Beacon Invicta Life Skills Mentoring (Direct Payments)

Beacon Invicta Life Skills Mentoring provides young people aged 8-16 with a consistent, supportive adult who helps them build confidence, independence and practical life skills through regular mentoring sessions.

Sessions are delivered by trained volunteer mentors and focus on positive activities, real-world experiences and supportive conversation. The aim is to help young people develop the skills, confidence and resilience they need to navigate everyday life.

Life Skills Mentoring may include activities such as:

• building confidence and self-esteem

• developing social and communication skills

• exploring hobbies and interests

• learning practical life skills

• engaging in community activities

• having a trusted adult to talk to

Sessions typically take place weekly in the community and are tailored to the young person’s interests and goals.

Families can use Direct Payments to fund mentoring where it meets the young person’s agreed support needs. Before sessions begin, parents should confirm with their social worker or Direct Payments contact that their funding can cover the arrangement. 

Beacon provides:

• recruitment and matching of a suitable mentor

• mentor training and DBS checks

• safeguarding oversight

• ongoing mentor supervision and support

• session planning and activity budget
  
  

Beacon Life Skills Mentoring provides social and life skills support and does not provide personal care or specialist disability care services.

Beacon Life Skills Mentoring is designed for young people who may benefit from extra encouragement, guidance and a positive adult role model outside of home and school.

It may be suitable for young people who:

• would benefit from building confidence and self-esteem

• find social situations challenging

• are developing independence and life skills

• would benefit from positive community activities

• need a trusted adult to talk to

• are experiencing low confidence, anxiety or friendship difficulties

• may be struggling with school engagement or transitions
  
  

Life Skills Mentoring focuses on supporting personal development through positive relationships and experiences.

The service is for young people aged 7–16. We discuss each referral with the family to understand the young person’s needs, whether mentoring would suit them and whether a suitable mentor is available. 

Beacon mentoring provides social and life skills support and is not intended to replace specialist services, personal care or clinical support.

Sessions are planned around what feels safe and comfortable for the young person.

A typical session might include:

• going for a walk, visiting a park, or taking part in a simple outdoor activity

• playing football or another light sport

• drawing, crafts or other creative activities

• grabbing a drink and chatting in a safe public space
  
  

Sessions usually take place weekly or fortnightly and include at least 90 minutes of face-to-face mentoring. The day, time and frequency are agreed with the family before support begins. 

Activities are guided by the young person’s interests and are designed to help build confidence, develop life skills and create a positive mentoring relationship.

All mentors are DBS checked and trained volunteers, and sessions take place under the safeguarding oversight of the Beacon Invicta team.

Sessions take place in the community around Gravesham and nearby areas of North Kent. Activities might include visiting a park, café, bowling alley or another local venue chosen around the young person’s interests.

Collection from and return to the young person’s home can be agreed as part of the arrangement. Mentoring activities take place in the community rather than inside the home. Activities and transport arrangements are risk-assessed and agreed with parents in advance.

Each completed session costs:

• £40 mentoring service fee

• £20 activity budget contribution

• Actual travel expenses, up to £15

The total is £60 per session, plus any travel expenses, up to a maximum of £75.

The service fee covers mentoring and the work around it, including mentor matching, planning, supervision, safeguarding oversight and administration.

Activity contributions are added to the young person’s rolling activity budget. Spending is recorded, and unused money remains available for future sessions. Activity costs may include the mentor’s participation where needed.

Costs, payment arrangements and cancellation terms are set out in a written agreement before mentoring begins.

All Beacon mentors:

• Hold an enhanced DBS check

• Complete safeguarding and youth work training

• Follow our Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct

Mentoring sessions are risk-assessed and recorded using secure contact logs. Mentors receive ongoing supervision and support from the Project Lead. Any safeguarding concerns are handled in line with our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, involving parents and other professionals where appropriate. 

If you would like to talk about a potential mentoring referral, please get in touch via our contact form or email and we’ll be happy to discuss whether Beacon is the right option.

We welcome enquiries from parents, social workers and professionals supporting families with Direct Payments.

Email info@beaconinvicta.org or use the contact button below to tell us a little about the young person and the support they’re looking for. We’ll discuss suitability, availability and the next steps with you.