This project is pilot evaluation to assess the level of evidence that the Future YOU Programme is appropriate and scalable for further evaluation. 

Children and young people who have or have had a social worker on average have poorer educational outcomes than their peers. However, there is a lack of evidence that specifically addresses how to improve outcomes for care experienced young people, rather than the student population at large. Therefore, there is a need to test and evaluate interventions that specifically aim to improve educational outcomes for young people who have experienced social care. 

The Future YOU Programme works with young people aged 16 to 19 who are studying a Level 3 programme at HSDC has been subject to a Child in Need Plan, a Child Protection Plan, or looked after  by a local authority in the six years preceding September 2021. The programme involves 45 minute, one to one, face to face sessions with an allocated mentor. Sessions occur weekly throughout the academic year. HSDC has three campuses (Alton, Havant and South Downs); young people are matched with a mentor based at their campus of study so that they do not have to travel for mentoring sessions each week. In addition to mentoring, learning content is delivered via a Google Sites platform. This Google Site is available to all HSDC students; however for students on the Future YOU programme, mentors will support them to complete the modules. These modules are designed to build social, emotional, digital and career skills. 

The focus of this pilot evaluation will be on evidence of Future YOU’s programme feasibility, evidence of promise, and signs of readiness for further evaluation. It will not seek to establish a causal link between engagement with  Future YOU and improved outcomes.