We at Each One Support are passionate about providing information, advice and guidance and empowering Looked After Children to start building the lives they want for themselves.

While care-leavers may encounter similar physical and mental health risks as their peers in the wider population, the prevalence of such risks and possible outcomes is higher in the care-leaving population. The stresses of becoming rapidly independent with the associated likelihood of greater isolation in the absence of close networks of support can exacerbate these difficulties.

Young people who experience persistent social, emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties are more vulnerable to drug and alcohol use, exploitation, knife crime, gang affiliation, criminality and prison. Those with the additional risk factor of having experienced inconsistent care and a lack of healthy, supportive relationships, are even more vulnerable to finding themselves being drawn into risky situations that they are ill-equipped to manage.

What can a mentor do to support our young people?

Our mentors will talk to our young people about problems that crop up and help set future career goals, raise self-esteem and lead to better performance at College, or in Education and Training. Out mentors may just spend time with young people having fun together to build upon trust level initially.

We create a safe, supportive space for our young people to be honest with and about themselves; our mentors are able to encourage a reframing of their worldview. We ask them to consider the challenges that have underpinned their experiences of relationships, education, trust and respect.