Medium Cost Interventions
10. Mentors in Violence Programme (MVP)
The Mentors in Violence Programme (MVP) is a school programme that involves teachers delivering lessons to children an young people about bullying, abuse behaviour and violence, and promotes healthy social and culture which prevents violence. Following this, older students are trained as mentors, who can then deliver session to young students about these topics. By using a bystander intervention model, combined with peer leadership training, the program empowers both boys and girl to act as active bystanders who can challenge harmful behaviours that can lead to VAWG incidents.
For 25 staff:
MVP train the trainer facilitator training: £1,000-£1,500 per staff member (£25-£37,500)
Follow-up coaching & supervision: £10-£15,000
Supply cover for teacher release across 50 days (2 days per teacher): £9,000
Total: £44,000-£61,500
Recruit schools/train cohort of MVP lead staff/prepare materials/venue timetabling: 4 weeks
Initial student mentor recruitment/mentor training/embedding MVP into curriculum/launch parent communication: 4 weeks
1st MVP lessons delivered/mentorship groups active/beginning early evaluation/baseline attitude surveys: 4 weeks
Total: 12 weeks+
Refresher staff training: £12,500-£18,750
Replacement student materials: £10,000-£20,000
Mentor cohort replenishment: £5,000-£10,000
Safeguarding support & programme evaluation: £5,000-£15,000
Total Annual Maintenance Cost: £32,500-£63,750
Effectiveness
Where the MVP programme has been implemented in schools, responses show that the response from pupils and teachers has been positive, with 92% of student mentors and 86% of student mentees agreeding that they could recognise healthy and unhealthy behaviours in their relationships.
Additionally, 95% of mentors and 80% of mentees agreed that they know of different ways to help if they see bullying or abusive behaviour. Children and Young People who can readily identify inapproriate behaviours that occcur within VAWG related incidents, are more likely to be active bystanders, as well as reduce their own chances of victimisation.