Youth Mentoring

This report by Melanie Thomson and Lauren Costello of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, looks at national and international evidence on the value for investment of youth mentoring and identifies evidence regarding the social and economic benefits for youth of quality one-to-one relationship based mentoring. Youth mentoring is, according to the Australian Youth Mentoring Network, defined as ‘a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement’. The goal of youth mentoring is to enhance social engagement and thereby minimise negative behaviours through growth in social and developmental behaviours. .