Benefits of the Mentor Plus scheme
Working in close association with ADCS and as part of its commitment to system leadership within children’s services, the Virtual Staff College on behalf of the Children’s Improvement Board and its Leadership Forum, will ensure that all newly appointed first-time directors of children’s services (DCSs) have access to an experienced and highly credible mentor.
Mentoring is an important strand in professional development for new leaders of children’s services but cannot meet the full range of needs by itself. While induction is fundamentally the responsibility of the employer, mentoring sits alongside induction and more formal training opportunities.
The mentoring scheme is expected to provide benefits for both the mentee and the mentor.
Benefits for the mentee
- an effective and highly personalised professional support network during the critical early months of taking up the post
- assistance to settle capably and confidently into the job
- identification of areas in which they will benefit from further professional development
- experience of particular areas of work and insights into successful practice
- advice and guidance from an experienced DCS to illuminate circumstances and issues that are faced by new DCSs
- improved understanding, knowledge and skills required for the role
Benefits for the mentor
- improved job satisfaction
- development of specific skills
- the opportunity for self-reflection, leading to developments in their own practice
- development of professional relationships
- enhanced peer recognition