Becoming a Mentor

Mentoring can be an effective tool in helping to motivate, support and inspire young people, to raise confidence and self-esteem and levels of achievement, whether personal, academic or work related. Mentoring is one way of helping someone develop and grow, acquire new skills and insights, identify and develop potential, assist transition, overcome barriers to learning and take increasing responsibility for his/her own learning and development.

There any many types and models of mentoring and mentoring can occur for many reasons. Mentors can work on a paid or voluntary basis depending on the nature of the mentoring programme. For instance, school-based learning mentors may work with students facing barriers to learning such as poor attendance/behaviour or social/emotional problems. Learning mentors also signpost learning opportunities for young people to help them achieve their potential and challenge their aspirations. Learning mentors are usually based within a specific school and are funded by the DFES through the Excellence in Cities programme.

Volunteer mentoring programmes generally rely on recruiting mentors from the business community and public sector, from further or higher education or the wider community, including retired people. Volunteer mentors may support young people at key points of transition, helping to boost their level of motivation, confidence and self-esteem, challenge their aspirations, improve their social/communication skills, raise awareness of employability skills and the world of work and develop their coping strategies/action plans for their future. The aim of this type of mentoring is to provide a role model and encourage learners to become more independent and take responsibility for themselves. Volunteer mentors are often attached to a specific school or recruited for a specific mentoring programme.

There are many different Peer Mentoring programmes running within Barnsley, which involve older students mentoring younger students such as secondary students mentoring primary students e.g. through the transition from primary to secondary and students from further/higher education mentoring secondary school students.

E-mentoring may occur to supplement face-to-face mentoring or where it is difficult for mentor and mentee to meet regularly.

Who can become a mentor?

Learning mentors must normally have a good standard of education and previous experience of mentoring / working with young people is desirable. Full details are published within the person specification section that accompanies application forms.

Anyone can become a volunteer mentor if they are interested in the development of young people, can relate to young people, are enthusiastic and committed, are patient, are honest and do not have a police record and can offer experience of life, education and work. Full details would be published in role descriptions and specifications, accompanying application forms.

How to become a mentor

Learning Mentor posts within Barnsley schools are advertised regularly in the local press (such as The Star and Barnsley Chronicle) as well as on Barnsley MBCs website in the vacancies section.

For volunteer programmes, recruitment procedures can vary for example relevant companies or organisations may be contacted directly to discuss the possibility of providing mentors from members of their existing workforce. Promotional material for specific mentoring schemes is likely to be found in local libraries, community and resource centres such as Priory Campus.

All mentors receive relevant training and support.

Helplines

For information about becoming a learning mentor in the Barnsley area please contact the Excellence in Barnsley team on 01226 281961. More general information about Learning Mentors can be found on the DFES website.

For more information about other types of mentoring contact the Work Related Learning team on 01226 281961.

The Barnsley Mentoring Network (BMN) is a forum for organisations, across education, business, voluntary and community sectors and represents both voluntary and paid mentoring provision, already running or interested in developing mentoring programmes. For more information about the BMN, contact the Work Related Learning team on 01226 281961.

Legislation

All mentors will be expected to work within child protection guidelines and CRB police checks will be compulsory.

Owner Officer Contact Details

Work Related Learning Team
Telephone: 01226 281961
Email: wrl@barnsley.gov.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a structured process based on the needs and aspirations of the person being mentored, designed to foster the learning, growth and development of that person and enable him/her to make significant transitions in knowledge, work or thinking.

It is based on a two-way developmental relationship, built on confidentiality, trust and respect, within which both parties have equality and can share and discuss experiences and issues, unique to them in an open and supportive environment.

What is a mentor?

A mentor can be many things, but being an impartial outsider, having experience, perspective and distance and taking a special interest can make an enormous difference to a young person.

All mentors have their own unique skills and experiences and will be able to help young people in different ways. Each mentoring relationship is unique.

What does a mentor do?

Mentoring must be based on the needs of the person being mentored, within the programme aims and objectives. A mentoring relationship is more likely to succeed if it has an agreed focus. 'You are more likely to get to where you want to be if you know where you want to go'.

A mentor:

• helps and supports
• motivates
• builds confidence and self esteem
• listens
• helps to interpret and solve problems
• acts as a sounding board
• advises and guides
• plays devil's advocate
• challenges coaches
• gives positive re-enforcement
• is a 'critical' friend and protector
• is a role model
• identifies development needs and sets targets
• recognises achievements
• gives and receives feedback
• encourages reflection
• demonstrates positive behaviour

What training would I need to become a mentor?

This varies. Learning Mentors come from a variety of backgrounds, but many have already worked in schools as classroom support assistants or have come from other agencies working with young people such as the Youth Service, Connexions or the Education Welfare service.

Experience of working with young people is highly desirable, although induction and training will be provided when staff are appointed. All staff attend a national DFES five-day training programme when they are appointed.

Training for mentors may include:

• what mentoring is and is not
• skills and qualities required by a mentor
• the mentoring relationship and role
• confidentiality, child protection and disclosure
• stages in the mentoring process
• mentoring strategies and approaches
• the learning process
• working with parents
• inclusion
• school-based induction

What support would I receive when in post?

Besides receiving training, mentors are supported by a Link Learning Mentor/Coordinator and normally participate in a mentor support network, which meets on a regular basis. New staff will also continue to meet with their line manager in school on a regular basis and will be encouraged to contact other colleagues across the borough who will be more than happy to offer help/support.

All mentoring programmes should follow recommended quality guidelines.

Related Links:

• Department for Education and Skills
• The National Mentoring Network