About
Mentoring – Supporting Children and Young People Across the UK
Keys Mentoring provides specialist one-to-one support for children and young people who need guidance, encouragement, and emotional support to thrive.
Introducing Mentoring
Our nationwide service builds on the strong foundations of CF Education, helping hard-to-reach learners prepare for academic progress and personal development, even when traditional learning has been challenging.
Unlike tutoring, mentoring is not focused on academic intervention. Instead, our skilled mentors and youth workers focus on emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and personal growth. This complementary approach helps young people develop resilience, self-confidence, and the motivation they need to engage with learning and life beyond the classroom.
How it's delivered
Personalised Support for Every Young Person
Each mentoring programme begins with an initial assessment to understand the young person’s needs, challenges, and aspirations. Mentors work one-to-one to build trusting relationships, offering guidance, positive role modelling, and strategies to manage behaviour and emotions.
Sessions are flexible and can take place in the home, school, or community, ensuring support is practical, safe, and accessible. Regular reviews help track progress, adapt approaches, and celebrate achievements, so every young person receives the guidance that works for them.
We also offer...
Keys Tutoring: Personalised Education Support Across the UK
Keys Tutoring provides specialist one-to-one and small group education for children and young people who need a more flexible and personalised approach to learning. Building on the strong foundations of CF Education, our nationwide service supports pupils who are struggling to attend school, at risk of exclusion, facing disrupted education, or in need of a bespoke package that helps them re-engage and make progress.
As an AQA and City and Guilds registered centre, we offer high-quality tutoring that strengthens core skills, builds confidence, and helps learners move forward with purpose. Every programme is tailored through an initial assessment so we can understand the young person’s needs and create a focused plan that supports both their academic and personal development.
Who We Support
Keys Mentoring supports children and young people who:
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Struggle to engage with learning due to anxiety, confidence, or past experiences
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Exhibit challenging behaviour or need help managing emotions
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Are at risk of exclusion or disengagement from education
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Require additional guidance to prepare for academic or social success
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Benefit from a positive adult role model outside the classroom
Our nationwide mentoring service helps learners build the resilience and motivation needed to re-engage with education and make meaningful progress in all areas of life.
View the Referral ProcessOur Aim
Our aim is to provide personalised, relationship-led support that helps young people overcome barriers to learning and personal development. By focusing on emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and life skills, we empower young people to feel confident, motivated, and ready to succeed in education and beyond.
Mentoring complements tuition by addressing the personal and emotional challenges that can prevent academic progress, ensuring each young person receives the right support at the right time.
Referral process
Referral Process:
How to Access Our Mentoring Programme
Referrals can be made by local authorities, schools, children’s homes, or even parents. Mentoring is also available for privately funded placements.
Here’s how it works:
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Initial consultation
The first step involves a consultation between our referrals team, the local authority, and the key adults involved in the child’s care.
This meeting ensures a clear understanding of Keys approach and gives the mentoring team the opportunity to learn more about the child’s unique needs and challenges.
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Assessment
Following the consultation, the mentoring team will meet with the child face-to-face, to gain a deeper understanding of their individual needs.
During this meeting, the child and their carers will have the opportunity to discuss a personalised learning plan and explore potential pathways to re-engage in education.
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Access to the Mentoring Programme
Once the assessment is complete, the mentoring team will design a bespoke programme and timetable tailored to the child’s specific needs, interests, and goals.
This timetable will be regularly reviewed, and adjusted to ensure progress, with agreed upon targets and a clear pathway in place to help the learner succeed.
Get in touch
Get Started with Keys Inclusion Pathways
Find out how Keys Mentoring can support a young person in your area. Our experienced mentors are ready to provide guidance, encouragement, and practical strategies to help them thrive.
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Email: AP.referrals@keys-group.co.uk
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Phone: 0121 7287800
We aim to respond to all email enquiries within 24 hours.
Careers
We are Mentors for the Inclusion Pathways programme
Keys offers a unique opportunity for educators who are looking to make a significant impact on children's lives through a flexible and holistic approach to learning.
