The Impact of Formal One-to-One Mentoring Upon Vulnerable Young People: A Systematic Review

This systematic review synthesizes evidence from 24 empirical studies to examine the impact of formal one-to-one mentoring on the wellbeing and development of vulnerable young people. Guided by an ecological framework informed by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the review identifies three interrelated themes: relational processes within the mentoring dyad, program structures that support relationship stability, and outcomes across psychosocial, educational, and social domains. Findings indicate that trust, compatibility, and sustained engagement are central to effective mentoring, but these relational processes rely on strong organizational supports, including training, supervision, and planned closure. Cultural humility, contextual responsiveness, and sensitivity to structural inequities further influence engagement and impact. Across studies, mentoring effects were generally modest, but more evident when relational and program structures were well aligned. Drawing on these findings, the review proposes the Ecological Framework for Youth Mentoring, comprising five principles for stable, contextually grounded, and effective mentoring with vulnerable young people. Overall, the review positions mentoring within a broader ecology of care rather than as a stand-alone intervention, with implications for program design, equity, and future research.