Building the Network: Referral Pathways and Ongoing Connection

Establishing clear referral processes and maintaining communication between services maximizes PEERS' impact within the broader support network for neurodivergent youth. 

The next PEERS program intake is scheduled to begin in September 2025, with referrals now being accepted on a rolling basis through our secure online portal. Referrals can be submitted by mental health professionals, educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, pediatricians, or school SENCOs using the standardized referral form that captures key information about social challenges, current support, and motivation for participation. Our multidisciplinary team reviews referrals monthly, with priority given to young people approaching key transitions, those experiencing significant social isolation despite motivation for connection, and cases where social difficulties appear to be maintaining mental health challenges despite other appropriate interventions¹. 

To support effective service integration, we maintain communication with referring professionals throughout the PEERS program with participant consent. An initial coordination meeting allows for sharing relevant background information and establishing complementary goals between PEERS and other ongoing interventions. Mid-program updates provide progress information that can inform concurrent therapeutic work, while post-program reports detail specific skills mastered, ongoing development areas, and strategies that have proven effective for the individual participant. This collaborative approach ensures PEERS functions as a component within comprehensive support rather than an isolated intervention². 

We actively encourage ongoing professional connection through several channels designed to build community understanding of social skills support. Our quarterly PEERS professional forums provide opportunities to discuss challenging cases, share implementation strategies, and explore emerging research. The PEERS practitioner network facilitates resource-sharing and peer supervision for those implementing PEERS-based approaches within their services. Additionally, we offer annual training workshops for professionals interested in incorporating PEERS principles into their practice, with CPD certification available³. These connection opportunities reflect our commitment to building sustainable capacity for supporting neurodivergent social development across educational, health, and community settings. 

References 

¹ Cooper, R. E., Saunders, K. R. K., Greenburgh, A., Shah, P., Appleton, R., Machin, K., ... & Johnson, S. (2024). The effectiveness, implementation, and experiences of peer support approaches for mental health: a systematic umbrella review. BMC Medicine, 22, Article number: 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03260-y 

² Gillard, S., Foster, R., White, S., Bhattacharya, R., Binfield, P., Eborall, R., ... & Worner, J. (2024). Implementing peer support into practice in mental health services: a qualitative comparative case study. BMC Health Services Research, 24, Article number: 1050. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11447-5 

³ National Association of Peer Supporters. (n.d.). Webinars and Online Courses. Retrieved from https://www.peersupportworks.org/webinar-content-2/