Mini vic.gov.au

This is a low bandwidth version of vic.gov.au. Contents may not be up to date. © Copyright State Government of Victoria

Overview of the six methods

The six methods of intervention are used to address cases of bullying encountered in schools.

On this page

The six methods of intervention are based upon an analysis of the major alternative and supplementary strategies being used to address cases of bullying encountered in schools.

Six Methods of Intervention Vodcast Series

Join Professor Ken Rigby, former school teacher, psychologist, parent and academic, as he draws upon his longstanding experience in providing practical advice to all those who are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of children in schools.

In this series of four workshops Ken presents the six methods of interventions to a small live audience at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Descriptions

The following is a brief description of the methods.

The traditional disciplinary approach

This implies the use of direct sanctions as a punishment administered to students who have bullied someone and also as a general deterrent.

For more information, see Traditional approach.

Strengthening the target

This involves systematically helping the victim to deal more effectively with the person or persons who seek to bully him or her.

For more information, see Strengthening the target.

Mediation

This is a process in which students in conflict, including bully/victim conflicts, are invited to take part in a session with a mediator, a staff member or peer mediator, to help resolve their differences without any compulsion.

For more information, see Mediation.

Support Group Method

This is a process in which students who have offended against another attend a meeting together with the victim, at which the offender is required to reflect upon the harm that has been done, experience remorse and act restoratively towards the person or persons offended.

For more information, see Support Group Method.

Restorative practice

This is a non-punitive strategy used with groups of students who have engaged in bullying someone. Once identified by the target, the ‘bullies’ meet with the practitioner and other students who have been selected because they are expected to be supportive of the victim (who is not present). Knowledge of the distress experienced by the victim is shared with the group and each member is required to accept responsibility and say how he or she will help that person. The outcome is monitored.

For more information, see Restorative practice.

The Method of Shared Concern

This is a non-punitive multi-stage strategy used with groups of students who are suspected of bullying someone. Suspected bullies are first interviewed individually. The practitioner shares a concern for the bullied student and invites each of them to say what they will do to help. When it is clear that helpful actions have taken place, the suspected bullies meet as a group with the practitioner, plan what they propose to do next, and subsequently meet with the victim to finally resolve the problem.

For more information, see Shared Concern Method.

Education & training

Updated 26 March 2026

About the VIC Government

Grants and programs

Jobs and careers

Arts, culture and heritage

Business and the workplace

Communities

Education and training

Environment, water and energy

Finance and economy

Health and social support

Housing and property

Law and justice

Safety and emergencies

Science and technology

Sport and recreation

Traffic and transport

Working in the Victorian Government