Researchers are calling for investment in evidence-backed mentoring and befriending initiatives for care-experienced children and young people after analysis found they can boost mental health, reduce trauma and cut offending. A systematic review of 58 research studies shows that such programmes, which are available patchily across the UK, can even help keep families together long term.
Foundations, the Department for Education-funded what works centre for children and families, has published recommendations for practitioners alongside the findings in a mentoring and befriending practice guide. It lists ‘strong’ evidence for one-to-one mentoring boosting mental health and reducing post-traumatic symptoms for those who have experienced significant harm, especially for children aged nine to 11 years old.
This support can also help local authorities to meet their statutory duty to provide independent visitors (IV) for looked after children, says Foundations. According to charity Barnardos, just 3.3% of these children have access to an IV – a volunteer mentor – in England. Read more.
