UK kids tsar wants new system to tackle bullying

LONDON, Nov 20 (Reuters) England's Children Commissioner called today for the introduction of an independent complaints panel to deal with bullying in schools.

Professor Sir Albert Aynsley-Green, head of the Children's Commission, said the current system for handling bullying complaints was unsatisfactory as it lacked independence and failed to offer adequate mediation services.

''Many children and parents have told us the complaints system in schools does not address bullying incidents in a fair, just or effective way,'' Aynsley-Green said in a statement.

''It would be in everybody's interest to improve how head teachers, governors and local authorities deal with parents' concerns about an incident involving their child.'' The Children's Commissioner plans to present his bullying proposals, which he wants to apply to independent as well as state schools, to Education Secretary Alan Johnson in the new year.

November 20 marks the start of Anti-Bullying Week, with Aynsley-Green due to launch his Bullying Complaints Review and publish a major research report on bullying.

REUTERS AKJ VV0936