Social and emotional mentoring for young people
- 1 : 1 mentoring · 6 sessions
- For young people in sport, top sets and high pressure settings
- Research driven framework
8+ yearsin UK education
Former Head of PSHEBacon's College, London
SEL researcherSocial and emotional learning
Enhanced DBSFA and TQUK safeguarding
Does this sound like your child?
Not every struggle needs therapy.Some young people need a therapist, and I'll always tell you if I think yours does. Many others are going through ordinary, hard things, and what helps most is a trusted adult in their corner.
A consultation, then 6 sessions.
Free call with parents
A short call on what's going on and what you'd like to change. If I'm not the right person, I'll say so.
Consultation
I meet your child, listen, and we agree what to work on together.
Six 1:1 sessions
Online, or in person in London. Parents get updates on progress, while your child's confidences stay private.
Most young people I've worked with didn't lack talent. What held them back was how they handled pressure and setbacks. That's what I work on.
I've spent over eight years in UK education, most recently as Head of PSHE at Bacon's College, where I built the department and its programme around social and emotional learning. Before teaching, I worked as a civil engineer on large infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi, so I know there's more than one route through life. I now research how young people learn to cope from the adults around them, working with university researchers in Australia and the US.
Young people learn to cope from the adults around them.
Fewer adults in their corner
Same behaviour.
38% fewer escalations.
Share of Year 8 sanctions escalated to isolation. Same two classes, one school. A correlation, not a trial.
Belonging and engagement rise together
Students who feel known by an adult engage more, and students who engage feel they belong more.
Pope and Miles (2022), survey of about 55,000 students.
From my working paper, When the Village Disappeared.
What students and parents say.
“On paper our son was doing well at school and in sport, but things at home were difficult and he was struggling far more than he showed. Cherian gave him someone outside the family to talk to through that time, and it made a real difference to how he coped.”
“Our son was doing everything under huge pressure to earn our approval, and we didn't realise. Without meaning to, we were adding to it. It was only through Cherian's mentoring that we understood what he was going through. He's much less anxious now, and he's actually doing better in his studies than before.”
“Surprisingly, our daughter was struggling to find the motivation to keep going towards her dream job. Cherian spent time with her, and together they worked out what was missing. She's been on an upward path ever since, and we're very grateful.”
“Our son would spend days shut away in his room and refuse to engage. We couldn't even understand what he was going through. Since working with Cherian, he's so much more open and happy to talk to us. I'm so grateful.”
“Cherian mentored me through sixth form, at a time when I was honestly a bit lost. I didn't know who I was or what I was working towards, and my motivation went with it. He helped me ground myself and keep putting the effort into a bigger goal. I'm proud of where I am now, and I still reach out to him regularly to hear what he has to say.”
“I've been mentored by Cherian since I was 14. I've become more confident and far more self-aware, and today I'm doing what I love as my job. I still go to him when something important comes up, because he often understands my situation better than I do. He never just told me what to do. He helped me work it out for myself, and that's what has stayed with me.”
“Sixth form wasn't right for me and I wanted to move to a technical college, but I was very shy and found it hard to talk to people. Cherian helped me through the change and built my confidence. I've now been through interviews and got onto my course.”
“I had a really tough time at university, and it followed me into my graduate scheme. Cherian helped me through a very difficult period. I came out of it more resilient and far more capable than I was going in.”
“Partway through university I realised I was on the wrong course, and the whole transition after that was really hard. Cherian helped me through it at a time when I didn't know what to do next. I'm now studying Literature at the University of Bath.”
“He is honest, funny, and most of all kind. He may be strict at times but for all the right reasons. Not once can I recall a time when he was not fair to us. I wasn't really much of a keen person for maths, but his pure and gentle personality is what kept me motivated.”
Hover to pause.Tap to pause or play.
Frequently asked.
My child is doing well. Why would they need mentoring?
Capable young people often carry more than they show. Doing well on paper and coping well inside are not always the same thing, and mentoring gives them an adult to work that through with.
Is this tutoring?
No. I'm a qualified maths teacher, but mentoring is about how your child handles pressure, setbacks and what comes next. If they need subject tutoring, I'll tell you.
Is this therapy or counselling?
No, I'm not a therapist. If I think your child needs clinical support, I'll tell you plainly and point you to therapists I can refer you to, or to your GP.
Who is it for?
Young people aged 9 to 17, especially those in sport, top sets or other settings where the pressure is high. Many are doing well on paper.
Where do sessions happen?
Online, or in person in London. I'm flexible and agree this with each family, and I can travel where a family needs it. In person sessions always take place with a parent at home or in a public setting.
How do you keep my child safe?
I hold an enhanced DBS check and FA and TQUK safeguarding certificates. All contact goes through parents, never private messages with your child. In person sessions take place with a parent at home or in a public setting, and online sessions run through a parent's account. You'll get my written safeguarding policy, terms and a consent form before we start.
What do parents hear about the sessions?
You'll get updates on themes and progress. What your child tells me stays private, unless I'm worried about their safety or someone else's.
I have more questions. What should I do?
Message me on WhatsApp at +44 7417 554828 and I'll reply personally.
How much does it cost?
It depends on what your child needs. We agree the cost after the free call, before anything is booked.
Let's talk about your child.
A free call with parents. No commitment, and an honest view on whether mentoring would help.