Mentoring for Success: Enhancing Professional Skills to Support Young People In A Pupil Referral Unit
Mentoring For Success: Enhancing Professional Skills To Support Young People In A PRU.
Written By: Ross Thompson
My Role and Vision
I am a Resilience & Mindset Life Coach. I also proudly serve as the Strategic Safeguarding Manager at a Pupil Referral Unit in South East London – a role I am both passionate about and deeply committed to.
I lead and manage a team of skilled Outreach Workers who provide day-to-day mentoring support to children and young people.
As part of my ongoing vision to evolve the team into the most effective and impactful force, ensuring we make a lasting difference in the lives of the young people we support, I regularly provide training and support.
Recently, I delivered my Strategic Mentoring Training to push us further along this journey.
The Purpose of Strategic Mentoring Training
The Strategic Mentoring Training focused on equipping professionals with the skills necessary to become high-impact mentors for young people aged 11-18.
We explored the vital role a mentor plays in guiding young people through their personal challenges, whether these are related to home life, school or the wider community.
By understanding the importance of a mentor's role, the participants could better appreciate the responsibility and the potential they hold in fostering resilience and promoting positive change in the young individuals they support.
The Importance of Trust and Connection
One of the key themes we discussed during the training was the value of having someone trustworthy to talk to.
Young people, particularly those navigating complex emotional or social lives, often benefit immensely from the presence of a mentor who can offer guidance, understanding and a listening ear. Mentors not only provide advice but also empower young people to take charge of their personal growth, thereby building resilience and a positive mindset.
Professional Boundaries and Self-Care
The training also addressed the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, knowing when to signpost to additional services, and ensuring self-care to prevent burnout. These aspects are crucial for mentors to sustain their effectiveness and to provide the consistent, reliable support that young people need.
Through role-playing exercises and group discussions, participants honed their skills in these areas, preparing them to manage the challenges they may encounter in their mentoring roles.
Positive Feedback and Outcomes
Feedback from the Outreach Team has been overwhelmingly positive, with many participants expressing increased confidence in their ability to mentor effectively.
They left the session with a deeper understanding of how to create student-focused, purposeful, and accessible mentoring sessions.
More importantly, they are now better equipped to empower the young people they work with, helping them to navigate their challenges and emerge stronger and more resilient.
Join the next Strategic Mentoring Training
If you are a professional who works with young people, or if you are considering taking on a mentoring role, my Strategic Mentoring Training could be the perfect opportunity to enhance your skills and make a meaningful impact.
Whether you are a Learning Mentor, Youth Worker, or in a similar role, this training will help you build confidence, advance your one-to-one sessions, and ultimately, change lives for the better.
Book your place today for the next online group session and take the first step towards becoming a more effective mentor.
Ross Thompson
Empowering and upskilling young people, adults, professionals and parents through specialist coaching and intervention.
Contact Me Today
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