The Queensland Government is bolstering its anti-bullying plan with a major investment in telephone and online support services for students, teachers and teacher aides across Queensland.
It is delivering investing $3.2 million into My Circle for Parents, which helps parents navigate bullying, whether their child is a victim or demonstrates bullying behaviour.
My Circle for Parents is a free, anonymous online platform designed to support parents and caregivers whose children are involved in bullying situations.
The innovative platform provides a safe, clinically moderated space for parents to connect with peers, share experiences, and access trusted information.
The service is moderated by counsellors and requires parents to use individual log ins, which creates a safe, respectful environment of peer connection.
The My Circle for Parents investment is part of the Queensland Government’s $33 million plan to address bullying in Queensland’s schools and communities, including:
- Rapid Support Squads providing on-the-ground support and expertise for high impact incidents of bullying in schools.
- Expanded Parentline operating hours.
- Additional chaplains and student wellbeing officer services in schools.
- Stakeholder Reference Group of experts to provide up to date advice on current and future initiatives.
- Professional development resources for teachers.
The investment comes after an additional $1.6 million was invested in Parentline, a telephone support service for parents and students.
Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said the Queensland Government was delivering on its commitment to help stamp-out bullying in Queensland classrooms.
“We promised Queenslanders we would crackdown on bullying in classrooms and these support services offer invaluable help for students and parents,” Minister Langbroek said.
“The Queensland Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future and that includes making our classrooms safer for students, teachers and teacher aides.
“We also invested in rapid support squads, additional chaplains, a stakeholder reference group and professional development resources for teachers.”
Minister Langbroek said My Circle gives parents another avenue to seek support in high stress and highly emotional situations.
“This is clearly a service parents need and value, which is why we’re expanding it to allow for an online forum of peer and expert support.
“Tackling the scourge of bullying requires concerted efforts from all adults involved in a child’s life – especially parents.
“The support we’re providing parents to help them play an active role in addressing bullying assists schools and school staff who are managing these situations too.
“We all need to step up and protect our children from the lasting and devastating impacts of bullying.”
Parents can join the free My Circle for Parents platform at the Parentline website.
