullying?

No (193) – 35%

I don’t know (185) – 34%

Yes (173) – 31%

What do you think should be in a child-friendly anti-bullying policy? Pick as many as you want.

What to do if you’re being bullied (386) – 70%

What bullying is/is not (309) – 56%

What your school will do if you’re being bullied (300) – 55%

What to do if your friend is being bullied (295) – 54%

What to do if you’re bullied online (255) – 46%

What to do if you think you’re a bully (191) – 35%

What you can do if you’re not happy with the way the school have dealt with it (186) – 34%

Information about where to get help e.g. Help lines (183) – 33%

Who you can talk to outside of school if you think you’re being bullied (183) – 33%

Something else (90) – 16%

Do you have somebody at your school who you can talk to about bullying?

Yes (409) – 73%

I don’t know (110) – 20%

No (39) – 7%

Who would you talk to?

The highest number of responses related to:

• A teacher
• A friend/friends
• A specifically named teacher

If a child in your school was being bullied, what do you think would help them the most?

The highest number of responses related to:

• Tell on them / tell a teacher / tell a trusted adult / tell a friend / contact the police / tell a parent / talk to someone
• Help them / be there for them / check they’re okay / emotional support / tell a teacher on their behalf / talk to them
• Tell the person to stop bullying

Questions for teachers

How would you want to learn about your school’s anti-bullying policy?

The highest number of responses related to:

• Assemblies
• Lessons
• Children want to help us with the policy

Is there any extra help you think teachers need related to bullying?

The highest number of responses related to:

• No (school already do lots of activities to raise awareness on bullying and how to deal with it)
• Staff are inconsistent with responses to information about bullying
• Teachers are good at dealing with bullying/problems

Conclusion

• A significant number of children (27%) were unaware of their school’s anti-bullying policy and almost half (47%) didn’t know if there was a children’s version.
• Interactive formats scored highly from children when asked about how they would want to learn about their school’s anti-bullying policy, with 56% calling for explainer videos, over half (51%) wanting presentations in assembly and 44% suggesting games that help them to understand the policy
• Our data also told us that a number of young people (35%) thought an anti bullying policy should include information on what to do if you think you’re a bully. The information for this kind of support is notably missing from the updated guidance.
• On top of our survey work, we’ve met with groups of young people to hear their views on the new guidance and on current anti-bullying measures. Discussion themes have included:
  • making sure the guidance gives equal attention to all learners
  • ensuring consistent support in schools
  • taking bullying more seriously
  • help for parents on supporting young people
  • the role of positive parenting

  The Commissioner will share children’s views with the Welsh Government as part of their consultation on new guidance.