Young people who are accessing education through a pupil referral unit (PRU) can be among the most hard to engage. By the time they arrive at a PRU, these young people will have experienced multiple challenging situations that are likely to have left them reeling and emotionally scarred. We know there is a lack of support for this vulnerable population. But we also know these young people are at a critical point in their lives. Fail to provide them with the support, positive relationship modelling and encouragement they need, and the consequences could be devastating.
With nobody challenging their negative worldview or their thoughts about themselves, the outlook can be bleak.
But get it right, and the future can be whatever they want it to be. Our Challenging Me mentoring programme for PRUs is a dynamic series of targeted support mechanisms and interventions that helps to promote growth and positive wellbeing among this most vulnerable population. We work with educational settings and external support services to design an individualised package of support for each young person, ensuring they are always getting the right kind of support, in the way that will make the most difference for them. Through this bespoke programme, we are able to create a safe, nurturing, non-judgemental space in which our mentors can encourage these young people to recognise and restructure the thoughts and behaviours that are holding them back.
We help to tackle the underlying beliefs these young people have about themselves and the world around them.
We encourage them to reflect on the relationships that have shaped them, and we support them to become more confident and resilient. Our mentors have been where these young people are; they have faced the same challenges and, with grit and determination, have made it to the other side.
Young people who experience persistent social, emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties are more vulnerable to drug and alcohol use, exploitation, knife crime, gang affiliation, criminality and prison. Drawing on their own real-life experiences, our mentors are able to create an environment of unwavering trust, respect and safety. We are able to reach and engage with these young people fundamentally, and on their level. We ask young people to reflect on their experiences and think about the way they see themselves.
We inspire the young person to challenge their thought and behaviour patterns and to take control of and responsibility for their decisions.
We help build their self-esteem, confidence and trust, and teach them techniques for self-regulation and de-escalation. And we teach them alternative and effective ways of communicating with the people and the world around them so that they are better equipped to navigate and nurture the relationships in their lives.
The benefits of working with us
By acknowledging the experiences and underlying challenges faced by young people in PRUs, we help them reflect on the circumstances that have led them to where they are now, and help them recognise the power they have in shaping their own lives going forward. Many of our young people have gone on to live happy, fulfilling and authentic lives, with a renewed sense of purpose and a more positive view of themselves and the world.
EMPOWERMENT
We help to empower the young person to make positive, sustainable change.
ENGAGEMENT
We help to reduce conflict and increase engagement in the setting.
GROWTH
We help support growth by providing time, space and encouragement.
RESULTS
Through targeted, individualised support we drive meaningful results.
Impact Pupil Referral Unit
TP was referred to our service because he was struggling with social, emotional and behavioural issues which were presenting as violence and aggression towards staff and other pupils. TP had completely disengaged from school following an incident and was not actively participating in any form of education.
The first time I met Dave & Ian, I was working in a large high school in Manchester as a coordinator for ethnic minority achievement. Some of the pupils were having running battles, with groupings split firmly along ethnic lines, and the school had brought them in to try to stem the escalating violence. The techniques they used were eclectic but effective. The incidents of fights between different racial groups dropped to zero.
Mark Darbey
They understand, first hand, the pressures on teenagers in the inner city. They bridge the gulf between teacher and pupil, pupil and parent, and parent and school. The pupils hang on his every word, their respect self-evident. The year before, there had been seven expulsions. After the mentors arrived, there was one.
Oliver Swanton
There are no words to describe my mentor and how great he is. If I had to choose one word to describe the programme it would be Amazing! I didn’t think anything would help me but joining the programme was the best choice I ever made. My mentoring programme helped me to realise I can do things, not that I might be able to, that I can do this! I would recommend this programme to anyone.
Mentee – aged 16
Challenge Me has been an engaging programme for all of our young people in our residential placements. The mentors are hard hitting and can really relate to the young people through using their real life experiences. We have seen a significant change in behaviours and how the young people use coping mechanisms as a result of working with their mentor. We especially like that each mentor is matched appropriately with each young person, taking into consideration their needs. We would recommend the mentoring programme to other residential providers as we have found it massively beneficial for our young people.
Ana – Operations Manager for Triangle Care Residential.
We have seen an increase in attendance, behaviour and improvement in home life from the several pupils we have working with Challenge Me. I believe this is through having a 1:1 mentor and an individual programme that has been tailored to fit them. The young people see the mentors as good role models; who listens to them and understands their needs/issues. I would certainly promote the programme as being unique, bespoke, supportive, reliable, engaging and professional.
Debi Capper – Alternative Provision Coordinator at Impact Pupil Referral Unit
My grandson has a lot of very complex issues going on in his life and his mentor had a certain way of interacting with him, getting him to open up, which is something he finds difficult to do with his family. During his time on the programme his attitude and approach to these issues has definitely improved. We as a family can’t thank the mentor enough for the commitment to my grandson and his wellbeing.
Lynn Wright – Parent/Guardian
Ops Manager