Empowering Growth: A Journey of Mentorship and Resilience

This case study highlights the mentoring journey of YP2, a 16-year-old referred to Wipers Youth by a Targeted Youth Support (TYS) service following family breakdown and emotional regulation challenges.

YP2, a 16-year-old, was referred to Wipers Youth by TYS after a breakdown in her relationship with her mother, which led to her being placed in care.

Concerns were raised about her emotional regulation and ability to sustain healthy relationships. YP2 had also been a victim of domestic abuse. The mentoring intervention aimed to encourage her engagement in positive activities and support her in developing healthier relationships.

At the start

At the outset, YP2 appeared anxious, as evident in her body language and hesitancy during discussions.

She often deflected uncomfortable topics and exhibited low self-esteem, frequently speaking negatively about herself. The mentor also observed that YP2 seemed to mirror her peers' experiences to fit in and build relationships.

Limited background information was available initially, but despite her hesitation, YP2 was open to support. The mentor created a comfortable working environment, and together they developed an action plan, which included finding positive activities. YP2 consistently attended sessions punctually and demonstrated a positive attitude toward the process.

Achievements & Challenges

While YP2 was able to attend her appointments, scheduling was sometimes affected by overlapping commitments between her professional network. She fully engaged with her Youth Star Questionnaire (YSQ) assessments, which highlighted ongoing needs around communication and well-being. YP2 was welcomed into a paid advisory role as a Wipers Youth Ambassador and joined the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), reflecting her proactive engagement.

However, challenges arose that hindered the completion of her action plan. For instance, her goal to create a podcast was discontinued due to recurring incidents and concerns over topics such as knife crime. And although YP2 was able to navigate public transport independently, instances of inappropriate behaviour from men while out with her mentor required safeguarding interventions, leading to closer supervision during outings. 

YP2 was referred to CAMHS for intervention. She has been involved in several police-related incidents where she provided inconsistent information, often crying when challenged but stopping when the subject changed. This behaviour was concerning and consistently observed by the mentor.

Other key challenges included YP2’s mother’s limited engagement with services, which restricted coordinated family support, and difficulties arranging regular Team Around the Child (TAC) meetings.

Ensuring YP2 was held accountable for her actions was complicated by inconsistent collaboration between professionals. The mentor reflected on the emotional demands of working with YP2, emphasising the importance of patience and understanding varying working styles within professional networks.

Areas of Strength and Development

YP2 consistently attended mentoring sessions and communicated proactively when unable to attend. She embraced meaningful opportunities, such as representing Wipers at community events and showcasing her creative writing through spoken word. The mentor thought that CAMHS intervention would be important to support YP2’s wellbeing and that an alternative care home placement more tailored to her complex needs could have been beneficial.

Helping YP2 build accountability for conflicting stories was also viewed as essential to foster trust and reduce risks. Strengthening her relationships with friends, family, and professionals was identified as a vital focus, as too building her self-confidence. YP2 demonstrated her potential for growth, particularly in her YAB role, highlighting her capacity for positive development.