Frequently asked questions for the Mentor Plus scheme
1. What are the aims of the Mentor Plus scheme?
The overarching aim of the Mentor Plus scheme is to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families by supporting directors of children’s services (DCSs) to further develop the skills and experience they need to be truly inspirational and highly effective leaders.
The mentoring scheme is designed to build on the insights, strengths and current experience of serving DCSs, and transfer this knowledge to newly appointed DCSs through a mentoring relationship.
2. Who should take part in the Mentor Plus scheme?
Ideally, we are looking for serving DCSs with the experience and the capacity to mentor their peers, and DCSs who left post within the last 12 months, who wish to become an accredited mentor with the Virtual Staff College. Individual applications will be considered on their own merits, but we are targeting DCSs with approximately three years experience.
3. I’m not sure if I meet all of the eligibility criteria to become a mentor. Will my application still be considered?
Individual applications will be considered on their own merits. If you would like to discuss your application please contact alix.morgan@virtualstaffcollege.co.uk. Alternatively, complete the online application form and your application will be assessed from there.
4. I’m not sure that the Mentor Plus scheme is the right programme for me. Who can advise me?
This scheme is targeted at DCSs who wish to mentor their peers and have the opportunity to address large scale system-wide challenges for the furtherance of better service delivery and greater impact on outcomes. Please email your enquiry to alix.morgan@virtualstaffcollege.co.uk
5. How do I apply to become a mentor on the Mentor Plus scheme?
All applications for Virtual Staff College programmes are through online application.
6. What is the overall time commitment to be a mentor through the Mentor Plus scheme?
A mentor may be responsible for up to three mentees, but this will be addressed according to need and the time that the mentor is able to commit.
Guidance will be provided to all mentors in terms of the suggested structure and frequency of mentor sessions; the Virtual Staff College is proposing that there are at least eight mentoring sessions over a period of time negotiated between the mentor and mentee, of which at least half should be face-to-face.
We estimate that mentoring will occupy 25-35 hours per mentee.
7. Are there any assessed activities or pieces of work to become a mentor?
One-day induction events will take place periodically (dates will be published on our website). All mentors are requested to attend an induction event so we can explain the mentoring programme, outline the accreditation process, establish your previous mentoring experience and agree your individual training requirements. This will be followed by a series of mentor support seminars which will be highly interactive and build upon the experience of the participants whilst also considering the theoretical background to mentoring and process consultation. Accreditation for mentors will be finalised after the fourth mentoring meeting and is informed by the reports from both mentor and mentee.
You will be asked to provide a ‘pen portrait’. Completing this will enable us to offer a more comprehensive overview of your experience and interests to colleagues who have requested a mentor and thus enable us to more effectively match you with a suitable DCS mentee.
8. What happens if no-one has requested a mentor at the time of my application?
There may be a time when no mentees are requesting mentors. However, research shows that 30 new DCSs are appointed each year. We aim to match mentors with mentees on an individual basis according to the skills of the mentors and the needs of the mentees.
9. What happens if I stop being a serving DCS during my participation on the scheme?
If you retire from your post you can continue to mentor and share your experiences.
10. How much does the Mentor Plus scheme cost?
There is no cost associated to this programme.
11. Will I be reimbursed for my time as a mentor?
It is likely that your Local Authority (LA) will receive payment for your time at a standard day rate for Senior LA officers. Some travel expenses will also be covered by the Virtual Staff College in line with the exceptional expenses policy. More information on this will be given out at the induction events.
12. Who is eligible to have a mentor?
Our initial priority is to ensure that serving DCSs appointed since April 2009 are offered an accredited mentor. However, we would welcome interest from anyone who would like an accredited mentor and we will consider all cases on an individual basis.
13. How do I request a mentor?
There is currently no online registration process to request a mentor. The DCS team will proactively contact all new appointments to the DCS post to establish whether a mentor is required. In addition we would welcome any interest at alix.morgan@virtualstaffcollege.co.uk
14. Is there a deadline for registering for a mentor?
No. The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) will advise the Virtual Staff College of all new appointments and we will contact you with an offer of a mentor. This will ensure you have sufficient mentoring prior to your start date.
15. What is the overall time commitment as a mentee?
There will be at least eight mentoring sessions over a period of time negotiated between you and your mentor, of which at least half will be face-to-face.
16. Are there any assessed activities or pieces of work for mentees?
No. Your mentor will have been accredited by the Virtual Staff College, which will involve an assessment, and training where necessary, to achieve this.
17. How ICT literate do I need to be to participate in the Mentor Plus scheme?
We will ask you to register for the mentoring programme online if you wish to become a mentor. This is a simple process.
You will also become a registered user of the Virtual Staff College which will give you access to the online community and online materials and publications held within a dedicated children’s services area. More resources will become available as we develop our DCS provision.
Should you require technical advice this is available from events@virtualstaffcollege.co.uk or telephone David Tilbrook on 0161 838 5764.