The young people mentoring programme implements an early intervention approach, providing a tailored one to one mentoring service to disadvantaged young people aged 10-17. Young people are referred to Shaathi by Tower Hamlets Children’s Social Care, Schools and other agencies. These young people may be in care, on the young person protection register or known to Social Services, Schools and family support services but are not receiving any statutory support or services to address all their needs/challenges. These young people may be or have:
- At risk of becoming excluded from School
- Engaged in anti-social behaviour
- Low educational achievement due to circumstances outside school
- Low self-confidence, esteem and career aspirations
- Behaviours of Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), for example:
- Argues frequently with adults
- Easily angered, irritated or annoyed
- Refuses to obey rules
- Deliberately trying to annoy or aggravate others
- Low frustration threshold
- Frequent temper tantrums
- Behaviours of Conduct Disorder (CD), for example:
- Frequent refusal to obey parents or other authority figures
- Repeated truancy
- Lack of empathy for others
- Frequent lying
The programme seeks to enable and support clients to overcome different challenges and barriers in their day to day lives. Mentors are matched to clients who need and want a caring and responsible adult who will steer and guide them back on track. Shaathi seeks to connect its clients to a positive role model. Mentors provide advice, guidance, practical assistance, emotional support, encouragement and adopt a non-judgemental attitude towards the client’s life – these may be issues relating to family, housing, bullying, health, relationship and so forth. The service is strictly confidential as well as person centred.
The Young People Mentoring Programme has adopted an ethos that believes positive change can occur through a person centred relationship built on certain care conditions such as empathy, acceptance and sincerity.
One to One Sessions
The one to one mentoring will be between 1 to 2 hours weekly and the mentor will help the young person to deal with their immediate issues and support them to achieve their longer term goals. Each mentoring relationship will last for up to 6 months. An Individual Action Plan (IAP) will be drawn up and complied in consultation with each client based on issues, needs and challenges identified as well as hobbies and interests.
The one to one mentoring will give the young person the opportunity to talk to someone without judgement, explore their feelings, receive impartial information, advice and help facilitate positive changes. The mentor will use a variety of engagement methods to work with the young person to address their difficulties and improve their relationship at home and outside.
Where can mentoring take place?
Mentoring can take place at the following locations or venues:
- Schools
- Home
- Youth and Community Centres
- Public Parks
- Cafes
- Idea Store