Coaching and Mentoring Young People : Youth Work for Transformative Growth

Much has been written about coaching and mentoring. However, the focus has tended to be on business or professional development, with limited references to young people or youth work. Addressing this need, this unique text combines rigorous research with practical advice to examine coaching and mentoring in youth work, highlighting the purpose of these interventions in supporting the transition of young people from adolescence to adulthood.

Written by an academic and practitioner team, Salter and Jones address deficit-based approaches to coaching and mentoring in youth work whereby funding necessitates that those young people must demonstrate emotional and behavioural difficulties, or poor school outcomes. Prioritising strength-based approaches, this powerful resource demonstrates the power of blended facilitation and direction to better support the specific needs of young people. Equipping readers with the knowledge and skills to know when to offer directive advice and guidance, and when to step back and facilitate a conversation well and allow the young person to take more of a lead, each chapter contributes to building relational approaches for transformative growth. With topics including youth transitions and the importance of diversity, inclusivity and cultural understanding in coaching and mentoring young people, this work also explores how best to set up and run a coaching or mentoring project for young people - ethically and in line with safeguarding standards.

Bridging the gap between coaching, mentoring and youth work, this is a comprehensive resource for students and practitioners working at these intersections.