Citation

Busse H, Campbell R, Kipping R. Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 2018; 95: 95-108.

Affiliation

Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.10.028

PMID

30581244

PMCID

PMC6294841

Abstract

Mentoring programmes are commonplace, yet little is known about the circumstances in which they operate. This study aimed to gain insight into the context surrounding youth mentoring programmes by asking programme managers and experts in the United Kingdom about their experiences. Telephone interviews with twenty-three programme managers and five experts were undertaken. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed iteratively using thematic analysis. Contextual influences at the individual-, interpersonal-, organisational-, community-, policy-, and societal-level were identified to impact on programme's development, delivery and maintenance and were summarised in a model. This study further found that youth mentoring programmes operate within a complex context. This context provides challenges and opportunities that impact on programme's sustainability; resulting in many externally-funded programmes to 'hang by a thread'. It is important for service providers, commissioners and academics to recognise the complexity surrounding mentoring programmes to ensure that programmes are delivered as intended and evaluated appropriately.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescent; Context; Expert (E); Manager (M); Mentoring program; Qualitative research; United Kingdom; United Kingdom (UK); United States of America (USA)