Children and young people with disabilities or special health needs are at higher risk of bullying.
This includes learners with:
Physical disabilities
Learning disabilities
Developmental disabilities
Sensory impairments
Mental health conditions
Medical conditions (e.g., epilepsy, allergies)
2. Why Risk Is Higher
Risk increases due to:
Physical vulnerability
Communication difficulties
Social skill challenges
Being seen as “different”
Lack of peer friendships
Unsupportive or unaware environments
Some students may also not realise they are being bullied, especially when social understanding is affected.
3. Types of Bullying Faced
Students with disabilities may experience:
👄 Verbal bullying
Name-calling
Mocking differences
Hurtful comments
🚫 Social bullying
Being left out
Ignoring or exclusion
Spreading rumours
✋ Physical bullying
Pushing or hitting
Intimidation
Interference with mobility aids
💻 Cyberbullying
Online harassment
Embarrassing posts
Group exclusion online
4. Special Health Needs Risks
Some students face additional danger when bullying involves health conditions:
Food allergies being deliberately triggered
Making fun of medical conditions
Ignoring medical needs during incidents
👉 In some cases, this can become life-threatening, not just harmful.
5. Impact on Learning & Wellbeing
Bullying can lead to:
School avoidance
Lower academic achievement
Anxiety and depression
Loneliness and isolation
Reduced confidence
Difficulty concentrating
It can directly affect access to education.
6. Legal & School Responsibility
Schools must:
Protect students from disability-based bullying
Ensure access to education is not affected
Use safeguarding systems
Support students through IEPs or 504 plans
Respond to harassment properly
Failure to act may be considered a denial of educational rights.
7. Prevention Strategies (What Works)
🏫 Schools should:
Have clear anti-bullying policies
Train staff regularly
Promote inclusion
Act quickly on reports
Monitor vulnerable students
👥 Peer support:
Buddy systems
Friendship groups
Inclusive classroom activities
Social skills support
🧑🏫 Staff training:
Staff should recognise:
Withdrawal
Anxiety about school
Sudden behaviour changes
Fear of peers
Avoidance behaviours
8. Protective Factors
What helps protect students:
Strong friendships
Supportive adults
Inclusive school culture
Clear reporting systems
Emotional regulation support
Positive peer engagement
9. What to Do if Bullying Happens
Immediate steps:
Listen and believe the student
Record incidents clearly
Report to safeguarding lead
Inform parents/carers
Put safety plans in place
Monitor ongoing risk
Longer-term:
Emotional support
Adjust learning environment if needed
Peer support interventions
Follow-up reviews
📘 EASY READ VERSION
Bullying and Disability
💡 What we know
Children with disabilities or special needs:
May be bullied more often
May find social situations harder
May need extra support
⚠️ Why this happens
Some children are bullied because:
They are seen as different
They may communicate differently
They may need extra help
Some people are unkind
👄 Types of bullying
Bullying can be:
Saying unkind words
Leaving someone out
Hitting or pushing
Online bullying
🧠 How bullying can affect someone
Bullying can make people feel:
Sad
Worried
Lonely
Scared to go to school
It can also make learning harder.
🛑 What schools should do
Schools should:
Keep students safe
Stop bullying quickly
Teach kindness
Help everyone feel included
🤝 What to do if bullying happens
Tell a trusted adult
Write down what happened
Ask for help
Keep the person safe
🌟 Important message
Everyone deserves:
Respect
Safety
Kindness
Support
🧭 PRACTICAL TRAINING TOOLKIT
👀 Warning Signs Checklist
Sudden withdrawal
Not wanting to go to school
Anxiety or fear
Changed behaviour
Physical complaints (headaches, stomach aches)
Loss of confidence
🧑🏫 Staff Actions
Take every report seriously
Record everything clearly
Follow safeguarding policy
Support emotional wellbeing
Communicate with parents/carers
Review safety plans
🧩 Prevention Focus
Inclusion in class activities
Strong peer relationships
Clear behaviour expectations
Safe reporting systems
Social skills support
📊 QUICK SUMMARY
Students with disabilities are at higher risk of bullying
Risk is linked to communication, social, and environmental factors
Bullying can seriously affect learning and mental health
Schools have legal and safeguarding duties
Prevention is based on inclusion, awareness, and quick action\\
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