Supporting your teen at school
If the bullying takes place at school, there are actions you can take. If possible, collect evidence and report it to the school directly. Many schools have an online platform you can use to report bullying behaviour. Your concern should be handled seriously, and schools should have an anti-bullying policy to explain the process.
Encourage the school to strengthen its approach to anti-bullying. This could include signing up for an anti-bullying programme or running workshops to help students explore appearance-based bullying. In 2021, The Diana Award launched #FreeTheShoulders, a campaign aiming to educate one million young people, parents and adults on how to fight all forms of bullying. This campaign provides free, dedicated resources on appearance-based bullying.
Remember, you can always reach out to the school's student support service, who should be able to connect your child with organisations or counselling services.