Education Mentoring Case Study

Discover How Our Education Mentoring Programme Makes a Difference

When Sarah* and her parents, Emma* and James*, reached out to us, they were navigating a significant milestone in their lives. Sarah, their 16-year-old adopted daughter, was about to transition from secondary school to college, and the family needed extra support. Sarah had an EHCP, which helped with her learning needs, but the transition was overwhelming for everyone involved. 

Sarah’s parents were referred to our education mentoring programme by their social worker, hoping we could guide them through this transition process. Sarah’s biggest challenges were settling into a new environment, making friends, and ensuring that her college understood her unique needs.  

Through our Transitions Service, we offered six tailored one-hour mentoring sessions to help guide Emma and James, which was then extended to nine sessions, ensuring they received all the support they needed. These sessions were designed to empower them as parents, giving them the tools and confidence to support Sarah’s educational journey.  

During the sessions, Emma worked closely with a Parent Partner - someone who had also adopted a child and had experience in supporting older teens. Together, they set three key goals for Sarah; settling into college, making new friends and ensuring her college understood her specific needs. 

Three sessions were scheduled during the summer term, helping Emma and James prepare for Sarah’s transition. They learned how to communicate effectively with the college, ensuring Sarah's needs would be understood and met from day one. Sarah was also introduced to youth groups specifically for adopted teens, where she successfully connected with peers who shared similar life experiences.  

Once Sarah began college, the remaining sessions focused on helping her manage new challenges. These included dealing with the disappointment of not passing her GCSEs, balancing resits, and even exploring part-time employment. We also provided access to a private Facebook group, moderated by Parent Partners, which gave Emma a safe space to share experiences, ask questions, and feel supported by a community who truly understood her situation. 

Reflecting on her experience, Emma shared:   

“Working with our Parent Partner has been such a relief. I don’t have much contact with other adoptive parents, especially those with older children, so being able to speak to someone who understands has been a lifeline. The consistent support and ongoing contact helped me build a rapport that I truly needed during this time.”

Emma is now part of our secondary education Facebook group and finds comfort knowing that Parent Partners are available live each week. She feels empowered, more confident in advocating for Sarah, and ready to tackle the challenges ahead. - Click Here To Learn More About Our Peer Support Programmes

*Names have been changed to protect the family’s privacy.*

We currently run education peer support programmes in Yorkshire & Humber, Staffordshire, and Hertfordshire. If you are in these areas and would like to find out how you could benefit from the service, please contact [email protected]. Alternatively, if you are interested in learning how your organisation can commission or fund this vital service in your area, please contact [email protected].