Aims:

• One to one mentoring to tackle the root causes of offending and reoffending
• Engaging clients whose social exclusion, sense of powerlessness and sense of entitlement make them vulnerable to gang culture and criminal activity
• Encourage positive lifestyle choices, by challenging and changing attitudes and values that contribute to entrenchment in a gang lifestyle

Description:

Spark2Life have developed an 8-10 weeks package of 1-hour sessions of holistic person-centered mentoring aimed at gang involved offenders and ex-offenders aimed at 13-18-year-old with complex needs.

Each mentoring relationship starts with an initial assessment which, looks at the individual’s needs, circumstances and motivations.

The package includes 6 main sessions -

1. Gangs,
2. Risk and Reward
3. Managing Conflict
4. React or Respond
5. Triggers
6. There’s more in you

The package of support can be tailored to fit the individual’s needs by supplementary mentoring sessions covering:

• Emotional intelligence
• Paradigm shifting
• Personality types, learning styles, strengths and weaknesses
• Personal development and personal goals.
• Relationships (parents, carer)
• Friendship circles
• Career aspirations
• Education, training and Employment

Spark2life have been working with Barking and Dagenham YOT (since 2010)  Havering YOT (since 2012) Waltham Forest YOT(since 2012) and Newham YOT (2017)

Implementing the Practice:

The S2L AQA accredited mentors meets the client in a safe environment. An initial assessment will be made, and the mentor will focus on building a relationship and discovering what the young person’s skills and interests are.

Mentors use the Spark2life networks of employment, training and apprenticeship providers (which include City Gateway, Department for Work and Pensions, Crisis, Peabody, St Giles) in the following sectors - construction, electrical engineering, catering, sports and Leisure, the motor industry to name a few. to offer the young person the following opportunities

• CV writing skills
• Developing good interview techniques,
• Support in applying for apprenticeships and jobs.

S2L provide YOT worker with detailed weekly case notes covering the 1-21 session content, aims and objectives,

S2L monitor each young person’s response to the session, staff member and engagement reporting back to YOT (via CJSM) with case notes

S2L meet with the YOT coordinator for a quarterly report on the 1-2-1 Mentoring contract

Contacts: