Peer Supporting at Helenswood School
The peer supporter scheme is a listening service for pupils by pupils, which also offers guidance to help individuals think through their problems and consider options. It is a pupil to pupil scheme overseen by appropriate adults. The peer supporters are Year 9 and Year 10 pupils, who are specially selected by the school and trained by the East Sussex Anti Bullying team and the East Sussex Excellence Cluster Intervention team. The appropriate adults also had training from the East Sussex teams.
The scheme allows any pupil to have a confidential conversation with a supporter about anything that is bothering them. However, if someone is at risk the peer supporter can seek advice on how to help the individual through the pastoral system of the school. There are situations in which confidentiality will need to be broken and include:
- disclosure or evidence of physical, sexual or serious emotional abuse or neglect
- suicide is threatened or attempted
- disclosure or evidence of serious self-harm including drug or alcohol abuse
- evidence of serious mental health issues
- someone is involved in, is planning, or knows about any illegal activity
- someone is pregnant
- someone is being harassed, such as bullying, racism or homophobia
If confidentiality has to be broken the supporter will tell the pupil that they (the supporter) will have to speak to an appropriate adult. The pupil will be offered the chance to accompany the supporter or even go on their own to speak with the appropriate adult.
The appropriate adult will decide what action is needed and who needs to be informed. They will keep a written record of all action taken.The current team are:
Adult responsible for peer support
Mr John Gibbins - (Maths)
Appropriate adult team
Mrs E Fox - (Science) Upper School
Ms Lynda Buss - (TA)
Miss Louise Evans - (BMT)
Mrs N McDonagh - (TA)
Peer supporters
Jasmine Callaghan - (10CR)
Grace Cudmore - (9JD)
Hannah Jefferson - (10NN)
Jodie Humphrey - (9JD)
Kathleen Jewell - (10CR)
Rebecca Morris - (9SW)
Rebecca Kent - (10BG)
Jazmine Pook - (9JD)
Jessica Love - (10CH)
Rosie Street-Jeakings - (9JD)
Eleanor Marsh - (10NN)
Pastoral Advisors
Mrs Helen Phillips
Mrs Ginny Sheldrake
