Reducing peer victimisation in Australian schools through targeted and universal approaches

The Friendly-Schools Plus teaching and learning resources use a strengths-based approach to focus on positive health rather than emphasising risk factors. The Year 4 and 5 teaching and learning resources are designed to address three key aspects of students’ school experiences shown to be related to improved social and emotional development: promoting positive peer relationships, promoting positive teacher-child relationships, and explicit teaching related to emotions, social knowledge and social skills. The resources aim to develop students’ social and emotional competencies to enable them to recognise and control their emotions; build positive relationships; show consideration for others; make thoughtful and sensible choices; and cope successfully with difficult situations. The Friendly-Schools Plus program is supported by 1 session of 6-hour training for school personnel and additional session of 6-hour training for classroom teachers. Training of school personnel includes: understanding social & emotional learning; evidence-based policies; building leadership; seven steps for whole school improvement. Additional training for classroom teachers includes: evidence for class teaching; bullying prevention strategies; utilising teacher support resources. The program comprises a whole-school manual, 8-10 hours of classroom teaching and learning materials, delivered one hour per week, as well as online capacity assessment and planning tools (a one-off screening tool to help schools determine current strengths and future improvements for positive student outcomes). The overall program is delivered over two school terms. The targeted intervention will be a modification of the well-established Cool Kids program. To reduce risk of stigmatisation, the program will be conducted by parents outside school so that only the school counsellor and the investigators will be aware of which children are in the targeted program. The self-help program involves 10 modules covering psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring for child and parents, graduated in vivo exposure, child management and interaction skills for parents, and general social and relationship management skills for children. Detailed information materials and extensive practice exercises are delivered over the internet, where parents receive the majority of the information, but specific components are directed also to the children. Parents and children are encouraged to complete modules weekly (ie 10 weeks) but as a self-help program, they can work at their own pace. The program will be supported by school counsellors who attend a one-day training workshop conducted by the researchers. Each parent will have 4 scheduled meetings with their school counsellor at key points in the program to discuss goals and problem-solve difficulties. Parents will also be encouraged to contact the school counsellor for additional advice as needed. The overall program is designed to be delivered over 1 school term. Schools will be randomly allocated to one of four conditions: 1) Both Cool Kids and Friendly Schools; 2) Friendly Schools alone; 3) Cool Kids alone; 4) School procedures as usual (no intervention). The no intervention schools will receive Friendly Schools Plus at the end of the trial (24 months). Questionnaire items to schools, counsellors, and parents, will assess use and implementation of both programs.