Training

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Peer Support/Counselling Course

Peer counsellors have proved to be a valuable resource in many schools. The thrust of peer counselling programmes has in many cases been towards anti-bullying and mediation. Research suggests that due to the very nature of bullying behaviour interventions based on peer influence are likely to be effective.

The Kidscape peer counselling course aims to equip young people with the skills to empower others to use their inner strengths. The skills-based course is grounded in person-centred principles and the participants are helped to learn basic counselling skills using a variety of activities including role-play.

The one-day course is delivered in schools to groups of up to 20 pupils. An outline of the course content is provided below:

Session 1

Climate building, including: the characteristics of a helping relationship, defining & establishing the 'core conditions', reinforcing the role of peer helper, setting the tone for effective listening & team building, body language & physical environment

Session 2

Exploration of roadblocks to effective communication - this session aims to raise students' awareness concerning some of the ineffective communication styles and how a person may react when confronted by these The emphasis is on establishing the characteristics of effective communication.

Session 3

Aims to examine & practise active listening skills - students experience listening & non-listening, clarify the skills underlying active listening. This section includes areas such as, the use of silence, reflecting content, feelings, clarifying, summarising

Session 4

Questioning skills - practise use of open questions, explore results of asking 'Why?' questions etc.

Session 5

Explores a model of a helping intervention, which encourages 'clients' to identify 'the concern', to explore the issues, alternative ways forward & possible consequences.

Session 6

Aims to identify the types of concerns/problems that peer counsellors may encounter in peer helping situations. Working in triads the participants experience the helping situation: 'Putting it all together' - peer counsellors practise the different skills & aim to empower their 'client' to choose the next step, to act upon their choice & to evaluate the results Discussion - setting up the support system - operational considerations. Evaluation

...helping to prevent bullying and child abuse 1985 - 2008