GAMBLING HELP SERVICES

MENTORING PROGRAM

GUIDELINES

RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING FUND

This document forms part of akit for mentors and mentees in the

Gambling Help Services Mentoring Program.

For information on the application process for mentors, see:

Expression of Interest Application form.

RGF welcomes feedback on the Mentoring Program.

Please send your responses to

INTRODUCTION

The Gambling Help workforce is dynamic and changing. Current practitioners[1] and new recruits(includinggambling and financial counsellors, legal professionals and managers of services)are often required to move to new services and roles. The Gambling Help Services Mentoring Program is being introduced to support both current practitioners and new recruits to quickly develop skills for changing roles.

The Guidelinesoutline the nature and benefits of mentoring generally as well as the mentoring framework being established for the Gambling Help Sector.

WHAT IS MENTORING?

The Oxford English Dictionary definition of a mentor is:

An experienced and trusted adviser, and an experienced person in an organisation or institution who trains and counsels new employees or students.

Mentoring is a learning and development process. It allows a mentee to discuss and learn froma more experienced mentor.

A mentoring arrangement requires time commitment from both parties. To ensure this happens, line management and organisational support is required.Mentoring should focus on work related issues and not be regarded as supervision, coaching, or a substitute for clinical supervision.

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL MENTORING

An effective mentoring arrangement works best when both parties are flexible and committed to the relationship.

Mentees should:

  • identify a mentor based on their developmental needs with the support of theirmanager and agency
  • propose an agenda to meet their development needs
  • set the topics for discussion and decide on meeting frequency.

Potential mentors should:

  • be outside mentees’ line of management
  • consider the knowledge, skills, experience and commitment they can bring to the role
  • consider their compatibility with the prospective mentee. Mentoring works best when the mentor has the capacity to establish a rapport and can help the mentee set clear goals, timelines and boundaries to the relationship.

Within a safe environment, a mentor can support the mentee, challenge assumptions,encourage reflection and prompt self-directed learning.

BENEFITS OF MENTORING:[2]

For the mentee, it provides:

  • personal development,self-confidence and self esteem
  • career progression and opportunities to explore alternative routes
  • capability building and skills development in self-directed learning
  • access to the mentor’s knowledge, skills and experience, and
  • the opportunity to develop networks.

For the mentor, it offers:

  • personal development and satisfaction
  • new insights
  • the opportunity to improve networks with other areas and/or new organisations.

For the organisation, it fosters:

  • learning and development opportunities for both mentee and mentor
  • staff satisfaction and retention
  • sharing of good practice and learning within and across the organisation
  • a culture of sharing and openness that can benefit organisational development
  • a higher level of applied learning, as opposed to external training courses, and at lowercost
  • development of networks across teams and organisations
  • self-directed learning that enables individuals to drive their development.

BENEFITS OF MENTORING IN THE GAMBLING HELP SECTOR

Gambling Help Servicepractitioners(including gambling and financial counsellors, clinical supervisors, legal, research and development professionals, community engagement personnel,intake officers and managers)will find mentoring particularly beneficial if they have moved to a new service area or role andarekeen to increase capabilities, develop networks and accelerate their career.

The process should be kept as flexible as possible, where a mentee identifies an area for development as well as a potential mentor from the Gambling Help ServicesDirectory of Mentors.

A practitionermay have a number of mentors each with different areas of knowledge and expertise according to his/her needs. These relationships may be temporary, one-off or sequential. Mentoring should be seen as a voluntary activity assisting colleagues in the sector.

STEPS TO IMPLEMENTATION FOR MENTEES IN THE GAMBLING HELPSECTOR

As a first step to implementation,a Directory will be established through an Expression of Interest process for mentors. The EOI Guidelines and application form are attached.

The Directory will enable a less experienced practitioner interested in being mentored to find and engage appropriately skilled and experienced mentors with the support of their line managers.

Once the Directory is established and published by 15 April 2014, the first steps for a mentee will be to identify area/s of developmentin which toseek mentoring support and expertise; obtain line management approval; and make contact with the mentor/s. Once the process is established, email d indicate that a suitable mentor has been identified, line management approval has been received and the program has commenced. When the program is completed or discontinued, email notification should also be sent to the Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing.

An evaluation via Survey Monkey will be conducted at the end of 2014 with participating groups (mentees, mentors and organisations) to determine the success of the program.

DIRECTORY OF MENTORS

The recruitment and selection of mentors will be through anExpression of Interest process.The closing date for applications is 28 March 2014. Applications received will be assessed by a panel and successful candidates published in a directory by mid April. The Directory will be made available on the Office of Liquor, Gaming Racing website, the Gambling Help Extranet site and a link provided in the Responsible Gambling Fund’s e-newsletter.

Applications for mentors will be accepted throughout the year and approved mentors will be added to the online Directory.

It is acknowledged that a range of factors may affect a mentor’s ability to undertake mentoring at particular periods of time. Approved mentors can negotiate the option to change their ongoing availability for mentoring as required.

Appendix –Questionnaire

The following questions are to be answered by the mentor and mentee inpreparation for their first arranged meeting. These answers do not have to be shared butthey provide a good basis for discussion at the first meeting.

Why are you participating in the Gambling Help ServicesMentoring Program?

______

______

______

What led you to your career in (specify your area/s of expertise)?

______

______

______

Why do you enjoy (specify your area/s of expertise)?

______

______

______

What do you expect from your mentor/mentee?

______

______

______

What do you hope to learn by participating in the Gambling Help Services

MentoringProgram?

______

______

______

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

GUIDELINES and application form

to BECOME a MENTOR

for gambling HELP SERVICES

This document forms part of a kit for mentors and mentees in the

Gambling Help Services Mentoring Program.

For information on the application process for mentors, see:

Mentoring Program Guidelines.

RGF welcomes feedback on the Mentoring Program.

Please send your responses to

1

1. RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING FUND

The Responsible Gambling Fund draws its income from a two percent levy paid by the operator of the Sydney casino which funds a range of programs, services, activities and projects which promote responsible gambling, including a network of gambling help services across NSW.

The Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing is responsible for approving expenditure from the RGF following recommendations made by the RGF Trustees.

2. Mentoring pROJECT

2.1Background

The Mentoring program is a key workforce development strategy which is supported by feedback from annual workforce development and exit surveys to address the skills of current practitioners and new recruits in the dynamic workforce of problem gambling counselling.

2.2What is Mentoring?

The Oxford English Dictionary definition of a mentor is:

An experienced and trusted adviser, and an experienced person in an organisation or institution who trains and counsels new employees or students.

Mentoring is a learning and development process. It allows a mentee to discuss and learn from a more experienced mentor.

3. APPLICATION PROCESS

3.1assessment

Potential mentors must complete an expression of interest form outlining their areas of expertise and seek the necessary support of relevant referees and their current manager. A panel will assess the applications received.

Applicants may only appeal a decision on the basis of probity. Such appeals will be considered by the Director, Strategic Engagement and Development.

Applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application.

3.2Directory of Mentors

Approved mentors will be placed with their contact details on an online directory which will be available on the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing website and the Gambling Help Extranet.

The Directory will enable Gambling Help practitioners to find and engage appropriate skilled and experienced mentors, based on individual need.

Applications from mentors will be accepted throughout the year and once approved will be added to the directory on an ongoing basis.

Approved mentors will be able to indicate their current availability on the Directory.

  1. TRAINING AND SUPPORT

The RGF will provide approved mentors access to relevant support materials to assist them in this role, if needed.

  1. SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS

Expressions of Interest must be forwarded to the Responsible Gambling Fund via email at or by post at RGF, GPO Box 7060, SYDNEY NSW 2001.

1

SECTION A – Applicant Details
NAME OF PROPOSED MENTOR
POSITION AND ORGANISATION
WORK TELEPHONE AND MOBILE
EMAIL
SECTION B – Areas of Expertise

Please complete the table to indicate the area that you are able to provide mentoring. Add rows as required.

Please also provide details of a referee/s who can comment on your expertise.

Area/s of Expertise/Speciality / Referee Name and Organisation / Referee contact details
Examples:
Working with CALD/Aboriginal communities; reluctant clients; homeless groups; the Media; Industry; Venues;research activities; community engagement; on-line telephone and video conferencing; telephoneclient counselling; client follow up; intake and assessment processes; family counselling, couples counselling, support groups for family and friends; support groups for family post recovery; outreach to other agencies; legal support; financial counselling; presentation skills; managing up; line supervision skills; Other (not listed).
SECTION C- Management Support

I support the addition of this practitioner to the Directory for Mentors.

I am aware that his/her availability can change due to work demands.

NAME AND POSITION
ORGANISATION
WORK TELEPHONE AND MOBILE
EMAIL
SIGNATURE
SECTION D- Application Checklist (For your use - Do not include with your application)

Obtain and read the Guidelines for Mentoring.

Make sure your application is complete.

Email your application to: post/deliver to:

Gambling Help Services Mentoring Program

Responsible Gambling Fund

NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing

Level 9, 323 Castlereagh Street

GPO Box 7060

SYDNEY NSW 2000

Check that your application has been received and acknowledged.

Date and maintain a file for your own records!

1

[1]Refer the RGF Code of Ethics for the meaning of a Practitioner in the Gambling Help Sector -

[2]Guidance Series – Mentoring Framework for the U.K. Health sector -