Looked-After Children Mentoring Scheme (LACMS)
Research has identified that a lower percentage of young people from a looked after background compared to the general population attain educational qualifications and go on to university. Building on this data, conversations with colleagues in the care sector have established a need for students to:
- Increase confidence and motivation
- Experience a positive role model and aspire to this
- Develop a greater number of strategies to achieve within their studies (engage)
- Have a clearer plan of a potential educational and careers progression plan and how to achieve this
- Enrichment experience that supports their personal development
The LAC mentoring strand seeks to engage students from a looked after background in their current school studies and to support them in developing educational and career plans which we hope will lead onto university.
OUR AIM
To provide near peer mentoring for children in care to aid with increasing careleaver progression into higher education.
OUR OBJECTIVES
Undergraduate students from the University of East London with a background or interest in care for young people will befriend and mentor students in years 10/11/12 from schools in our surrounding boroughs. The aim is to compliment the work of borough colleagues.
Students will provide a role model for looked after children and pass on valuable experience and provide an opportunity for the care leaver to ‘sound out’ some of the myths surrounding higher education.
Mentors will help explore and signpost around issues related to:
- Finance
- Accommodation and living
- Fitting in
- Where to get help
- Education
- Student Services on offer
- Support networks
If you would like more information on how to get involved in this scheme, please follow the links below to the relevant area for who you are:
