Mentor Plus scheme
The Mentor Plus scheme aims to provide each newly appointed director of children’s services (DCS) with a mentor who is an experienced and successful DCS or a recently retired DCS with a track record of successful leadership.
Mentoring is particularly suited to new appointments where the mentor can offer advice and guidance based on their own experience and provide examples of dealing with similar situations, issues and challenges whilst supporting the mentee in analysis, reflection and determining appropriate action.
Key facts
The Mentor Plus scheme, which launched in September 2009 in collaboration with the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) and the Virtual Staff College, will:
- provide accredited mentors for newly appointed DCSs, creating an effective and highly personalised professional support network during the critical early months of taking up the post
- give new DCSs access to experience and knowledge that they may judge to be limited in their own career to date
- accrue benefits to both the mentor and mentee (based on the National College’s experience of school-based system leadership)
Duration
12 months
Delivery method
Newly appointed DCSs who request a mentor will receive eight mentoring sessions, focused on their identified priorities, over a maximum of 12 months.
Experienced DCSs are invited to register as a mentor with the Virtual Staff College. They will be asked to complete a short pen portrait to help potential mentees choose an appropriate mentor and need to attend an induction seminar explaining the scheme. Two mentor support seminars are provided for mentors to share experience and reflect on their practice during the mentoring relationship. Mentors on the scheme will be accredited.
Who can apply?
Newly appointed DCSs will be offered a mentor. Experienced and successful serving or recently retired DCSs can register to become a mentor.