Developing a Mentoring Programme
Introduction
At The Mentoring School we are proud to have worked with hundreds of organisations to establish and support the development of mentoring programmes. We establish a partnership approach from the inception and planning phase, working to understand the long-term goals of the programme, ensuring that every step of the way aligns with their priorities and values. Along with tailored action plans designed to be adaptable to meet future needs, our dedicated team provide ongoing support throughout the lifespan of the project.
Read on to learn more about how we can work with you to develop a mentoring programme within your oganisation.
The Mentor Programme Framework for Organisations
Mentoring programmes should reflect four key areas to maximise effectiveness and sustainability of the scheme. These are: Operations, Training, Promotion, and Evaluation.
Framework Details
Operations
Having a proper operational framework is vital for a mentoring programme to succeed, with best practice guidelines needing to be embedded from the foundational level.
Mentoring programmes need to have a clearly defined objective which aligns with the organisation’s goals, as this in turn informs the entire shape of the programme.
With this objective identified, we review the policies and procedures involved to provide insight and advice for making sure that they meet the needs and challenges which mentoring programmes present. For instance, establishing a matching process for mentees and mentors based on complementary skills and goals, as well as ensuring that clear lines of support for participants are accessible at every stage of the process.
Our expert teams support the organisation at every step of the way throughout operational development, deployment, and assessment. As such, our partners can be sure that their mentoring programmes are not only functional, but effective and scalable for the future.
Training
All participants in mentoring programmes need to have some degree of training so as to support ongoing best practice. For mentors this should include training on the responsibilities of their role, safeguarding, tailoring their approach to the needs of the mentee, understanding the relevant policies and procedures, and the support available to them throughout the process.
To get the best out of their support, mentees should also at least an introductory level of training before they begin their mentorship. This should cover an overview of how the process works, understanding what is expected from them, and making sure that they know how to raise any concerns which may arise.
The Mentoring School provides training packages which meet all of these criteria, with varied levels to best match the experience of those involved. We are also able to further tailor modules and delivery according to the specific needs and goals of an organisation. This includes options for Continuing Professional Development for programme participants, allowing them to improve their range of skills over time.
Promotion
In order to have an effective mentoring programme, it is important that participants are clear from the start as to the aims and expectations involved. This allows people to confidently engage with the opportunity and improve outcomes. Therefore, a key step is to have a plan for internal and external communications which makes this information clear whilst encouraging participation.
Take for example, an organisation seeking to establish a mentoring programme with the aim of upskilling its teams to address skills gaps. They would need to identify the specific skills which need development, as well as the target audience for this initiative, in order to ensure that promotional communications can be as effective as possible.
Evaluation
Analysing the impact of a mentoring programme is a key part of the overall process, with ongoing monitoring of progress and experience being essential for guiding the development of the initiative.
Linking to the operations elements, we help to establish systems for regular check-ins, as well as encouraging feedback from all participants. This allows organisers to closely monitor the progress of mentorships, making sure that all involved are in fact benefitting from the arrangement and wish to continue. Moreover, gathering this data and tracking responses over the course of the programme is vital for analysing the outcomes against the stated goal of the programme, and informing projections for model scaling.
Next Steps
Establishing mentoring programmes within organisations can be a complex process. The Mentoring School believes in working in partnership to inform, guide and advise organisations on how to create and develop mentoring programmes which deliver real results.
To have a no-obligation conversation with us about how we can partner with you to achieve your mentoring goals, contact us today.