Approaches to Recording and Monitoring Incidents of Bullying in Schools. National Thematic Review

In November 2017, Scottish Ministers tasked a short life working group to develop a more consistent national approach to recording and monitoring incidents of bullying in schools. The group identified the Bullying and Equalities Module (BEM) within the SEEMiS system as the most appropriate tool for schools and local authorities to use to record and support them to monitor bullying incidents. Since August 2019, all schools and local authorities have been expected to use the BEM within the SEEMiS system to record and monitor bullying incidents. In 2020, the short life working group requested that an evaluation be undertaken to ensure that the new arrangements promote a consistent national approach to the recording and monitoring of incidents of bullying. This report provides an evaluation of how the new arrangements have been implemented across primary, secondary and special schools and comments on how well the these are supporting children and young people.