“Buddying” / Peer Support for school children-

A school based training programme for children and staff

Evidence shows that peer group support schemes have a positive influence on the emotional climate of the whole school. This can contribute to a reduction in bullying and a happy playground experience. Children and young people in distress often turn first to a peer for help. “Buddies” can initiate play, befriend isolated pupils, and help their peers to resolve difficulties. To successfully sustain such a scheme, children need specialised training and on-going support from the school.

Aims:

To assist schools with setting up a "buddying" scheme.

To train selected children in:

• The role of "the buddy".
• Ways of befriending, and initiating play with children in the playground.
• Ways to listen, to support peers and to mediate when appropriate.

Objectives:

By the end of this training, participants will have attained:

• Increased self-esteem and personal development.
• A deeper understanding of the role of peer support.
• Active listening skills,
• A range of strategies to befriend and support peers in every day interactions.
• Skills to help peers play
• A clear understanding of when to involve an adult

The Training Package

Preparation: including a telephone discussion or meeting with the Headteacher/ SENCO ocusing on developing and managing a peer support system. The specific needs of your school will be addressed.

Delivery: Two one-hour group training sessions with the selected children and the SENCO focusing on the above objectives.