Mentor Application

Guidance Notes

‘Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction’

(John Crosby)

North East Learning Collaborative Mentoring Scheme

Benefits of being a mentor

There are many benefits to becoming a mentor including the opportunity to make a real difference and contribute towards an individual’s (mentee’s) development. However, you will not be expected to 'fix' a situation and ultimately it is only the mentee who can achieve their goals – you can only offer a problem solving approach not a solution.

Through mentoring you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Share experiences and learning with mentees to help them achieve their goals
  • Develop your mentoring skillset
  • Gain new and different perspectives, particularly working across different organisations
  • Continuously learn as you go through the mentoring relationship and from fellow mentors

Mentor Person Specification

You will be:

  • Committed to your own personal development
  • An experienced leader/manager
  • Able to challenge mentees’ ideas and thinking, whilst being supportive and enabling
  • Committed to high personal performance
  • An effective communicator
  • Able to motivate self and your mentee
  • Able to influence and interpret strategy
  • Willing to work with a mentee outwith your own organisation
  • Respectfulof diversity

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions below have been designed to give you some more information about mentoring, and to help you make up your mind about whether being a mentor is right for you.

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is essentially about helping people to develop more effectively. It is a relationship designed to build confidence and help the individual (mentee) take increasing initiative for his or her own development to achieve their goals.

A good mentor will not tell a mentee what to do, but will help them identify and work through their options, whilst at the same time challenging and supporting them in their choice.

Is mentoring different from coaching?

There is a very fine line between coaching and mentoring which has been subject to much debate over the years!

In this mentoring scheme we use a ‘coaching style’ of mentoring whereby the mentors encourage mentees to think through the options themselves and get to a solution with your support. It is perfectly permissible to share your knowledge and experiences with your mentee to help them find a solution.

In coaching, however,it’s not about passing on your knowledge and experience, it’s about listening and asking the right questions in order to get the individual to reach a solution. This is the main difference between the two approaches.

What is your role asa mentor?

A mentor will provide mentees with a different perspective by sharing their knowledge and experience in an impartial manner. You will also challenge their ideas and thinking in a supportive way to help them to achieve specific goals.

Some mentees may be new to their role or want to develop further in their current role or wish to progress further in their career, mentoring could be just what they need.

Should I become a mentor?

The answer is anyone could potentially become a mentor. However, for the purpose of this scheme we are looking for individuals who meet the requirements set out in the mentor person specification.

It is also crucial that you able to devote the required time to make the relationship successful. This is likely to be 1-2 hours every 4-6 weeks.

Will there be any training for prospective mentors?

Yes. A half day training session will be provided for all of our prospective mentors. The training covers everything from setting up the relationship to the skills you’ll need to be an effective mentor.

How am I matched to a mentee?

You’ll be matched with a mentee based on their requirements and your skills/background that you have outlined in your application form. It is crucial therefore that you give as much information as possible about the skills and experience you have, so that we can make the best match.

The matching process will be managed and facilitated by a member from each of the co-ordinating organisations.

If I am selected as a mentor, how many mentees will I be allocated?

Ideally you would mentor one mentee, however there will be the odd occasion where your skills match more than one. It is up to you decide whether you are able to support an additional mentee. You’ll only ever be allocated a maximum of 2 - there is a section in the application formwhich asks you to indicate your preference.

The focus of the matching process is rightfully on what the mentee requires from their mentor which will evidently vary from person to person. It is therefore possible for mentors at any given time to be without a mentee to support, as this will depend on theirrequirements and also the number of mentees requiring a mentor.

There are however regular requests for mentors in each of the participating organisations, therefore those not initially matched will be kept in the mentor pool until a suitable match is identified.

How do I build trust and develop a relationship with my mentee?

The commitment of both you and your mentee is documented in the form of a written agreement from the outset, which contains your own ground rules for

the relationship, including statement of roles, expectations, learning objectives and discussion topics.

Once you and your mentee have created your agreement and begin to live by it, trust will be built in the same way as in other relationships.

What is the role of the mentee’s line manager? Does it change?

The role of the mentee’s line manager does not change in relation to their duties towards them. However, their relationship with their line manager is likely to change in a positive way as they develop over the course of the mentoring relationship.

What about the time commitment?

One of the great advantages of mentoring is that it takes little time in actual hours invested to produce a result. After the briefing and training phases are complete, you are likely to spend about 1-2 hours every 4-6 weeks together.

Relationships typically last 6-12 months and usually no longer than 18 months. The actual number of hours and length will depend on the circumstances of each of mentoring relationship.

Should we use work time or are we strictly on our own time?

Many find it convenient to have their regular discussions over an extended lunch that often includes work time. However, this should be discussed with your line manager before your meetings takes place.

What can I do if I feel the relationship isn’t working?

If problems arise in your mentoring relationship, this should not become a reason to automatically discard it. Conflicts and misunderstandings can arise in any relationship.

Working through these problems that can arise in a mentoring relationship is a part of the development opportunity that makes the experience unique and worthwhile.

However, leaving the mentoring relationship is perfectly okay. The conditions under which your relationship could be ended should be discussed at your first meeting. It is also advisable to discuss the ending of the relationship with the mentoring co-ordinator before it comes to an end.

Will I be rewarded for my involvement?

If you are expecting an immediate monetary or other reward for your involvement in the mentoring relationship, then you will be very disappointed. The rewards of mentoring are intrinsic - the rewards are in the same vein as those achieved in any learning environment.

The focus of mentoring is on the development of your personal/professionalgoals and professional skills/competencies.

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Contacts List

Main contact for all queries Telephone – 01224 665724

Contacts in the North East Learning Collaborative

Organisation / Contact / Email / Telephone
Aberdeen City Council / Kim Wong / / 01224 522180
Aberdeenshire Council / Ann Williamson / / 01224 665724
ACVO / Kaja Czuchnicka / / 01224 686078.
Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action / Lindsay Adam / / 01330 8252027
NESCOL / Susan Webster / / 01224 612320
NHS Grampian / Anne Inglis / / 01224 558532
Police Scotland / Aileen Reid / / 01224 305098
Robert GordonUniversity / Susan MacLennan
Susan Mackay / / 01224 262093
01224 262017
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service / Andrea Fraser / / 01224 728634

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North East Learning Collaborative Mentoring Scheme

Guidance notes for completion of application form

Thank you for your interest in the joint mentoring scheme. This form is designed to provide us with as much information as possible about you in order for us to match you with a mentee.

As you complete this form you should:

  • Carefully consider and check that you meet the person specification
  • Complete the form honestly - be specific about how you can demonstrate commitment developing others
  • Complete the key sections on background and experience
  • Give details of any previous experience you have of mentoring or being mentored, and what plans you have for your own development
  • Provide details of your job history - be specific and concise, concentrating on your main skills, experiences and achievements

If you have queries relating to the completion of the application form or the scheme itself then please contact Ann Williamson on 01224 665724 or email .

Completed forms should be sent to Sunday 7 May 2017

What happens next?

  • The ‘matching’ meeting will then take place, after which successful mentees will be informed and mentors will be asked to make contact. Ideally, familiarisation meetings should commence within 4 weeks
  • In preparation for becoming a mentor, it is expected that mentors will attend a half day training session. These sessions will be arranged by your organisation’s lead contact and you will be contacted individually with details.

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