Edinburgh Cares Staff Mentoring Programme

In Scotland, 4% of care-experienced young people progress to higher education from school, compared with 41% of their non-care-experienced peers. The University of Edinburgh is a corporate parent, and as such has legislative duties to support care-experienced people make the most of their time at university. Our vision is that each of our care-experienced and estranged students flourish during their time at Edinburgh. We want them to feel part of the University community, and supported to participate fully in University life and believe a mentor is vital to this approach.  

The mentoring relationship focuses upon supporting the student to engage with the wider University, academically and non-academically. It focuses upon the four main strands of educational mentoring: academic, social, financial and personal, signposting to relevant support services within the University. Mentors commit to working with their student for at least one academic year, although mentors and mentees are encouraged to continue with the programme for the duration of a mentee’s degree. Mentors should be able to commit approximately one hour every two weeks to meet their mentee. The Mentoring Programme Coordinator will support mentors for the duration of the programme, providing training, monthly check-ins, ongoing and/or ad hoc advice and guidance, and opportunities for peer learning with other mentors.  

The Edinburgh Cares Staff Mentoring Programme pairs new care-experienced and estranged students (UG and PG) with a trained staff mentor, to support their transition into the University and their engagement in academic and non-academic life. Support for care-experienced students is outlined in our Corporate Parenting Strategy and is overseen by the Edinburgh Cares Committee, chaired by the Director of Student Wellbeing.