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There is no doubt about it, if mentoring is used in an healthy and enabling way it is truly transformational. And a lot of schools and other youth led organisations do use mentoring in a very empowering and encouraging way.

Mentoring programmes that are helpful are inclusive, have broad referral criteria’s and enable all kinds of students to access mentoring support. They also have a diverse set of mentors to deliver the provision. Children are never stigmatised by being included on such programmes because it is well sought after and not seen as a punishment or remedy.

Programmes that do the opposite are used to correct negative behaviour, address emotional problems and used as a get out clause for some staff members who simply just don’t want to deal with the negative spill out of some students in class, so they retort “go to see your mentor!”.

Sometimes this is not the school’s fault or the leader’s because without specific investigation most leaders I have met, are not totally clear what is happening in their mentoring programmes or what it’s impact is. This is responsibility is usually delegated to someone else but unless that someone else is clear and accountable to someone else the programme can become diluted, misguided and a piece meal.

If you want to check to see if your programme is helpful or harmful look at the graph below and ask yourself: which model does our mentoring programme resemble:

If your programme is like the above model then it is helpful and will bolster self esteem, impact personal competence and develop a greater sense of self. Which I truly commend. However if your programme is more like the latter model, it could be harmful for your students as they go through a variety of emotions because of the culture your programme emanates.

Not to worry, as we can help you, achieve your desired outcome for your mentoring programme. To find out more about how we could support you to get the most of your mentoring programme, call us today on: 0800-644-4881 to book a free consultation.

Every Child Needs a Mentor’s purpose is to develop mentoring provision that is inclusive so all children at some point of their educational life can experience the benefit of good mentoring.

So in closing, mentoring is one of the most powerful change agents especially for children and adults but getting the right balance with your programme and its delivery is essential.

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