To ask the Minister of Education for an update on any discussions with Education Training Inspectorate in relation to the implementation of the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 forming part of school inspection.

Officials work closely with colleagues in the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) to consider ways to support the implementation of the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (the Act). In particular, there is ongoing work to ensure that the new Inspection Framework, the ‘Empowering Improvement Framework’, supports the key requirements of the Act, including school level compliance.

As part of the new Inspection Framework, questionnaires are being piloted that include a focus on positive behaviour, child protection, safeguarding and bullying type behaviour. These will be provided to pupils, parents / carers and education setting staff. Discussions will also take place with key staff, governors and pupils relating to the implementation of the school’s policy on addressing bullying type behaviour. In addition, the Safeguarding proforma, available to all schools, includes prompts relevant to addressing bullying policy and procedures.