Police to be mentors for children in care

DEVON police officers have teamed up with Devon County Council to be part of a project that gives mentoring support to children in care. Devon and Cornwall is the first police force in the UK to be part of a unique corporate mentoring scheme that aims

DEVON police officers have teamed up with Devon County Council to be part of a project that gives mentoring support to children in care.

Devon and Cornwall is the first police force in the UK to be part of a unique "corporate mentoring" scheme that aims to improve the lives of under-represented young people and cut down on youth crime.

Sergeant Andy McClenaghan, Youth Issues Manager for the police in Devon said, "In supporting this project, we hope we can make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable young people.

"There is often an inextricable link between children in care and offending, and by supporting mentoring schemes like this, we hope we can give young people a better chance in their development and prevent them from offending. Children in care would benefit greatly from time spent with people who inspire, encourage and motivate them."

Communications Officer Karen Mandefield who promoted the scheme among officers across Devon added: "Take up and support from police officers who have volunteered to carry out the mentoring in their own time has been overwhelming.

"With more than 500 children in care in Devon, schemes like these offer an important resource at a vital stage in their lives. Some are on care orders while others are placed in care because of child protection concerns.