Mentoring in a Multicultural Context - Nightingale

The course is based on the mentor arrangement, which is administered by the Norwegian Directorate of Children-, Youth, - and families (Bufdir). The goal of the arrangement is to increase the multicultural competence within child welfare, and to inspire children with minority background fulfil higher education.

Throughout a study year the student is mentor for a child with minority background within the age of 8-12. The mentor will in cooperation with the child and its guardians take initiative to various activities. The student will receive training, teaching, and guidance throughout the course. The student must deliver monthly reports that describes accomplished meetings with the mentor child, in addition to self-reflections. There is a template for the monthly reports.

Through meetings with child in practical mentoring the students must acquire the following knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge - The student

• has knowledge of central concepts within mentoring in general
• has knowledge of childhood conditions/living conditions in multicultural society
• has knowledge of how to build relations and communicate with children and families with minority background
• has knowledge of how challenging events and life situations can affect children.

Skills - The student

• has acquired increased consciousness of own values and attitudes in meeting with other cultures
• can be an adult role model in the meeting with the mentor child
• can take care of the children`s right to involvement
• can communicate and cooperate with the child and its guardians with respect and understanding of their cultural background
• can reflect upon its own role as mentor
• can use activities to promote the child's ability to play, learn and cope

General competence - The student

• can plan and implement activities in accordance with the child`s needs.
• can receive guidance and guide others

The student will be mentor for a child with minority background throughout one study year. The mentor meets his/her mentor child 2-3 hours each week. The mentor shall take initiative to different activities, both alone with the child, and together with other mentors/mentor children. The student participates in training and guidance, individually and in Groups.