Question 1

What does NSABA do?

Accepted Answer

NSABA stands for National Sikh Anti Bullying Alliance. We are a voluntary group dedicated to supporting Sikh families affected by bullying or discrimination in schools. We offer advocacy, advice, emotional support, and community-led solutions to help create safer, more inclusive school environments.

Question 2

Is this service only for Sikh families?

Accepted Answer

The National Sikh Anti-Bullying Alliance (NSABA) is dedicated to tackling anti-Sikh bullying in UK schools. We also support families from any minority group experiencing identity or cultural-based bullying, particularly when they form a minority within a school setting.

True equality requires an honest understanding that everyone is capable of prejudice, and that, ultimately, it is the power dynamics within a school setting that determine the impact and severity of bullying. This means minority groups that form a majority in a school can also perpetrate bullying, and minority-on-minority bullying is overlooked, often exacerbated by misunderstandings or misplaced assumptions about discrimination.

Question 3

Can you help us speak to our child’s school?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can help you to prepare for meetings, write formal complaints, and understand your rights. In some cases, we may be able to attend meetings (virtually or in person) as a supportive presence.

Question 4

Is your service free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All of our support is provided by volunteers and is free of charge.

Question 5

I attend school and I am being bullied. Can I contact you myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but we will need to involve a trusted adult that you know. Usually this is your parent/carer or teacher but we will support them all to try and help make the world a better place in which to learn.

Question 6

I want to start something similar in my area. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes, of course.  We can support you with resources, training, and advice to help you set up your own community support network.

Question 7

What do you do with our data?

Accepted Answer

We are committed to protecting the privacy of the families and individuals we support whilst advocating for safer school environments for Sikh and minority children. We handle all personal data responsibly and securely, ensuring compliance with the UK Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Our Data Practices
Minimal Data Collection: We collect only the essential information needed to provide effective support and advocacy, adhering to the principle of data minimisation.
Anonymised Correspondence: To protect identities, we refer to pupils by their initials only, parents as "Parent," and senior school leaders as "SLT" in all correspondence and case records.

Data Destruction: All case-related files, excluding the limited data outlined below, are securely deleted within three months of case completion to minimise risk and uphold privacy.
Limited Data Retention: For policy development and to identify patterns of bullying, we retain only:
Your email address (to maintain contact for support).
A general description of the bullying or incident (e.g., type, context).
The outcome of the case (e.g., resolution, actions taken).

Why We Retain Limited Data
Bullying of Sikh and minority children is often underreported, poorly recorded, or ignored, hindering meaningful improvements in school policies and practices. By retaining anonymised data, NSABA aims to:
Identify patterns of bullying to advocate for systemic change.
Provide evidence to policymakers and educators to address gaps in data collection.
Support the development of effective strategies to combat bullying, ensuring schools meet their legal obligations under the Education Act 2002 and Keeping Children Safe in Education.
A joined-up account of bullying incidents is essential to drive accountability and create safer, more inclusive school environments for all children.

Meeting Our Data Protection Obligations
NSABA complies with the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR by:
- Lawful Basis: Processing personal data only when necessary, based on legitimate interests to support families and advocate for policy improvements, or with explicit consent where required.
- Transparency: Clearly informing individuals about how their data is used, stored, and destroyed, as outlined in this statement.
- Data Security: Implementing robust measures, such as secure storage and encryption, to protect data from unauthorised access or breaches.
- Data Subject Rights: Respecting your rights to access, rectify, or erase your data, and responding promptly to requests in line with GDPR requirements.
- Accountability: Maintaining records of data processing activities and conducting regular reviews to ensure compliance with DPA and GDPR principles.
- Minimisation and Retention: Collecting only necessary data and securely deleting it within three months of case completion, except for the minimal anonymised data retained for policy and advocacy purposes.

If you have questions about your data rights or our practices, please contact us at data@nsaba.org.uk

Question 8

Are your volunteers trained?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All of our volunteers are DBS checked and have received training in Safeguarding - primarily Keeping Children Safe in Education, Equalities legislation and Data Protection. Most of our volunteers work in education, law or are parents who have held their schools to account and would like to give back to their community through sewa.

Question 9

What does NSABA do?

Accepted Answer

NSABA stands for National Sikh Anti-Bullying Alliance.  Please go to https://www.nsaba.org.uk/about-us (https://www.nsaba.org.uk/about-us)to find out more.

Question 10

Are you independent?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are not affiliated with any organisation, though will endorse and request support from some as and when required.

Question 11

What is the process for support?

Accepted Answer

This is simple.

1. You get in touch by completing this form.(https://www.nsaba.org.uk/request-support)

2 We then get in touch with you, usually by telephone, and take down any further details.

3. We assign a caseworker who will either represent you or guide your complaint towards a satisfactory resolution with school. This may also mean attending remote meetings with you.

Question 12

My child's school does not let them wear a kara. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

While this is not an anti-bullying issue, it is an equalities and inclusion one and our commitment to this is steadfast. Any practices which limit a Sikh child's ability to practise their faith or where they are treated differently, will be considered for representation by us on a case-by-case basis. Please go to https://www.nsaba.org.uk/school-uniform-and-sikhi (https://www.nsaba.org.uk/school-uniform-and-sikhi)for further advice on this and an email you can send to the school.

Question 13

What are NSABA's opening times?

Accepted Answer

As a volunteer organisation with many of our sevadaars in other employment, we cannot run an office hours provision. However we check each day on all concerns raised to us, triage this and aim to get in touch within 12 hours of concerns raised to us. Where we assess a situation is of a more urgent nature, for example where a child is at risk of immediate physical harm then we will be in touch sooner.

Question 14

Do schools have legal duties as regards to preventing bullying?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is a non-negotiable. Protections include:

Equality Act 2010
 • Protects Sikh children from discrimination and bullying because of their race or religion.
 • Schools and academies must treat all children fairly and stop any bullying or harassment based on faith or ethnicity.

Children Act 1989 & 2004
 • Schools must keep children safe and look after their wellbeing.
 • This means protecting them from bullying and harm, including racial bullying.

Education Act 2002
 • Schools must provide a safe and supportive environment for learning.
 • They need clear policies to prevent and respond to bullying.

School Standards and Framework Act 1998
 • Schools have a duty to promote good behaviour and discipline.
 • This includes preventing bullying and keeping children safe.

Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) – part of the Equality Act 2010
 • Schools and academies must work to eliminate discrimination and promote equality.
 • They must foster an environment where all children feel respected.

Human Rights Act 1998
 • Supports every child’s right to education without discrimination or bullying.
 • Protects their right to respect for private life and beliefs.

Education and Inspections Act 2006
 • Gives schools and academies the power to discipline pupils to keep everyone safe.
 • Helps schools manage bullying and behavioural issues.

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) – Mandatory statutory guidance
 • All schools and academies must follow this government guidance.
 • It sets out legal duties for safeguarding and child protection.
 • Schools must have clear procedures to identify, prevent, and respond to bullying and racism.
 • Staff must be trained regularly on safeguarding, including recognising and tackling racist bullying.

Prevent Duty (Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015)
 • Requires schools to safeguard children from extremist views that can fuel racism or bullying.
 • Schools must promote respect, tolerance, and British values.

Question 15

I have a question that is not answered here. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

Please email your question to us at info@nsaba.org.uk (info@nsaba.org.uk)or submit this by going to https://www.nsaba.org.uk/contact (https://www.nsaba.org.uk/contact)and completing the form.