Introducing and piloting the KiVa bullying prevention programme in the UK

The history of bullying research is summarised and the KiVa bullying prevention programme described.
KiVa is a whole-school programme with universal and indicated actions for children aged 7 to 15 years in
the Finnish comprehensive school system. It was developed at Turku University, Finland, by social
psychologist Christina Salmivalli and colleagues. It has demonstrated significant benefits in a large-scale
randomised controlled trial and a subsequent roll-out of the programme to 90 per cent of schools in the
Finnish comprehensive system (www.kivakoulu.fi/). KiVa is based on research showing the important role
played by bystanders in the bullying process. The universal and indicated actions within the programme
are described. The universal actions consist of class lessons, whole school actions and a parent website.
Evidence from the Finnish trials is summarised.
The paper describes the introduction of the programme to the UK in 2011 and the results from the first,
psychologist led, UK pilot trial of the programme are reported. Seventeen schools participated in the trial of
Unit 2, at the time the only material available in English (for children aged 9 to 11 years), and delivered
KiVa lessons to year 5 and/or year 6 pupils. Children completed the online KiVa survey prior to programme
commencement and at the end of the school year. Significant reductions were reported in bullying and
victimisation. Teachers reported high levels of pupil acceptance and engagement with lessons. The paper
concludes with reflections on the role that educational and other applied psychologists can play in further
disseminating this programme.