Mentoring
The Kent Mentoring Service is a countywide service for young
people who are identified by the YOS as being 'at risk' or already
within the youth offending system. It is a positive partnership
between Kent County Council and the national charity Rainer.
Mentoring is a voluntary, one-to-one relationship with
boundaries and aims. It intends to start 'where the young person is
at' and whilst it does often have an impact on offending risk
factors, it is aimed to be a support for young people in the areas
they identify as needing such support. This often includes
confidence, independent living skills, relationship and
communication skills, practical support with benefits, literacy,
exploring work and training opportunities, overcoming peer
pressure/bullying, coping strategies, anger management etc.
All activities undertaken by mentors and mentees are paid for by
the service, including all travel and phone costs incurred. In the
first stage of the relationship, mentor/mentee pairs often
undertake activities that enable a non-threatening, positive
relationship to be developed. This might include meeting in a café,
playing snooker, playing a sport etc.
As the relationship develops, mentors often find that more time
is spent talking and listening, or working towards the aims of the
young person. This is reflected in the types of activities
undertaken. Mentors have taken young people to the job centre,
libraries, careers service, youth clubs etc. Some very creative
work has included mentors assisting young people to set up work
experience placements.
The service works with young people aged between 10 and 17
years, and as a needs-led service, it is planned and reviewed on an
individual basis. Many relationships involve weekly contact for a
period of six to 12 months. In order to develop trust, both
reliability and regularity are key commitments on the part of the
mentor. Mentors have often phoned or written to young people in
weeks that a meeting has not been possible, in order to maintain
the consistency of the developing relationship.
People wishing to
become a mentor are invited to apply, be screened and undertake
a thorough induction programme. This is followed by an individual
interview. Excellent ongoing training and support is provided with
the opportunity for mentors to be accredited to a B-Tec level
three.
Mentoring Programmes
Mentoring pairs a volunteer adult with a young person at risk of
offending. The adult's role is to motivate and support the young
person on the scheme through a sustained relationship over an
extended period of time. The relationship is built upon trust and a
commitment to confidentiality and equality between the mentor and
the young person.
The relationship must be structured and have clearly identified
objectives. These objectives should be to help the young person
identify and achieve educational, vocational or social goals which
address the factors in the young person's life that put them at
risk of offending.
Parenting Programmes
Parenting programmes provide parents with an opportunity to
improve their skills in dealing with the behaviour that puts their
child at risk of offending. They provide parents/carers with
one-to-one advice as well as practical support in handling the
behaviour of their child, setting appropriate boundaries and
improving communication.
By improving the parenting skills of parents/carers, these
programmes are addressing one of the major risk factors associated
with young people at risk of offending.
Parents with a child that has become involved with the youth
justice system may be offered the opportunity to voluntarily attend
a parenting programme by the local Youth Offending Team (Yot), if
they consider that it would be useful. However, if voluntary
participation cannot be achieved, a Parenting Order can be sought
by the Yot which compels the parents/carers of a child at risk to
attend. |