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Guidance for mentoring scheme coordinators

This section highlights key considerations when introducing a new mentoring scheme.

Get commitment from senior leaders and stakeholders

A mentoring scheme is more likely to be successful if it has the visible support of senior leaders and wide support from the institution.

Without this support, potential mentees may feel that there is no commitment behind it to progress any development activities. With senior commitment, confidence will spill down to mentors and mentees, who will be more likely to give their time, commitment and energy to the scheme.

Find a mentoring champion

Appoint a mentoring champion who is a senior member of the school or department - possibly the person selected to manage the scheme. Ensure that he or she is seen to be actively supportive on a day-to-day basis. This will be demonstrated through their help developing the scheme, a willingness to mentor others, and involvement with others participating in the scheme.

Professor Antonella de Santo on the benefits for institutions

Identify time and resources needed

Once you have decided on the scope of the scheme, you will need to consider how much time and resource to allocate to the following areas: 

• scheme management and administration
• scheme promotion
• training and development for participants 
• conducting and disseminating evaluation reports.

Next steps