Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.31299/ksi.31.1.2
The role of mentors of young people leaving care
Anja Mirosavljević
orcid.org/0000-0003-0060-1036
; Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to explore and describe the experience of the mentor’s role for young people leaving care, as well as the challenges mentors face in their work from their perspective. To this end, three group interviews were conducted with nine mentors. The data were processed using the thematic analysis method and three themes were isolated. These are: Multiple Mentoring Functions and Different Approaches, Qualities of Mentors, and Challenges of Mentoring. The results show that the role of the mentor is demanding, complex, and important for the youth being mentored, but sometimes confusing and unclear for the mentors themselves. The contribution of the work is reflected in deepening the understanding of the role of mentors and the challenges in their work. Moreover, guidelines for the work of future mentors and mentoring program leaders have been offered, as well as for the overall (social care) system with the goal of providing the best possible support to young people leaving care.
Keywords
young people; leaving care; mentoring; mentor's role
Hrčak ID:
304669
URI
Publication date:
26.6.2023.
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