Module 1: The Mentoring Environment

This module establishes the foundational understanding of a mentoring relationship in relation to working with a homeless young people or those who lack the support of a family. It provides an understanding of the social realities experiences by young people who end up homeless or lack the support of a family. Participants will learn about the attitudes and values that they have to adopt to respond to the challenges experiences by these homeless young people and those who lack the support of a family. They will learn how to navigate through issues of education, unemployment, loneliness, mental wellbeing, and relationships while securing the basic necessities of housing, food and basic healthcare. This is achieved through the understanding and the importance of setting boundaries between the mentor and mentee and also in recognizing the importance of professional supervision.

MQF/EQF: 4
ECTS Value: 1
Duration:
Contact Hours: 6
Self-Study Hours: 16
Assessment Hours: 3

Learning Outcomes:

Competencies
By the end of this unit, the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
– Establish a professional mentoring relationship
– Be able to work within the boundaries of a mentoring relationship
– Be capable of taking the appropriate decisions based on evidence and values
– Recognize the need of working with a professional supervisor
– Create a meaningful and appropriate mentoring relationship with the mentee
– Be a role model with a caring attitude and a trustworthy approach

Knowledge
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
– General principles of mentoring
– Skills that are required to build a mentoring relationship
– Understanding of the risks involved in a mentoring process
– Awareness of models of development of young people
– Key values necessary for a supportive mentoring relationship
– Ethical principles and values required in mentoring

Skills
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
– Time management and consistency
– The ability to prepare adequately for the mentoring process
– Ability to maintain the mentoring relationship with the mentee
– Exploring online content for quality resources for working with the young person
– Keeping confidentiality, referring to supervisor for guidance and keeping records safely
– Ability to keep appropriate boundaries and take calculated risks

Mode of Delivery

This module will have a mixed learning approach consisting of training seminars, self-learning, role plays, and personal reflection.

Assessment

Attendance is compulsory since this module requires the active participation of the learners (10% of the overall mark). At the end of some sessions, the participants are given an evaluation sheet to score and fill in to help them with the process of assessment. Each learner will keep a reflection journal of the sessions being delivered at the end of each session during this module. The purpose of the journal is to reflect on the participants’ reactions, insights and critical analyses. Participants will be requested to share in a group on what they have attained during the sessions being delivered.

The student is expected to present a personal reflection paper at the end of the course with an in-depth reflection on the knowledge and skills gained in creating a mentoring environment for homeless young people and those who lack the support of a family.