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| 'No Blame' Is No
More - a victory for common sense (October 2007)
A government Minister has told Dan Norris MP that the so-called 'No Blame' approach- infamously adopted by Bristol City Council in 2005 - has no part to play in future efforts to beat the scourge of bullying. In a special Commons debate about bullying the Labour MP asked for - and received - an assurance from Children, Schools and Families Minister, Kevin Brennan that 'No Blame' does not form part of the government's strategy to tackle bullying in schools. The following exchange took place in a House of Commons debate about bullying in schools on Wednesday 17 October: Dan Norris: Will my hon. Friend assure me that the Government's approach does not embrace the so-called no blame approach to bullying? About 18 months ago, in response to problems in Bristol schools, the then Liberal Democrat-run council gave out an instruction to schools that pupils should not be punished for bullying other pupils, and I am still angry about that. Kevin Brennan: I give my hon. Friend the absolute assurance that the Government are not embracing the no blame approach. We have also made that clear to the Anti-Bullying Alliance. Bullies should always be punished. As we have discussed, further help might be required for bullies, their families and their parents, but I have no doubt whatever that it is a big mistake if the bully's actions have no real consequence. It is ultimately in the interests of the bully's own welfare and well-being that there should be such consequences. Mr Norris added: "The Minister's assurance will come as welcome relief to parents, teachers and pupils that No Blame is dead. Bullying is wrong and bullies should always be punished." |