Mentor a Young Teenager

Mentor a Young Teenager document Mentor a Young Teenager document

This Secondary School programme is for young people who are nearing their GCSE exams. The adult mentor supports the young person by working with them on a variety of topics aimed at helping them understand and achieve their potential. Meeting timing and frequency are agreed between the mentor and mentee.

Evidence shows, that for some young people a mentor can be a lifeline to achieving potential. This can be measured in terms of academic attainment and social and emotional well being.

What is a mentor ?
"A one to one supportive relationship with a young person in which the young person is able to set the agenda relevant to their current needs. To talk about, and possibly resolve concerns related to their education and personal development" (Bristol Children and Young People's Service)

"A positive role model, an advisor, an experienced friend. Somebody from outside a person's immediate circle taking a special interest" (Excellence in Schools, 1997)


Aims:

  • Empower young people in secondary school to achieve their potential
  • Inspire young people to take action on their own behalf
  • Raise young peoples aspirations

Key Points

  • Centred upon the needs of the young person
  • Awareness sessions, framework and guidance
  • Young people volunteer to have a mentor
  • Evaluations show high levels of impact
  • Long term sustainable relationships

How the programme works

ABLAZE brokers agreement between school and business. Ensures staffing structure, aims and objectives for mentoring are in place.

School identifies a group of pupils who will benefit from mentoring and asks pupils to volunteer and runs selection process.

School ensures that parents are aware that their child is being mentored by a volunteer

ABLAZE provides all support material to the school and the business to ensure full understanding

Business appoints co-ordinator . ABLAZE assists recruit volunteer mentors who commit to two hours per month at times arranged between mentor and mentee

Training and support

All volunteers must complete a disclosure form from the Criminal Records Bureau

Three hour awareness sessions for mentors provided by ABLAZE

Initial "Getting to know you" session for volunteers and their mentees attended by school and business co-ordinators and the Head Teacher

School provides a meeting place and relevant times for meeting and mentors visit school at mutually agreeable times

School and ABLAZE run review sessions additional training and complete evaluations of process and impact

Opportunities for visits to mentor's work place can be organised

School helps promote awareness of the business input with the local community

Cost

There is no cost beyond the volunteers time and travel to and from the school. Training and CRB checks are provided.