8: Overcoming Challenges Available to Purchase

Unlike working with adults who tend to access coaching or mentoring within a professional context, young people may find it difficult to either commit to or be motivated by the coaching or mentoring relationship. It can at times be a bit like a rollercoaster ride, particularly for the coach or mentor who may have to respond and react quickly to the potential unpredictability of young people’s needs. You might think you are making progress when the young person is either distracted or has a sudden change in their circumstances, which then has an impact on the work. It is therefore important that the coach or mentor can take a step back and reflect and adapt their approach to ensure that the young person’s needs are being met. This chapter will highlight some common issues or challenges that may arise and suggest practical ways of tackling them. We will look at areas that may cause the young person to become demotivated, distracted or resistant to discussions, which may require them to make changes that they are either not ready or not willing to make. We will also suggest some activities that could be incorporated into the sessions to help with engagement. Challenges are to be expected, but we hope that by identifying some that could arise, coaches and mentors will feel ready and equipped to deal with these in order to maintain a good working relationship with young people.