There are five stages recommended for the successful implementation of Peer Support in your school:

Stage One

Gathering information and presenting it at a general staff meeting to explain the aims and processes of the Peer Support program. Following staff support of the program, volunteer teachers need to be willing to act as co-ordinators and student trainers.

Stage Two: Teacher Training

Volunteer teachers or parents attend a two-day workshop, during which they learn to train student Peer Support leaders for the program. The workshop introduces them to core activities and concepts of Peer Support and provides experience of the activities as well as practical details needed for planning and running the program.

It is recommended that two teachers attend the workshop together in order to provide support for each other when implementing the program.

Stage Three: Student Training

• Senior students are taught the activities in the program over two day's training. The format depends on the schools needs.

• Junior students are grouped for weekly Peer Support activities. The recognised group numbers are from 6 - 12 junior students. Generally, two leaders are allocated to each group. A Peer Support session should be included in the school's regular timetable.

Stage Four

Each school is unique and, as experience develops, the program will need modification and enrichment to suit the particular school environment. Teachers must be aware of the need to monitor student leaders' performance and to provide regular problem-solving meetings on a weekly basis.

Stage Five

Formal evaluation, with questionnaires circulated to all groups and persons affected by the program, should be arranged and group decisions made as to adjustments required.

Further information is supplied in the workshop training and in consultation services provided by our staff. Please call us on (03) 9489-1611 if you have any queries.