The charity MCR Pathways will see funding for school-based coordinators withdrawn.
Glasgow City Council has confirmed that it is to cut support for a charity-run pupil mentoring scheme.
Officials from the local authority have confirmed to the Herald newspaper that a budget deal between the SNP and Scottish Greens councillors in the city will see funding for school-based coordinators working on the MCR Pathways scheme withdrawn.
MCR supports young people across Scotland, including in Glasgow, by providing 1-to-1 mentoring for young people.
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council told the Herald: “Unlike other local authorities, the council directly employ MCR Pathways coordinators within our secondary schools, however we are now exploring other options.”
The founder of MCR Pathways, Dr Iain MacRitchie told the Herald: “This decision cannot have been taken with all the facts given that the MCR programme has been independently researched as transformational for the City’s most disadvantaged young people and been citywide for almost a decade. It is currently supporting 2,000 young people each week as a cost effective and practical implementation of multiple national and citywide education, social work and mental health and wellbeing policies. It provides 1,200 committed, adult volunteer mentors and also brings in their employers for work experiences to fuel aspirations. 700 of these alone delivers in the last 6 months. The programme delivery relies on the Pathways Coordinators in each school to facilitate the programme and also directly support the young people as a valued part of the school teams and local communities.
"If we remove those ‘one good adult’ relationships from 2,000 of the city’s most disadvantaged young people we will have a devastating impact on their education outcomes, job choices and life chances. And that’s not just for a budget period, it is for a lifetime.
“As a passionate Glaswegian I simply cannot believe that the city’s elected politicians or officers will see this decision through and allow a generation of young people to be determined by their circumstances or postcode. The Council is the corporate parent of 40% of the young people and without this effective support could end up having to support the other 60%. The potential social cost of failure is staggering and the MCR programme is a focus on prevention. I am sure sense will prevail and that the corporate parent responsibilities will drive the decisions.
“The maths doesn’t work with reducing budgets and increasing needs. It’s time for our politicians to be honest and transparent. Talking prevention isn’t providing sticking plasters. Our limited resources must be used to support those that need it most by those that know them best. Trust and relationships are the prerequisite to any sustainable impact and success.”
Leanne McGuire, chair of the Glasgow City Parents Group, also spoke out against the council’s proposals in the newspaper: "As a dedicated MCR Pathways mentor for several years, it is disheartening to learn about the potential impact of GCC budget cuts on this invaluable service.
“Having witnessed first-hand the transformative impact of MCR Pathways mentoring in Glasgow schools, I am grateful that the charity is not entirely discontinuing the service.
“Nevertheless, the indispensable role played by MCR Coordinators, who provide invaluable support to mentoring relationships, cannot be overstated. These coordinators forge strong connections with mentees, becoming trusted adults whom pupils rely on.
“The proposed cuts are threatening to disproportionately affect vulnerable pupils, jeopardising the crucial support they require and deserve. It feels short-sighted to be removing support for pupils in a time when we continually hear of pupils' needs rising."
Hi, as a current MCR Pathways Mentor in another council who have decided to continue supporting the program, I find it very sad and short sighted that GDC will make these dramatic cuts to such an important initiative supporting our most vulnerable children. As a member of Scotland's Children's Panel system, I also see the effects lack of support and parenting can have on these children through no fault of their own. I think it is summed up well by Iain above when he says If we remove those ‘one good adult’ relationships from 2,000 of the city’s most disadvantaged young people we will have a devastating impact on their education outcomes, job choices and life chances. And that’s not just for a budget period, it is for a lifetime!!!. I also appreciate that budgets are very tight just now but implore GDC to reconsider these cuts for such an important support network for our children.