MCR Pathways and Forth Valley College have agreed to work together on a two-year pilot project to support care-experienced and disadvantaged young people moving from school into college, jobs, or further training.
The MCR Pathways Post School Mentoring Pilot is a two-year partnership with Forth Valley College to support students’ transition by extending mentoring from school into college. Sharon McIntyre, CEO of MCR Pathways joined FVC Principal Kenny MacInnes to officially launch the partnership on Thursday 4 July at the Falkirk Campus.
A total of 82% of care experienced young people receiving mentoring support from MCR Pathways in schools have progressed to positive post-school destinations, compared to the national average of 69%. The two-year pilot aims to harness the power of mentoring to similar effect in reducing College drop-out rates, improve attainment levels and respond to significant increases in young people reporting mental health problems and additional support needs at the College.
Starting in August for the next two years, complementing the College's long-standing ‘Time for Me’ mentoring programe, led by its Widening Participation team, students attending Stirling, Alloa and Falkirk campuses will continue to meet their trusted mentors from school, to address a range of potential issues which may impact on their abilities to attend and succeed at College.
With only 10% of full-time college enrollments coming from care-experienced backgrounds presently, the pilot provides an important additional layer of support during a period of monumental change for many young people which can prove overwhelming to the extent some may choose to withdraw from college and, potentially, miss opportunities to shine in chosen careers
Beyond facilitating existing mentorship relationships to continue to embrace significant change, MCR Pathways and Forth Valley College will also work closely to identify greater numbers within the student population who could benefit from having a mentor, as well as deliver early transition visits for local schools, and support students progress from further education to university and wider positive destinations.
A full-time MCR Pathways Coordinator (PC) will be based mainly at the FVC Falkirk Campus, helping up to 30 mentor-mentee pairs. Their role includes supporting young people through College transitions, delivering inductions and training, and working closely with FVC staff and partners like Skills Development Scotland.
The programme officially starts in August 2025, with recruitment and training having already begun, and has the capacity to support up to 30 mentor-mentee pairs. So far, 17 students due to start FVC in August are already connected with MCR mentors.
Sharon McIntyre, Chief Executive Officer at MCR Pathways, said: “We are delighted to partner with Forth Valley College to design and deliver this exciting programme for college students. Our new partnership with the college is a monumental development for MCR Pathways, that will bring our award-winning relationship-based mentorship programme from the classroom onto campus for the first time.
“Together, we are deeply committed to creating an outstanding student experience that now includes access to a trusted adult who will compliment college services to navigate what proves a very significant period of transformational change towards realising their potential and pursuing very bright and positive pathways in the future.”
Principal Kenny MacInnes, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with MCR Pathways to launch this important Post School Mentoring Pilot. The important work we have done at the College to encourage and support care-experienced and disadvantaged young people cannot be understated. I have no doubt this exciting partnership will further enhance the support we can offer and help to make a real difference in the lives of young people.”
Laura Geoghegan, FVC Student Support Manager, said: “Supporting young people as they transition from school to college is a key priority for us, and this programme provides a valuable opportunity to maintain ongoing support through a key transition period. We are looking forward to working with MCR Pathways on this initiative and to see the positive impact it will have on our students and the wider college community.”
The photo shows from left to right Laura Geoghegan, FVC Student Support Manager, Kenny MacInnes, FVC Principal, Natalie Smith, Head of Schools East Region, MCR Pathways and Sharon McIntyre, CEO MCR Pathways.
Also pictured in the website story carousel is Jess Reid MCR Pathways Coordinator (left) and Lauren Picken MCR Pathways Programme Manager.
