Prejudice-based incident reporting for 2024-2025?

Prejudice and identity-based bullying can seriously harm children and young people's mental health and wellbeing, affecting their ability to learn and flourish. Schools must manage these incidences effectively for several key reasons:

1. Legal responsibility: Schools are required by law to prevent discrimination and show they are tackling it effectively.
2. Safe learning environment: Addressing prejudice helps create a safer, more inclusive space where all students can thrive.
3. Community cohesion: Responding quickly and having a whole school approach to inclusion sends a strong message that discrimination is not tolerated.

What are Prejudice-Based Incidents (PBIs)?

These are actions perceived to be motivated by bias against protected characteristics; race, religion, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy or age. They can affect anyone in the school community - students, their families, staff, or visitors.

What support is available to help understand, prevent, respond to and teach about prejudice-based incidents in school?

We have created a one-minute guide to PBIs and for those needing a deeper dive, a Padlet offering information and helpful signposting in an accessible format.  This is part of our Equalities, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) offer of fully funded support to Norfolk schools which includes toolkits, Padlets and the option of a bespoke support surgery from an Inclusion Adviser.

How should schools and settings record PBIs?

Schools should be recording prejudice-based incidents and actions taken, on their internal systems as part of their safeguarding procedures. Each year we ask Norfolk schools to use this information to submit an annual report for the academic year 24/25.  We ask schools to complete the form at a convenient time before the form closes on Friday 24 October 2025.

Now is a good time to check that your internal reporting is up to date so you are ready to complete the form.  We ask for minimal information, number of incidents, nature of incident and type of incident.  No names of children are taken.

The form is accessed via the My Schools site. The reporting form includes a nil return option; we would like all settings to complete a report even if they have not recorded any incidents.

Why is it important to complete the PBI reporting form? 

Reporting will help Norfolk County Council and its partners plan better support for children, young people and their families and help promote a culture of respect, equity, and inclusion in schools.

What if I am a Norfolk school needing additional support in this area?

If, after exploring the links above, you require support around the reporting process, managing prejudice-based incidents or wider Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging from an adviser or have additional queries, please call 0333 313 7165. This phone line is open on weekdays, from 9am to 5pm.