To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the effectiveness of mentoring schemes, such as the role of mentors working with Voice Of Young People In Care, in tackling issues among young people in care such as educational disengagement; and whether he will promote and increase similar schemes.

The Health and Social Care Board has advised that it commissions an advocacy and mentoring service for looked after children from Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) to support them in education, help them remain in education, or access an educational place. It also helps address social isolation, low self esteem and poor interpersonal skills.

Mentoring is one of a range of support services provided to looked after or care experienced young people. For example, there are a range of Trust initiatives already in place aimed at enhancing the educational outcomes of looked after children and young people. These include: the appointment of an independent visitor for children who do not have family contact or support; assistance from dedicated LAC Education Teams; input from LAC Therapeutic Services; and befriender support. Trusts may also have contracts in place for services to young people, which have a mentoring component.

For older children in care, there is a specific input from Employability Services which includes on site employment and work placement based mentors. Equally a range of training schemes and prevocational initiatives incorporate mentoring support as a means of assisting young people to engage in and sustain training programmes and assist their transition towards future career goals. Older adolescents from age 16 also have entitlement to a Personal Advisor, whose role is to provide advocacy, mentoring and support through to age 21 in line with their care/pathway plan.