In this month’s Cassidy’s Comments, Frank discusses the impact that the ‘Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (Northern Ireland) 2016’ would have for schools, not least the administrative burden required by the (now paused) Act.  He states that this Act and the accompanying comprehensive guidance are clear responses to the lack of consensus between wider society and schools on how pupil interaction and inevitable problems should be described and resolved and it is perhaps therefore wise that further dialogue is undertaken to address Trade Union concerns.

On August 29th, 2019 the Department of Education wrote to all school principals to inform them that in the light of Trade Union concerns, the planned implementation of the ‘Addressing Bullying in Schools