How to set up peer support

To set up peer support in your school you will firstly need to decide what kind of peer support you want to set up. What are the needs for your school?

It is always best to consult the students and staff to find out what they also think would be best for the school.

• Once you have decided to start, contact CHIPS. We can advise you on every aspect of setting up a scheme and what schemes would suit your school. We can book you on to our training course “Opening the door to peer support” and organise visiting your school to train the
  peer supporters.
• Considering what is happening currently in your school that supports pupils and how your new peer support scheme can compliment
  that work?
• Decide the aims you would like your scheme to achieve. Are you trying to break down barriers between different year groups or preventing bulling or encouraging games at break time?
• What would be the resource implications? Think practically about if you would need a designated room in your school to run the scheme. Which staff members and pupils be involved? Do you need to buy equipment?
• How are you going to select and recruit peer supporters? Will you ask for volunteers or will you have an application process? You need to ensure the peer supporters represent the whole school population.
• How will you let everyone know the scheme exists? You will need to raise awareness amongst staff, pupils and parents so they are aware
  of the scheme.
• How will the scheme be monitored in order to make sure it is effective?

Once you have a clear view of what you would like to achieve the CHIPS team can come to your school and train your group of children and young people to be peer supporters and you are ready to go! 

If you would like to set up peer support in your school, ask your teacher to take a look at the NSPCC website which has all the information they need to set up a scheme.