Mentorship, Rehabilitation and Career Development

A 21-year-old was referred by London Probation Service after receiving a court order for drug offences. The mentoring intervention focused on fostering personal growth by exploring career paths and enhancing employability.

YP8, a 21-year-old young man, was referred to Wipers Youth by London Probation Service. He was sentenced to a two-year court order for drug offences. The referral came with concerns about YP8's limited use of time when he was not working and the potential impact on his rehabilitation. 

There were also safety considerations, due to gang ties, restricting YP8 from going to specific locations. The primary aims of the mentoring intervention were to support YP8 in exploring alternative career paths, improving his employability skills, and widening his horizons beyond his current construction work.

At the start:

YP8 presented as a calm, composed and focused individual, principally focused on earning money, driving his car and spending time with his loved ones. He was already self-employed as a hod- carrier in construction but was open to exploring new career opportunities in the industry. Initially, YP8 appeared somewhat reserved in communication but demonstrated a clear desire for career progression.

The mentor observed that YP8 was well-adjusted, disciplined, and responsible. This was reflected in his attitude towards work and his high scores on the Justice Star Questionnaire (JSQ) in areas such as ‘Friends & Community’, ‘Accommodation’, ‘Wellbeing’, and ‘Mental Health’. 

However, he scored lower on ‘Positive Use of Time’, likely impacted by his long working hours out of the area. As a result, YP8 often felt exhausted at the end of the day, so he would spend his free time catching up on sleep or seeing his girlfriend, rather than developing skills, or participating in training or meaningful hobbies. YP8 showed a willingness to engage with the mentoring process, agreeing to meet regularly, and inputting into an action plan to achieve his goals. He demonstrated a proactive attitude to his personal and professional development during sessions.

Work completed: Achievements & Challenges

The mentor successfully connected YP8 with Plias Resettlement, an advice and guidance organisation providing a range of services to support those who have offended. Collaboratively, they set goals focusing on career and skills development. Throughout the mentoring process, YP8 exhibited notable personal growth - becoming more open in discussions and showing increased self- awareness. YP8 expressed a keenness for more skilled and better paid construction positions, including specialist machinery roles and in the longer term, construction management, and he was supported to explore options by both the mentor and Pilas Resettlement.

 However, the journey was not without challenges. Some career development programmes were initially oversubscribed, requiring patience and persistence. And YP8's work commitments occasionally necessitated phone sessions rather than in-person meetings. An attempt to connect YP8 with Ideal Crew Services for rigging opportunities also did not materialise due to scheduling conflicts with YP8’s work, which was a priority for him; he did not miss a day. Despite these obstacles, the mentoring relationship remained productive, culminating in a successful handover to the Probation Officer with continued support from Plias Resettlement.

Areas of Strengths and Development:

YP8 demonstrated impressive abilities throughout the mentoring process, including strong self-motivation and adaptability. His high scores on the Justice Star Questionnaire reflected his capability in managing personal responsibilities effectively. YP8's forward-thinking approach and willingness to invest in his own development were particularly notable and included him having savings and a plan to invest in construction courses to further his career.

 Much of the intervention’s success was found in the relationship itself. YP8 expressed gratitude for being heard and for the efforts made to support his career plans. He was able to reflect on turning his life around and making better choices. YP8 talked about gradually becoming a voice of reason for his pro-offending friends and shared how proud he was of setting a positive example and breaking free from negative peer pressure. Some areas for growth were identified, primarily in time management, work-life balance and expanding his professional network. Moving forward, it was identified that YP8 would benefit from continued engagement with Plias Resettlement and regular check-ins with his Probation Officer to track progress. Exploring additional vocational training options would also have further enhanced his skillset and employability.