How our programme works

Chance is a registered charity that provides mentoring programmes for five to eleven year olds with behavioural difficulties who are at risk of developing anti-social or criminal offending behaviour later in life. Our innovative, individually tailored programmes are delivered by carefully screened and trained volunteer mentors who are closely supervised and supported in their work. We also offer support to parents.

The children with whom we work are typically very difficult to manage, unable to concentrate on their schoolwork, and/or have problems making friends and following instructions from adults. According to our most recent referral statistics 78% of the children that we work with are from single parent families and 58% receive school meals due to low income. 32% of our children have already faced exclusion from school and many more are at risk of exclusion due to their behaviour. In fact, 62% of the children that we work with are classed as having special educational needs, mostly for their behaviour, whilst only 9% actually have a statement of needs. At referral we also ask about addiction and criminal history in the family. Of those referrals that had this information, 19% of the children have a family member with an addiction problem and 13% have a family member with a criminal history. This is, of course, only what is known by the referrer and so the actual figures is likely to be far higher.

Children are referred to Chance by primary school teachers, social services and other agencies. We assess their behaviour using the tried and tested Goodman Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). If there are a number of significant factors within the child’s school or home environment that are causing stress, we consider these during our assessment. Once a child has been accepted, he or she is matched with a volunteer mentor. The choice of mentor takes account of the child’s interests, needs and circumstances, and any other relevant factors pertaining to either the child or mentor.

The mentor and child meet once a week for a year. Each session lasts between two to four hours. Sessions take place either in the child’s home or at other agreed and appropriate places such as public libraries, community centres, sports halls, museums and public parks.

The first three months of the mentoring relationship constitute the ‘engagement’ phase, during which the mentor and child build a trusting relationship. The next nine months continue the ‘solution focused’ work, during which the child and mentor work towards achieving agreed goals. A meeting takes place between the mentor, child, parents and programme manager at the end of the ‘engagement’ phase to review progress, to identify and agree realistic goals for the next phase, and to reinforce strengths and resources that can be built on. The mentor is required to meet the programme manager a minimum of once a month for supervision and support.

At the end of the mentoring year, every child and mentor graduates from the programme at an event where their achievements over the year are celebrated with family and friends. This gives everyone the chance to acknowledge the progress that has been made and provides a positive ending to the relationship.