Using Mentors to Change Problem Behaviour in Primary School Children

• NCJ Number: 180218
• Author(s): Ian S. Roberts; Clifford S. Singh
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Great Britain Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Research Findings No. 95

Annotation

This paper describes CHANCE, a community-based development project offering early intervention for young children at risk of long-term behavior problems, school failure, or exclusion and criminality.

Abstract

CHANCE, based in Islington, London, provides of trained mentors for at-risk school children (aged 5 to 11). Subsidiary aims are to develop a peer group program in participating schools and a parenting component. About 40 mentors and children are involved in CHANCE each year. Mentors and children have built strong, affectionate, and trusting relationships. Such relationships make possible solution-focused measures designed to change problem behavior by teaching life skills; promoting active learning, personal responsibility, and self discipline, and encouraging independence. Initial indicators suggest these measures are improving children's behavior; mothers, teachers, and mentors all report some positive changes. Tables, note, reference