Who Are the Peer Supporters

Kellogg College

PEER SUPPORT TRAINING PROGRAMME

2016/17

WHO ARE THE PEER SUPPORTERS?

• Peer Supporters at Kellogg College are students who are interested in providing support and a listening ear to their peers
  
• Peer Supporters are eager to expand their interpersonal skills alongside their studies, recognising the contribution that listening and supporting skills make to effective communication

• Peer supporters undergo an application and selection process before attending training, and keep to a Peer Support Code of Practice. You must be studying on your programme for at least 2 years (either full-time or part-time).

• For further information, visit the website

PEER SUPPORT AT OXFORD

• The Peer Support Training Programme began in 1991, in response to the stated needs of staff and students in welfare positions and pastoral roles.

• In 2002, a University Review recognised the value of the programme, especially in the ‘front-line’ provision that trained peer supporters offer to their peers.

• There are 31Oxford colleges and departments currently involved in the scheme, and approximately 200 students are trained every year.

• Over 2,500 students have been trained since the programme began.

• The listening skills you will learn will not only contribute to the pastoral life of the college during your time in Oxford, but will contribute to your development as an effective manager in your future career.

PEER SUPPORT TRAINING

• Training is provided by qualified Peer Support Programme trainers through the University of Oxford Counselling Service.

• Training consists of 10 three-hour sessions, which will take place prior to, and during the first weeks of Michaelmas Term, and continues through regular supervision after the structured training has ended. All sessions of the training and supervision are mandatory.

• Skills learned through training include being a good listener, helping others to feel more comfortable with social, academic and personal relationships and managing and communicating about sensitive issues.

• In training, an emphasis is placed on the listener learning his or her limits within a listening situation, and when best to refer on the person whom they are supporting.

• Through training, the students become aware of information on support, counselling and medical services so that these are readily available to students who speak to them.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TRAINING?

• Students who are trained commit themselves to being available in their role as peer supporters, for at least two terms after training.

• You will be one of six trained peer supporters at Kellogg College and will have the support of the College welfare team that comprises the Dean, the Academic Administrator and Disability Contact, the Junior Deans, the MCR Equality and Welfare Rep, the Harassment Advisers and others at College concerned with the welfare and wellbeing of Kellogg students.

• Because students are not trained to be counsellors, they mustattend fortnightly supervision sessions. This ensures that they are not acting as (or being asked to act as) counsellors, or committing too much time to being a peer supporter.

• Supervision, provided by qualified Peer Support Trainers, is an integral and mandatory part of the programme. Through discussing issues arising from the peer supporters’ role in college, it ensures the safety of those seeking support, the peer supporters and the college in which the programme is based. In addition, further training is provided in these sessions.

If you have any queries, please contact: