What we do: 1:1 mentoring

Summary:
Sessions between a mentor & young person are usually between 30 – 60 minutes on a once per week basis, sometimes fortnightly. Mentoring can run for between 6 weeks to around 12 months (or longer) depending on need and circumstance and what the young person makes of it.

Who uses our mentoring service?
We receive requests for mentoring intervention from: Primary and Secondary schools in Stratford-upon-Avon; Henley-in-Arden; Alcester; Studley; Chipping Campden through school Senior Management Teams; Pastoral Heads; Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators; Common Assessment Framework (CAF) Officers and Family Support Workers; Other statutory agencies such as Connexions, Warks Youth & Community Service, Social Services; Direct from parents / families of young people

Where does mentoring take place?
Sessions usually take place within quiet, safe places in Schools / Colleges across the Stratford district, and in the community based around activities (e.g. sport, art, volunteering...). Occasionally mentoring takes place within a young person's home when specific safeguards are in place.

How does one to one work happen?
1. Once we have received a completed and authorised Mentoring Intervention Request form and Risk Assessment (see FORMS) we match a mentor to the young person and the mentor will be in contact to arrange a first session.

2. We like to find out how the young person likes to learn best (and easiest)

3. We take time to listen and observe, putting the person before the ‘problem’. We agree what sort of things would be good to stick to so both get the most out of the sessions and what the boundaries are

4. We identify what the young person wants to happen as a result of the mentoring (“outcomes”). To help with this, the young person completes a simple questionnaire based on Every Child Matters outcomes which is used at the start to help identify areas for change and what they want to achieve...and again at the close of the mentoring relationship to see what's changed and celebrate progress

5. Confidential notes are kept from each session and kept securely. We do not pass on any personal information without a young person’s permission

6. Mentors do not usually make contact with parents unless there is an agreement at the outset or there are risks to be discussed

What next?
Contact us to find out if this service is what you need and then complete the
relevant FORMS