A toolkit for schools on building positive relationships with parents and carers and responding to concerns.
Strong relationships between schools and parents and carers are essential to preventing and responding to bullying effectively. When schools and families work together, they are better placed to identify concerns early, understand children's experiences and provide the support they need.
However, conversations about bullying can sometimes be challenging. Parents and carers may feel upset, worried or frustrated when their child is involved in a bullying situation, while school staff may be balancing different perspectives, establishing what has happened and deciding on the most appropriate response.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance is delighted to launch a brand-new free resource developed to help schools build positive relationships with families, communicate effectively about bullying and navigate difficult conversations with confidence, empathy and professionalism.
Download the resource: Tackling bullying together
What does this free resource include?
The resource includes a downloadable toolkit with a brand new online CPD accredited e-learning course coming very soon.
What does the resource cover?
The toolkit and the e-learning course explore how schools can develop and maintain constructive relationships with parents and carers, both before concerns arise and when bullying is reported. It provides practical advice, guidance and examples to help school staff:
- Build positive relationships: Develop trust and open communication with parents and carers as part of everyday school practice.
- Communicate effectively: Listen to concerns, respond sensitively and share information clearly and appropriately.
- Navigate difficult conversations: Manage challenging or emotionally charged discussions while maintaining positive and professional relationships.
- Respond to bullying concerns: Work in partnership with families to understand concerns, agree appropriate actions and ensure children receive the support they need.
- Manage differing perspectives: Navigate situations where parents, carers or school staff may have different views about what has happened or how best to respond.
- Maintain a child-centred approach: Keep the wellbeing, safety and needs of children and young people at the heart of discussions and decision-making.
The toolkit also includes practical examples and case studies to help staff reflect on their own practice and consider how the approaches could be applied in their school.
Who is the resource for?
The toolkit and the e-learning (coming soon) are intended for all school staff and professionals who may be involved in preventing and responding to bullying or communicating with parents and carers about bullying concerns. This includes senior leaders, Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), pastoral staff, teachers, family support staff, and behaviour, attendance and wellbeing leads.
While different staff members will have different responsibilities, building positive relationships with parents and carers is a shared responsibility across the whole school community.
How to use the resource?
The toolkit can be used to support staff training, inform school policies and procedures, encourage reflection on existing practice, or provide practical guidance when responding to individual bullying concerns.
It is designed to complement, rather than replace, existing safeguarding, behaviour and anti-bullying policies and procedures.
The e-learning course will be available in early 2027.
By investing in positive relationships with parents and carers, schools can create stronger partnerships that help children and young people feel safe, supported and able to thrive.
This resource was developed by the Anti-Bullying Alliance with support from Roblox as part of a shared commitment to helping schools and families navigate bullying concerns and strengthen positive relationships around children and young people.