Peer Support

Schools can help students to perform supportive roles in a school. These include:

1. Peer mediation: Assisting in resolving disputes when student in conflict both want help from a trained peer mediator.
2. Buddy schemes Volunteering students are assigned to help individual children identified as vulnerable, often children who are new to a school.
3. Peer mentoring: Providing support for the emotional and/or academic needs of younger children 
4. Cyber mentoring: Providing support for students who are concerned about risks in using cyber technology or problems they have encountered in using it. 
5. Peer listening: Giving a sympathetic ear to younger students who are troubled 
6. Bystander training: Acting appropriately as a bystander in stopping bullying
7. Circle of friends: A group of students who have agreed to take steps to help a student who is having a hard time

These roles may overlap and students may be involved in performing more than one.
For an account of their nature and effectiveness see Thompson and Smith at www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RR098.pdf