The Island exists to enhance the quality of life for children and young people through sustainable quality mentoring relationships as they make the transition through childhood and adolescence.

We are a voluntary organisation whose aim is to work with children and young people making the transition from primary to secondary school. The Island works with vulnerable young people from the ages of 8 to 13 and disabled young people from 8 to 19. This is a critical time when some children and young people become disaffected, withdraw from learning and engage in negative activities. Other young people, particularly disabled young people, may need support to enable them to develop confidence outside the family and learn independence skills. Being supported to access a range of positive community activities with a trusted adult can give young people new opportunities, raise aspirations and self-esteem. The Island believes that a secure relationship with consistent support and positive activities can enable our children and young people to develop to their potential.  

The Island takes its name from Vera Fahlberg’s work on children and young people’s development. The Island represents time, space and support that is offered to children and young people, as they identify the need for it.

The Island Philosophy

We believe that:

• the focus should be on positive solutions that look to the future, rather than to problems of the past
• young people should be offered islands of time and space in which to develop
• relationships need time, trust and investment
• society needs to collaborate with young people by engaging with them and encouraging their aspirations
• young people with additional needs to develop independence
• young people with additional needs want to be the ‘same as everyone else’ and have fun and try new activities
• structure and boundaries that are clearly communicated will empower young people
• young people should be valued for being themselves

At The Island the Welfare of children and young people is paramount, and this policy is designed to ensure that their right to be protected from all forms of avoidable harm is recognised and upheld.

The Island acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and child protection requirements.

The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background, all children:

• have a positive and enjoyable experience of individual activities in a safe and child centred environment
• are protected from abuse whilst participating in The Islands activities or outside of the activity.
• The Island acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.

As part of our safeguarding policy, The Island will:

• promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
• ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people
• ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern
• ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
• prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals
• ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation

The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in The Island. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.

Monitoring

The policy will be reviewed every three years, or in the following circumstances:

• changes in legislation and/or government guidance
• as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, Child protection Legislations; or other Laws and guidelines or other significant change or event.

Handling

In accordance with section 124 of the Police Act 1997, DBS certificate information is only passed to those who are authorized to receive it in the course of their duties. It is a criminal offence to pass this information to anyone who is not entitled to receive it.

Usage

Applicants will be asked to bring their DBS record to show to The Island staff and we will keep a copy of your disclosure number only. You will retain the hard copy of the document. Please keep this in a safe and secure place where it can be redeemed if necessary. In exceptional circumstances, we may ask the DBS’s advice on keeping the disclosure Information. This will only be done if it is in accordance with data protection and the human rights of the individual concerned. Certificate information is only used for the specific purpose for which it was requested and for which the applicant’s full consent has been given.

Over the past 20 years, mentoring projects have been developed as a distinct approach to working with children and young people, where a more experienced and probably older person offers advice, support and encouragement to a younger, less-experienced person, facilitating learning and growth.

The Aim of Mentoring

The overall aim of The Island's volunteer mentors is to support, encourage and give space to both:

• children and young people aged 8 – 18 years

Island mentors:

• provide committed listening and support regarding the child/young person’s issues and goals
• develop a positive and supportive relationship with a child/young person that encourages them to try a variety of different activities.
• encourage appropriate levels of independence.

The Role of the Mentor

• The relationship between the child/young person and the mentor is based on equality, respect and understanding.
• Mentors will help and support children/young people on a one-to-one basis to explore and develop new leisure time activities and access local facilities. The mentor may, if appropriate, participate in the activity with the child/young person. This will allow the relationship between the child/young person and mentor to develop. In addition to the one-to-one work, they may also take part in occasional group activities and events, such as day excursions.

The Mentoring and Referral Processes

Becoming a Mentor

• Mentors must undergo police and reference checks before being linked with a child/young person. Although we would be unable to use volunteers who are convicted of certain offences, having a police record does not necessarily prevent you from becoming a mentor (see DBS Policy for more details).
• Mentors must complete our initial training programme and undergo a post-course interview before being linked with a child/young person.
• All mentors will be selected through an application process. Successful applicants will then attend a series of training sessions, which will provide the opportunity to discuss the work of The Island and the role of the mentor and equip mentors with the skills and confidence to work with children/young people.
• All mentors must comply with The Islands Guidance and Policies and the particulars set out in them, all of our updated policies can be viewed on our website www.theislandyork.org or available on request.

The Referral Process

• Once a referral has been accepted, there is an initial assessment which takes place at the child/young person's home. This involves the child/young person, their parents/guardians and the appropriate allocated Island Staff Member namely the Mentor Supervisor or Mentor Liaison Officer. The nature of The Island's service and the commitment involved is outlined, and some paperwork is completed.
• If the child/young person wants to access our service, they are then matched with a mentor. All of our support is offered voluntarily to the young people and there is no statutory requirement for them to engage in the mentoring process. 

The Mentoring Relationship

• The Mentor Liaison Officer retains responsibility for all children/young people supported by The Island. Good communication between mentors and Mentor Liaison Officer and supervisors is therefore paramount.
• Mentors will be given information about the child/young person to enable them to have a sufficient understanding of why and how they are to be involved.
• A first meeting is set up at the child/young person’s home where the mentor, accompanied by the Mentor Liaison Officer or Mentor Supervisor meets the child/young person and their parents/guardians, and arranges the first mentoring meeting.
• Mentors will meet the child/young person they support once a week for a session of between 1 and 3 hours. It is important that they are able to commit this time regularly. Arrangements other than this should be agreed with the Mentor Supervisor
• Mentoring sessions should be child and young person focused around the needs and wishes of a young person, with an informal monthly review.
• Mentors are expected to complete sessional recording sheets after each meeting with a young person and review them with their supervisor. This will contribute to the individual evaluation of the young person and the wider evaluation of the scheme.
• Mentors commit for a minimum of 6 or 12 months. In some circumstances this may be extended by mutual agreement.
• Any activities that the mentor undertakes with a child/young person MUST NOT be illegal or be anything that places the safety of the mentor or child/young person in jeopardy. The mentor should not undertake an activity that they are uncomfortable with
• The mentor should not do anything that will undermine the authority or wishes of parents or guardians.

Activities Outside the Normal Mentoring Relationship

The normal mentoring relationship involves meeting on a weekly basis for between 1 - 3 hours in York. For any other activities, the mentor will need to discuss this with their supervisor.

Activities outside the normal mentoring relationship include:

• Anything that takes longer than the usual 3-hour block of time.
• Anything which occurs outside the normal hours of operation for the project (activities occurring outside of these times are not covered by insurance without prior arrangement)
• More than one meeting per week.
• Anything that involves leaving York.
• Anything that involves representing the child/young person or The Island to any other agency or individual.
• Anything that exceeds the weekly activity allowance (£10).
• Anything that involves a third person attending the meeting (other than the Mentoring Co-ordinator or supervisor).
• Group activities organised by the project.

Ending a Mentoring Relationship

• If a mentor wishes to end a mentoring relationship, they must inform the Mentor Supervisor as soon as possible. It must be remembered that the child/young person may feel rejected by the loss of their mentor and time should be given to link them with a new mentor and make this transition as easy as possible.
• If the mentor wishes to leave the project all together, they should give one month notice to the Mentor Supervisor this should be done in writing where possible
• If information is received indicating that a volunteer is acting against the best interests of a child/young person or there are any difficulties that cannot be resolved, then the Mentor Supervisor can bring the mentoring relationship to an end.
• If a child/young person expresses a wish to end the relationship the mentor should inform the Mentor Supervisor the Mentor Supervisor should explore whether the child/young person wishes to be matched with a different mentor, wishes to leave the scheme or find alternative activities.

Training, Support and Supervision

• 12 Weekly supervisions will take place with an allocated Mentor Supervisor See Supervision Policy for further details
• Mentors access an initial training programme with opportunities for further training offered.
• Personal Development and Growth of all Island service supporters is supported and the Island will encourage individual growth and development where appropriate and in the best interests of the Mentoring relationship.
• Support for mentors is essential and is available through volunteer support meetings with other mentors, individual supervision sessions with the Mentor Supervisor and frequent informal contact. Close co-operation between mentors and supervisors or the Manager of Mentoring Services is vital for the scheme to be effective. 
• Mentors receive basic travel costs and activity related expenses. These must be recorded and receipts retained.

What we believe

• The Island believes that participation is an important and intrinsic part of good youth work practice and recognises the importance of involving children, young people, mentors and other adults in the management, planning and delivery of The Island’s services. 
• The Island is committed to making the service accessible to all children and young people within the age group.

A. Participation of children and young people

Participation should:

• Develop the skills and confidence of children and young people to enable them to be involved in the decision-making processes not only within the organisation but also within wider society.
• Value, listen and respond to the ideas and opinions of children and young people in order that they gain a sense of self worth
• Recognise the importance of the experiences of children and young people in evaluating the project and promoting good practice.

B. Participation of mentors

Participation should:

• Develop the skills and confidence of mentors and provide for their on-going training and support
• Value, listen and respond to the ideas and opinions of mentors
• Facilitate social opportunities for support and exchange of views

C. Participation of relevant adults

This could include parents/carers, referrers, supervisors and independent experts.

• Value, listen and respond to the ideas and opinions of relevant adults
• Facilitate social opportunities to exchange of views

What we will do

• The Island is committed to enabling children, young people and mentors to be represented in decisions about the management of the project. 
• The Island is committed to consulting children, young people and mentors about their experience of the project through age appropriate and creative means
• The Island is committed to integrating children, young people and mentor’s feedback into the quality assurance, planning and decision-making process.

Each volunteer will be trained in information sharing and child protection.

The Island fully accepts the need to share information as appropriate and in the manner/ following the procedure set out below 

Seven Golden Rules for Information-sharing for Mentors/Volunteers and Practicioners:

1. Seek advice if you are in any doubt: 

a) Firstly from your line manager/supervisor, details will be provided for this person when you begin in your role. Alternatively contact the Island named person on 07595695559 Mon – Fri 9-9 Sat/Sunday 9:30-6:30 calls only or alternative on 01904 628449 Mon – Fri 9-3pm. 

b) If still in need of advice about a child, you may contact social care without disclosing identities where possible. If there are significant concerns they will tell you that you should disclose identity of the child [telephone number: 01904 551900].

c) You may seek advice about any adult working with a child anonymously from the City of York safeguarding Board. If there are significant concerns they will tell you that you should disclose identity of the adult [telephone number: 01904 551900].

2. Remember that the Data Protection Act is not a barrier to sharing information but provides a framework to ensure that personal information about living persons is shared appropriately.

3. Be open and honest with the person (and/or their family where appropriate) from the outset about why, what, how and with whom information will, or could, be shared, and seek their agreement, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so.

4. Share with consent where appropriate and, where possible respect the wishes of those who do not consent to share confidential information. You may still share information without consent if, in your judgment, that lack of consent can be overridden in the public interest. You will need to base your judgment on the facts of the case. Again, consult your line manager/supervisor if in any doubt.

5. Consider safety and well-being: base your information-sharing decisions on considerations of the safety and well-being of the person and others who may be affected by their actions.

6. Remember that your actions must be necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure: ensure that the information you share is necessary for the purpose for which you are sharing it, is shared only with those people who need to have it, is accurate and up-to-date, is shared in a timely fashion, and is shared securely.

7. Keep a record of your decision, duly dated and the reasons for it – whether it is to share information or not. If you decide to share, then record what you have shared, with whom and for what purpose. Pass a copy of your records to your line manager/supervisor.

Further information is given to each mentor in the information-sharing leaflet.

1. Introduction

1.1 This paper outlines the policy and standards adopted by The Island in relation to supervision of staff and volunteers.

1.2 The Island views supervision as a supportive, developmental process, integral to the role of the member of staff or volunteer. The Island expects all staff and volunteers to participate as required.

1.3 All supervision sessions shall be recorded by the supervisor, placed on the central file, and a copy of the record provided to the person supervised. If the person supervised does not agree with the supervisor’s record, s/he should add a note to the supervisor’s record indicating what is not agreed.

1.4 A report on supervision shall be included in the Mentoring Co-ordinator’s report to the trustees at each meeting.

2. Supervision of Staff

2.1 All staff employed by or seconded to The Island will receive regular supervision. The Island will endeavour to provide supervision one bi-monthly.

2.2 Supervision of the Senior Management Team will be undertaken by a trustee nominated by the CEO. Supervision of the CEO will be undertaken by The Board of Trustees 

2.3 Supervision of other staff will be undertaken by the Manager of Mentoring Services.

2.4 If for any reason (such as illness, change of personnel etc.), the Manager of Mentoring Services is not available to provide supervision within the timescales set out in para 2.1., the CEO will arrange for alternate supervision provisions.

2.5 Supervision will include discussion of progress made with all aspects of the job description (though not each and every item in each session): it will also include discussion of the worker’s current performance. It may include discussion of ways of enhancing the worker’s knowledge and expertise (by training or opportunities for professional development).

2.6 Supervision will lead to an annual appraisal of the worker’s performance, undertaken by the supervisor with input from the worker, colleagues, and other sources agreed with the worker. The written appraisal will be shared with the worker in draft form, and amendments made in response to their feedback. Any areas not agreed will be identified and recorded.

3. Supervision of Volunteers

3.1. All volunteers, i.e. mentors and volunteer supervisors, students on placement and any other volunteers recruited by The Island, will be required to participate in regular supervision. The Island will endeavour to provide supervision once every 8 - 12 weeks.

3.2. New volunteers will be asked to sign a written agreement about their role with The Island, which will include a commitment to make themselves available for supervision on a regular basis.

3.3. Supervision of mentors will be undertaken by the Mentor Supervisor, a volunteer supervisor, or by another member of staff accountable to the Manager of Mentoring Services for this aspect of their work.

3.4. Volunteer supervisors will be recruited through the Island’s recruitment and training process. Any member of staff or volunteer who supervises shall have the appropriate level of skills, experience and qualifications.

3.5. Supervision may be completed face-to-face, or by telephone. However, face to face supervision is strongly recommended.

3.6. If for any reason (such as illness, change of personnel etc.), the supervisor is not available to provide supervision within the timescales set out above, arrangements will be made through the CEO or Board of Trustees for a suitable alternative.

3.7. Volunteers who do not make themselves available for supervision in accordance with the agreement will be reported by the Mentor Supervisor to the person responsible for managing her/his work. An action plan will be agreed and recorded in the Mentor Supervisors supervision notes. Mentoring may cease if supervisions are not frequently attended.

3.8. Volunteers may ask their supervisor for a reference in relation to applications for jobs, or for a place on a professional training course. The supervisor will normally agree to provide that reference, unless he or she has concerns about the mentor’s capacity to meet the requirements of the job/course. In such an eventuality, the supervisor will share their concerns with the volunteer.