sign in

Foster Carer Peer Mentoring

The Fostering Network has received funding from the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to carry out a study into the current availability of mentoring schemes for foster carers in England.

The Fostering Network is undertaking an extensive investigation into peer mentoring schemes for foster carers, and specifically their role in supporting the Training, Support and Development Standards for Foster Care in England.

The first stage of the project was to carry out a mapping exercise to identify the availability and range of peer mentoring schemes in England. The findings are now being analysed and a series of focus groups are being scheduled for March 2008, with Good Practice Guidelines being published in the autumn.

More about the mentoring project

Mentoring is defined as "a relationship between two parties, who are not connected within a line management structure, in which one party (the mentor) guides the other (the mentee) through a period of change and towards an agreed objective or assists them to become acquainted with a new situation". (Kay and Hinds 2007).

Peer mentoring in its purest form involves individuals of equal standing in a group. To use the term "peer" there must be at least a degree of similarity of status between mentor and mentee.

This project aims to:

  • define mentoring for foster carers and identify other forms of peer support
  • carry out a survey to identify the current spread and range of mentoring schemes in England
  • identify five schemes to focus on in detail
  • arrange a series of focus groups in March 2008
  • publish good practice guidelines in autumn 2008.

To find out more about the project please contact Helen Clarke, development worker – recruitment and retention of foster carers on 020 7620 6407 or email helen.clarke@fostering.net.