NHS Mentoring Programme

A centrally accessible voluntary mentoring programme is now available to NHS staff across London to offer leadership development to all aspiring leaders, at all levels, across the NHS in London.

Benefits of the programme

1. To provide individuals with the opportunity to spend time on a regular basis with a mentor who will provide support and a broader perspective on work issues

2. To focuses on enabling individuals to think more widely about their work and to take supported action to develop themselves
3. It acts as a safe and confidential arena to explore and build an understanding of the management of change
4. It adds value to the process of management and to enhance managerial capability across organisations
5. It fosters mutually developmental partnerships

We have over 150 mentors registered on the system who are ready and waiting to share their experience and guide other staff through the transition period.

How does mentoring support staff?

Given the extensive and continuing modernisation occurring within the NHS and other public sector organisations, which is changing the way that our staff need to work, it is felt that mentoring allows: Off-line support to encourage innovation and creativity, through an external sounding board able to challenge assumptions Working beyond professional/organisational boundaries, to develop wider understanding and recognise the ‘bigger picture' Development of leadership skills for inevitable ongoing changes: ‘Time out' to reflect on own and others' learning and leadership approaches Feedback, challenge and support from an impartial mentor, able to ask powerful questions and unlock potential

The mentoring relationship process

The NHS London Mentor Tracker is a confidential database of potential mentees and mentors maintained by NHS London where key information (such as location, background, and level) will be used to undertake a robust matching process. After approval of their profile, mentees can contact mentors who they believe offer the knowledge, skills and experiences they seek. An initial 'chemistry' meeting will occur at the mentor and mentees' earliest convenience, at which they can agree to start building a mentoring relationship. The first meeting should include contracting, setting objectives and establishing boundaries. How often and for how long the mentoring relationship continues should be discussed and agreed upon between the pairs. At the end of the mentoring relationship, pairs should explore how and when the goals and objectives were realised, and celebrate their success.

How can I join the programme as a Mentee?

Follow the link on the right to register as a mentee. Fill in the online profile, and wait for confirmation from the Leading for Health team that your profile has been approved.

How can I join the programme as a Mentor?

We have trained over 150 mentors who are ready and waiting to share their experience and guide other staff through the transition period. As a result of such high mentor numbers, we are not currently offering mentor training at this time. If you are a trained mentor, please contact Hannah Reed (Hannah.Reed@london.nhs.uk)