“I am very supportive of peer mentoring as a method of helping young people to help each other. It can be used to resolve disputes and encourage friendships for children who might otherwise struggle to fit in or to feel at home in their school.”

Ed Balls, MP, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families

Introduction to peer mentoring

What is peer mentoring?

The information in this introduction is designed to answer frequently asked questions about how peer mentoring works and where it can have a positive impact.

Peer mentoring is traditionally a one-to-one non-judgemental relationship in which participants are of a similar age or have shared a similar experience.

Peer mentoring can also be an umbrella term to encompass a range of peer support activities including:

buddying
peer mediation
group mentoring
cyber-mentoring

Peer mentoring can achieve a range of positive outcomes

improved attainment
improved behaviour
improved attendance
improved well-being
reduction in bullying

Peer mentoring can address a range of strategies

Every child matters	Aim higher
Healthy schools	Positive activities
Social and emotional aspects of learning	Widening participation
Anti bullying policy	Enrichment
Inclusion policy	Youth justice
Pastoral support	Neet strategy
Behaviour policy	14-19 reform agenda

Peer mentoring can support a wide range of needs groups

Students looking to improve attainment	Young parents
Disabled young people	Sex and relationship education
Black and minority ethnic groups	Students in transition
Young people in the NEET category	Mental health
Drug, alchohol and substance misuse	Young carers
Young offenders	Students at risk of exclusion
Young homeless people and child runaways	Retention

Peer mentoring can be implemented in a range of settings

MBF supports peer mentoring programmes in a range of settings including:

primary and secondary schools
further education colleges and universities
voluntary and community organisations
local authorities

Support available

Organisations can access training, resources and guidance offered by MBF through our national peer mentoring programme.

MBF has also worked in partnership with projects to produce promotional videos to highlight good practice in peer mentoring, showcasing how this type of intervention can transform individual lives: