DfE defends £14m mentoring expansion

Under proposals set out last month, the government has set aside £12m to expand existing mentoring programmes with the aim of supporting 25,000 struggling teenagers each year by 2020. The expansion will be backed with a £2m marketing campaign.

But during a debate in parliament yesterday, crossbench peer Baroness Howarth raised concerns that “large and rapid” expansions can cause “serious problems with quality”.

Responding, DfE whip Baroness Evans said the £12m mentoring fund will “scale-up” proven mentoring schemes.

“So quality will be at the very heart of ensuring that young people get access to the kind of schemes that make the most difference for them,” she said.

However, she did concede there is a need to make sure that the schemes are available in areas “where provision is patchiest”.

She said a detailed analysis, published in October by the Careers & Enterprise Company – the organisation in charge of the expansion – highlights where young people need further support and where there needs to be improvement in careers and enterprise provision.

The analysis, she added, means that government can encourage proven schemes to expand into those areas, so that all young people have access to mentoring support.

Baroness Evans also gave some details of how the scheme will work for young people. She said support young people receive will be provided in different ways, such as one-to-one sessions, group working, or work experience.

“We want to help tailor the support that young people get, so the exact support given and the length of the mentoring contract will vary depending on a student’s needs,” she said.

“We want to help tailor the support that young people get, so the exact support given and the length of the mentoring contract will vary depending on a student’s needs,” she added.

Evans was also questioned by Labour peer Baroness Lister on what effect cuts in youth services are having on engaging disengaged young people.

“As I said, mentoring and providing advice and support for young people is clearly a priority,” Evans said.

“We are trying to make sure that excellent schemes that have been proven to have a real impact on young people’s lives are able to access new funding so that young people can fulfil their potential and get the support, help and guidance from inspirational mentors that we know can make a significant difference."