1. What does Innovate Dorset Ltd do?

Here at Innovate Dorset, we offer mentoring and tutoring services to young people up to the age of 25 years old; across Dorset and BCP localities. Our sessions are small group mentoring and tutoring. 

2. Where do Mentoring sessions take place?

           Mentoring sessions take place in the community, engaging in activities both indoors and outdoors.                               This could include pottery painting, playing football, visiting parks or the beach, cooking, crafting, playing pool, going to the gym (Post-16 program), fishing or crabbing, visiting museums, driving range, or bowling.

3. Where do Tutoring Sessions take place? 

Tutoring takes place either at our Hub in Wimborne, or our Hub in Sherborne. This depends on your location. 

These sessions are run by our Tutors and supported by our Youth Engagement Workers.

Sessions are small groups of young people, all working at their own pace on the same subject. 

4. How long are Mentoring and Tutoring sessions?

Our Mentoring and Tutoring sessions are approximately 3-4 hours. This includes travel time from your home to the Hub for tutoring, or location for mentoring, and the returning journey.

5. How do I get to my sessions?

We provide all transport, for all sessions.

Our Youth Engagement Workers pick up and drop off our Tutoring young people. Our Mentors pick up and drop off our Mentoring young people.

We will always collect and drop off to your the home address. There are no taxi's or alternative transport with Innovate.

You get to know all our staff and they will be with you throughout your session. 

6. How many Young People are in each session?

Mentoring sessions are paired with another young person. Within your session, you may meet up with another Innovate mentor who also has 2-3 young people. 

Tutoring sessions are small groups with access to multiple rooms. There could be approximately 8 to 12 young people in each room. 

7. How does a young person get referred to Innovate Dorset?

Our referrals for young people come to us from local authorities (BCP, Dorset) or are directly made by schools or professionals. 

8. Does Innovate Dorset provide food? 

During our sessions, we offer a variety of healthy snacks and food options, including breakfast bars, fresh fruit, pastries, and toast. If the session runs over the lunchtime period, we will provide a healthy lunch, such as a sandwich or wrap.

Innovate Dorset Ltd encourage all our staff and young people to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle, as such we do not allow energy drinks in any of our sessions. 

9. How does Innovate Dorset support reintegration into a school?

At Innovate Dorset, we understand that our support doesn't end when a school placement is found. 

The reintegration of a young person back into a school placement is paramount for their continued success.

When a school placement is found, we will work directly with the school and caseworker to build a slow reintegration schedule.

As an example, this could look like us accompanying the young person to a school visit/show around, then supporting with a few sessions a week that run parallel to their school timetable. These are then phased out when the young person is settled. 

10. How long does a young person stay at Innovate Dorset?

When a young person is referred to Innovate Dorset, this is via an Individual Agreement (IA), provided by the local authority or school. The length of this IA is determined by the local authority or school. Generally, an IA is for approximately 6-12 weeks.

However, the length of time a young person stays with Innovate Dorset can vary; we have young people who stay with us for a few weeks, and others stay for more extended periods, such as a year or two.