STEP - Young People Meet Young People
STEP is a programme designed to improve the school environment where students take on the main role in helping other young people. The school is responsible for promoting efforts to create a better psychosocial environment at school.
The participation of students complies with the requirement in the Education Act that young people themselves shall be involved in efforts to improve the psychosocial environment in the schools. This programme improves the knowledge and insight of young people as well as their ability to cope with their own lives.
One element of the STEP programme is that you, as a teacher, can encourage the students to participate in counselling services and in groups where young people help each other to address issues that are relevant to everyday life.
Young people who choose to be group leaders are given training in communication and in counselling and presentation techniques. This course heightens their awareness of how they can provide support to other young people.
Young people devise measures adapted to the needs that arise at school or in their own immediate environement. Examples of this could be surveys measuring well-being or organising special theme days devoted to the psychosocial environment at school.
Students who participate in STEP gain an overview of the agencies offering help locally. They learn about topics such as mental health, friendship, coping skills, sexuality and self-image.
Young people who are chosen to be counsellors will receive training and guidance.
Target group: Upper secondary students
This programme is originally from Irland. One of Norway’s leading children’s charities, Voksne for Barn (‘Adults for Children’), manages STEP in Norway
