Who are the Support Mentors?
There are two Support Mentors at Malet Lambert: John Legard and Heather Sutcliffe. They both have considerable experience in supporting young people and their families. Their role is to ensure the well-being of pupils that are referred to them but equally important to ensure that each pupil reaches their academic potential. Pupils are referred to the Support Mentors in school and so can access a wide range of support services both inside and outside school.
In carrying out their work with pupils the Support Mentors will ensure:
- All calls from parents/ carers are returned the same day.
- The first interview with the pupil will take place within 2 working days of the referral.
- Contact will be made with parents/ carers of referred pupils within 3 working days of referral.
- Weekly feedback to parents either by email or by telephone each Friday for pupils whose referral includes behavioural issues.
- Parents/carers will be invited to be part of reviews and action planning.
What do they do?
Pupils sometimes need additional support at certain times in their school careers as well as at certain times in their development.
The role of the Support Mentors is to provide this support for a six week period to allow the pupil to function independently again. The type of support provided is specifically tailored for the individual pupil but will often be a combination of internal and external support.
Children in care are also allocated a Support Mentor. Typically a pupil will meet with their allocated mentor once per week or as otherwise agreed with the pupil.
Where are they based?
The Support Mentors are located on the ground floor of the East Wing. Their accommodation includes office space as well as private interview rooms where pupils can meet with their mentor in confidence. All pupils allocated to a Support Mentor will initially work with them for six weeks. If it is felt at the six week review that the pupil is ready to progress unsupported, then the mentor allocation will end.
It is possible that the mentoring period may be extended for a further six weeks. However, the school tries to reduce dependency as independence is the key for all pupils.
Pupils are welcome to “drop in” to the mentor area at lunchtimes and breaks but they must not go to their mentors during lesson time without permission. Pupils will be given appointment times that will vary from week to week to ensure that pupils are not taken out of the same lesson each week.
Referral Procedures
- Pastoral leader makes referral with clear issues to be addressed.
- Initial meeting with the pupil.
- Baseline data (attendance, punctuality, academic and behavioural) collected.
- Contact with parent/carer.
- Action plan developed.
- Review after six weeks.