Look beyond the visible difficulty.
Disengagement can take different forms. A young person may stop participating, lose confidence or struggle to see a purpose in learning. Begin by listening rather than assuming that the behaviour tells the whole story.
Make the next step theirs.
An Asset-Based approach recognises interests, abilities and ambitions. A mentor can help connect these to a practical goal, giving the young person an active role in deciding what to work towards.
Build connection around that purpose.
Consistency and realistic goals give the relationship direction. Review what is changing with the young person and the adults supporting them. Progress should be understood in context, not reduced to a single attendance or attainment figure.
From the ECNM journal
This reading edition adapts our published work. Explore the original articles below.