Peer Support in Scottish Schools

This handbook aims to help schools develop peer support schemes which can be a key element in any approach to bullying. A copy of the resource has been sent to every school in Scotland.

Research into the causes of bullying suggests that peer pressure can sometimes turn a group of normally decent, caring young people into a callous mob. But peer pressure does not have to be negative. Schools across the country are developing peer support schemes which harness the latent goodwill and social skills of young people. The schemes have various names such as "buddying", "peer mentoring" or "group support", but the successful ones all have a number of things in common: they have the whole-hearted support of all sections of the school community, volunteer supporters are given high quality training and they are also given the opportunity to engage in enjoyable, relationship-building activities with the young people they hope to support.

The Anti-Bullying Network has been collecting information about anti-bullying policies in Scottish schools for the past six years, during which period peer support schemes have become increasingly common. In September this year the Network asked schools to provide information about anti-bullying strategies that they had found to be particularly useful. 39 out of the 80 that have responded so far have mentioned peer support.

The advice in the handbook is based on the experiences of those schools that have successfully introduced peer support schemes - as well as the lessons learned by those which have had problems. A successful scheme can help to reduce bullying behaviour, resolve bullying situations and promote the development of a more positive school ethos.

Text from the Scottish Antibullying Network’s web site (see link on right).
Copies of the handbook can be obtained from the Antibullying Network on 0131 651 6103.