Understanding the bully

If you find it difficult to get through to your child, you may need help from an outside counsellor or therapist (ask your GP for a referral).

Every school is obliged to have an anti-bullying policy, so the head teacher and class teachers should all be able to offer appropriate help.

How bullies can help others
Sometimes children who have been bullies are the best people to help reform other bullies. Through counselling, it's possible to turn the situation round and help bullies see the devastating effect they can have on their victims and victims' families. Placing them in the supervised position of coach and mentor can build their self-esteem in a way that bullying other children never could, and it can also give them a chance to make amends for their previous behaviour.

Recommended reading
Nurturing Emotional Literacy: A Practical Guide by Peter Sharp (David Fulton Publishers, £17 from amazon.co.uk)

Your Child Bullying by Jenny Alexander (Vega Books, £5.99 from amazon.co.uk)

The Bullying Problem: How to deal with difficult children by A T Train (Souvenir Press, £9.99 from amazon.co.uk).