ABSTRACT
Peer support is based on interaction and collaboration with others and involves sharing ideas of identity, relationships and safety through an interactive process. Peer support consists of a variety of approaches that promote the idea of young people helping other young people, among other things. Some of the main peer support methods are, namely: peer mentoring, peer advocacy, circle time, cyber mentoring, peer tutoring, peer listening, circle of friends, peer befriending, buddies, mini-buds, and peer counselling. External peer support (EPS) must make use of in-house peer support systems as the reference point for good working practice and guidelines. This chapter suggests that it is quite possible for external peer supporters who have received a high degree of training to assist in the training of in-house peer support systems. It shows the possibilities for established in-house peer supporters to act as external peer supporters in other schools and with other community groups.
