The social and educational value of peer mentoring in a youth justice context

This chapter focuses upon the design and development of peer mentor interventions in Youth Justice, which involves those with lived experience being recruited and trained to undertake peer mentoring roles. The chapter includes an analysis of the extent to which peer mentoring can address power inequalities and advance meaningful participation and education of those involved. Peer mentoring was found to be an educational experience for mentors and mentees, but not in a typical sense of academic education; instead, mentors enabled mentees to develop social skills whilst promoting their own self confidence and professional skills. Such educational aspects of peer mentoring align with Child First principles including pro-social development and child collaboration in a co-learning process, fostering the development of interpersonal skills for those involved. The chapter reflects upon how this potentially progressive practice can help to enhance the value of education through Youth Justice Services.