MBF regularly conducts surveys and consultations with providers of mentoring and befriending services in order to map current provision and to obtain practitioners views on a range of issues.
An audit of peer mentoring provision within primary schools was carried out in December 2007. Research showed that there was a growing need for peer support in a primary setting and MBF made several recommendations for developing peer mentoring programmes in primary schools, including encouraging schools to work towards and achieve
ASDAN and MBF’s quality standard the
Approved Provider Standard accreditation.
Read the full position paper
An audit was carried out in order to map the provision of peer mentoring as a support service for young people. The results showed an increased awareness and understanding of the benefits of peer mentoring and a general shift towards incorporating its use into a wider support strategy in FE. 54% indicated that although they were not currently running a peer mentoring programme, they would like support from MBF to help set one up.
Through its regional network of co-ordinators, more than 1,300 consultations have taken place with projects to ascertain the nature of the support work they offer and the level of support that they themselves require from the MBF. As a result of this feedback, MBF have set up nine Regional Advisory Groups to create a cohesive regional infrastructure feeding into a National Advisory Council.
Take part in the national mapping exercise
A survey of mentoring and befriending projects across the country resulted in a remarkable response with over 700 co-ordinators and volunteers responding and 97% expressing a wish to see a nationally-recognised award/qualification structure developed for volunteers, mentors, befrienders and co-ordinators. MBF has taken this further with a number of workshops across the country to discuss the options for developing an award/qualification structure. MBF is now in discussion with appropriate government department and Sector Skills Councils to take this work forward.
Read more about our accreditation work
A sector-wide consultation resulted in the development of a national training programme for project co-ordinators and staff. Initially piloted in four regions the range of courses on offer reflects the needs of practitioners and covers all the aspects involved in successfully managing and operating a mentoring or befriending programme including how to set up a programme, training of volunteers, managing risk and developing a funding plan. Over 250 mentoring and befriending practitioners attended the programme and 94% rated the overall course as good or excellent.
View all up and coming training courses
