Young Person Mentor Qualification At a Glance:
- Level: Accredited Level 3 (Practitioner).
- Target Audience: Teachers, TAs, Progress Coaches, and Pastoral staff in Secondary, FE, and AP.
- Core Themes: Adolescent mental health, behavioural interventions, and SEND.
- Study Commitment: 30–50 hours (flexible virtual learning).
- Unit Structure: 15-minute “micro-learning” units for busy schedules.
- Cost: £1,190 + VAT (Payment plans available).
The Mental Health Foundation reported that 20% of adolescents may experience a mental health problem in any given year, whilst 75% of mental health problems are established by age 24. Therefore, being able to provide meaningful support for young people is more important than ever.
Who is this course for?
This course was designed for teachers, teaching assistants, learning mentors and other pastoral staff in secondary, further education, and alternative provision settings. Young person mentor training is ideal for those who work in areas such as post-16 support, exclusion prevention, and career transitions.
Course overview
The Young Person Mentor Qualification is a level 3 course specifically created for staff working in secondary schools and further education. It focuses on practical skills for delivering evidence-based interventions for secondary school pastoral care, such as to address behavioural issues, SEND provision and mental health challenges faced by students.
This includes applicable knowledge for assessing, planning, and delivering interventions, using dynamic approaches and toolkits that can be adapted to a range of scenarios, whether for individuals or groups. Staff are trained to recognise the underlying causes of students’ behaviour- be they social, emotional, or mental health difficulties- so that they can most effectively address issues, thereby supporting the ‘Personal Development’ criteria for Ofsted and ISI inspections
Comparison: General Mentoring vs. The Young Person Mentor Specialist
| Feature | General Mentoring | Young Person Mentor Specialist |
| Developmental Focus | Adult-orientated | Adolescent psychology & development |
| Context | Professional/workplace | Educational/AP/FE settings |
| Safeguarding | Standard | Specialist (education sector specific) |
| Approach | Outcome-led | Mental health & wellbeing led |
| Toolkits | Generic | Adapted for student engagement and SEND |
Mentoring as a Strategy for Exclusion Prevention
Our Young Person Mentor Qualification provides staff with the theoretical depth and practical toolkits required to intervene before a student reaches the point of exclusion.
1. Identifying the ‘Functional’ Cause of Behaviour
Exclusion is often the result of unmet SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) needs. Our training moves staff away from reactive discipline and towards an understanding of what a student’s behaviour is communicating—whether it is an avoidance of learning, a cry for help, or a response to trauma.
2. The Tiered Intervention Approach
We provide a structured framework for delivering tiered support. By identifying “at-risk” students early, mentors can implement 1:1 “re-engagement” plans that provide the student with the emotional regulation tools needed to remain in the classroom.
3. Rebuilding the Pupil-School Bond
Mentoring provides a “trusted adult” relationship that is distinct from the traditional teacher-student hierarchy. This bridge is essential for students who have become alienated from the school environment, helping to reduce persistent absence and defiance.
4. Data-Driven Reporting for AP and Senior Leads
The qualification teaches mentors how to document the impact of their interventions. This provides Senior Leadership Teams (SLT) and Governors with the robust evidence required to show that “reasonable adjustments” have been made for the student, supporting the school’s legal and ethical obligations.
How does this qualification support student mental health in secondary schools?
With 75% of mental health problems established by age 24, secondary school staff are on the frontline. Our qualification provides a mental health led framework that helps staff recognise early warning signs and deliver structured interventions that address the root causes of student distress rather than just the resulting behaviour.
Is this course applicable for Further Education (FE) Progress Coaches?
Yes. The course has been specifically adapted to meet the needs of those working with students aged 16–24. It covers the transition into adulthood and the specific social and emotional challenges faced by students in colleges and post-16 settings.
What practical tools are included in the ‘Young Person Mentor’ toolkit?
The qualification includes a range of dynamic approaches for both 1:1 and group sessions. Learners gain access to toolkits for assessing student needs, planning tiered interventions, and tracking the impact of their support – providing the evidence required for internal reporting and Ofsted/ISI inspections.
Can this training help reduce school exclusions?
By training staff to understand the social and emotional drivers of challenging behaviour, the course empowers mentors to intervene before issues escalate. This proactive approach is a key component of exclusion prevention strategies in many secondary and Alternative Provision settings.
Young Person’s Mentor Qualification Self-study
Price is £1190 + VAT at 20%. If paying by invoice, please select Invoice at the checkout and we will email you an invoice.
Young Person’s Mentor Qualification Self-study Payment Plan
Prices include VAT at 20%
“I now feel that I will be able to combine my student facing experience with an awareness of mental health difficulties in young people as a result of this programme.”
Previous young person mentor learner
To learn more about the impact of being a young person’s mentor, check out our recent blog posts 5 Essential Tips for Staff Delivering Interventions for Student Behavioural Issues and How Student Behaviour Can Be Improved Through Mentoring
If you have any questions feel free to contact us by email hello@thementoringschool.com or by phone 02381 120010