Value of mentoring recognised in “New Opportunities” White Paper

26 January 2009

The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation welcomes the recognition and importance of the role of mentoring and peer mentoring in future education, business and within the socio-economic strategy for Britain as mapped out in the far reaching Government White Paper “New Opportunities – Fair Chances for the Future.”

Sarah Willey, National Education Contracts Manager said:

“I am particularly pleased to see the recognition of peer mentoring as a means to raise the aspirations of young people with the potential for higher education. Graduates from lower income families can help others to see that a university education is attainable.

“The roll-out of one-to-one support, coupled with a personalised learning strategy are exciting initiatives which will help to engage all young people.”

From early years to higher education or in dealing with the consequences of unemployment and social issues, the White Paper makes numerous references to the contribution to be made by mentoring or peer mentoring in the development of young people and adults in creating new opportunities for a better future.

The White Paper sets out a long term plan (up to 2012) for giving every child and adult the opportunity to achieve the best and highest standards of social mobility in order to compete as young adults in an expanding global employment market.

By Autumn 2012 young people from low income families will receive support and mentoring to achieve their full potential through education with encouragement to aim for university education

• Young people from families with no experience of higher education will receive mentoring, advice and support towards further education or university
• £1m for National Challenge schools to fund a Higher Education experience at Key Stage 3 which could include mentoring of young students by former pupil graduates.
• Additional mentoring and support for gifted and talented pupils from disadvantaged families
• £60m investment in mental health support for children and young people to include new counselling and peer mentoring programmes for children going through family breakdown – to be delivered through 1,500 schools
• National scheme for care leavers encouraging employers to guarantee an offer of training, mentoring and access to jobs with guaranteed apprenticeship for all suitably qualified care leavers (under 25) from September 2009
• New mentoring approaches to further support business start-ups to be explored with pilot study of online business and enterprise mentor networks for young people to begin this Spring
• Increasing aspirations by creating inspiring communities – mentoring initiatives may be part of this

The Government says that by investing in skills and people we can provide better jobs, wages and prospects in the years to come.

Sarah Willey adds:

We particularly welcome the government’s ongoing commitment to the Third Sector as partners to drive change.

”The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation looks forward to playing its part towards achieving the many objectives of the White Paper and working as a partner with the various agencies and government departments who will also be involved in this important strategy.”

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