Catalyst Mentors (School information pack)
Mentoring Project
We believe in young people // we believe they have value and significance // we believe in time, space, listening and hearing // we believe in encouraging talents, potential and character // we know life is hard sometimes // we believe in young people... and so do you Thank you for taking an interest in CATALYST mentoring. Through the next pages we hope to answer some of the questions you may have about the project. Please feel free to contact us with any additional comments or questions.
The Canterbury Christian Schools Work Trust ~ Registered Charity No. 1020166 Trustees: Mr P Gregory, Rev E Harmer, Mrs P Woods, Mr J Way (Chairman) Schools Workers: Heather Ratcliffe (primary) & Louise Funnell (secondary). Treasurer & Trustee: Mrs M White
Catalyst Mentors (School information pack)
Mentoring Project
The Mentoring process in school: Communication is key! CATALYST mentoring CATALYST mentoring is very much a level 1 of intervention. It is for young people who would benefit by having someone to talk to. The outcome is different for each individual, some young people just need some time to work through things that are troubling them, and after a while feel more confident to address these issues and move forward. Others may disclose certain areas in their lives that need more specialist input and advice, in which case they can then be passed on to specific counsellors or support workers etc. What is a Mentor? “A mentor is a trusted person who is willing to guide and enable another to grow into their potential” Young people tend to build relationships, want to spend time with and relate better to their peers. It is still vital though to have understanding adults around such as parents and teachers to look to for guidance and advice. A mentor acts as a good role model, who comes alongside a younger person to encourage and support them for a period of their life. They listen to and share experiences and challenges and help the young person to find solutions. They are someone who builds a trusting relationship, who seeks to develop the positive aspects of the young person and their life and to recognise and celebrate their achievements. Our Project CATALYST is the secondary schools arm of CCSWT. In 2012 CCSWT was awarded a seed grant by The Children’s Society. This was given to set up a project whereby church members can be trained to become a mentor to young people and children in the context of schools. This is a voluntary role, with a view to provide a resource to benefit schools. Canterbury Christian Schools Work Trust is a registered charity; all our workers and volunteers hold a current CRB with us and have regular supervision and child protection training.
The Canterbury Christian Schools Work Trust ~ Registered Charity No. 1020166 Trustees: Mr P Gregory, Rev E Harmer, Mrs P Woods, Mr J Way (Chairman) Schools Workers: Heather Ratcliffe (primary) & Louise Funnell (secondary). Treasurer & Trustee: Mrs M White
Catalyst Mentors (School information pack)
School responsibilities: A member of staff is required to take responsibility for the mentors in school, often the Pastoral support or Inclusion manager. They need to look after the mentors, do regular reviews with them, deal with any disclosures etc and also make them aware of school policies and procedures. They also need to organise a suitable room for mentoring to take place, this could be the canteen, library, or a suitably sized, well positioned room. The mentors will need to meet with this member of staff approx once a term to check they are happy and discuss any issues that arise. This member of staff will have the full support of CAST and we will make ourselves available to you to ensure the smooth running of the mentoring programme within your school. 1. Preparation of the mentee (young person) by the school: A brief explanation of why they are having a mentor, what the benefits may be. How long it will be for. Where and when to meet their mentor. 2. Preparation of the Mentor by the school: Name and age of mentee, a brief explanation of why they have been put forward for mentoring and any specific information that the mentor needs to be aware of (e.g. recent bereavement in the family etc). 3. Review of mentoring at 6 – 8 weeks: Mentor to meet with school line manager to discuss the process so far and how much longer they feel they need with the mentee. Agree on a suitable extension or date to finish with the mentee. School line manger should also ask the mentee if they are happy to finish or continue with their mentor. If mentoring is continuing, review at regular intervals as appropriate. 4. Endings: Endings are very important. A large number of young people who receive mentoring already have difficulties with loss and rejection; therefore they need to have a clear and positive ending to their mentoring. The mentor will encourage the mentee and highlight how well they have done during their time together. They will make it clear that they will still be coming into school, but that there are other young people who would benefit from mentoring.
The Canterbury Christian Schools Work Trust ~ Registered Charity No. 1020166 Trustees: Mr P Gregory, Rev E Harmer, Mrs P Woods, Mr J Way (Chairman) Schools Workers: Heather Ratcliffe (primary) & Louise Funnell (secondary). Treasurer & Trustee: Mrs M White
Catalyst Mentors (School information pack)
They will explain that if the mentee feels they need mentoring again, or would like to see them, they can ask the school if that would be possible to arrange. This leaves the mentee feeling positive about their progress but not abandoned, and that they have a choice. It is also important for the mentor to have a clear ending so that they too can move forward and focus on their new mentees. How do the young people get referred? Young people can access mentoring in a number of different ways, they may be advised by staff or parents, request it themselves or be required to attend as part of the support package the school is providing for them. How long will the mentoring sessions be? Again this is very much dependent on the need of the young person and the schools ability to release them from the sessions. We would advise a 20-30 minute slot once a week, this can be made longer but we wouldn’t advise over 45mins. Mentors volunteer between 1 and 3 hours a week in a school and we partner with you to how this best works in each school. What if I have complaints or concerns about Mentors? As well as following school procedures, we would ask that concerns or complaints are forwarded to our Child Protection Officer: Peter Gregory (peter.gregory12@gmail.com) Or if urgent please phone on 07835027871
What training have mentors received? Mentors have been trained over a six week course delivered by Rebecca O’Neill, who researched, piloted and established Kent Safe Schools Mentoring programmes in both secondary schools and primary schools across the county. She also worked with the National Mentoring Forum to establish their training and trained a wide range of people - from Slough Education Authority staff (-including the director!) to pupils in primary schools. Rebecca worked personally in Maidstone Schools setting up their peer mentoring and has set up schemes in Simon Langton Girls Grammar School.
The Canterbury Christian Schools Work Trust ~ Registered Charity No. 1020166 Trustees: Mr P Gregory, Rev E Harmer, Mrs P Woods, Mr J Way (Chairman) Schools Workers: Heather Ratcliffe (primary) & Louise Funnell (secondary). Treasurer & Trustee: Mrs M White
Catalyst Mentors (School information pack)
Rebecca O’Neill 01622205393 07812416344 rebecca@brogdalecic.co.uk www.brogdalecic.co.uk Mentors are also expected to continue to meet with Rebecca in group supervision each term. They are accountable to their church, the Trust and their own mentor. What safeguarding is in place? All Catalyst Mentors will be CRB checked by CCSWT, many schools do further checks – but they will definitely go through our system as part of our commitment to the safety of young people and our volunteers. Mentors know it is really important that they do not promise the young person in mentoring total confidentiality. They are duty bound to pass on information that is disclosed that puts either the young person, someone they know, or the mentor into potential danger – and this is clearly communicated to the young person regularly. On the following page is an outline of our application process and care of mentees.
The Canterbury Christian Schools Work Trust ~ Registered Charity No. 1020166 Trustees: Mr P Gregory, Rev E Harmer, Mrs P Woods, Mr J Way (Chairman) Schools Workers: Heather Ratcliffe (primary) & Louise Funnell (secondary). Treasurer & Trustee: Mrs M White
Catalyst Mentors (School information pack)
Application Process Volunteer registers with CATALYST Trainee Mentor Pack and application form is sent out to volunteer by CATALYST Volunteer returns application form and meets with CATALYST Two references are taken and evaluated by CATALYST Agreement and recognition by church leader of suitability of volunteer sent to CATALYST Full attendance at six week training course which includes Child Protection training. Course run by Rebecca O’Neill through CATALYST Trainee is interviewed by Rebecca O’Neill and Louise Funnell Successful trainee then completes enhanced disclosure from criminal records bureau through CATALYST Mentor is matched to school by CATALYST and the school LIST 99 CHECK (Administered and completed by school) Induction to school policies, structures of reporting, child protection and the school site (Administered by school mentoring co-ordinator and relevant school personnel) Mentor continues to attend once a term group support sessions and individual support sessions agreed by CATALYST and Rebecca O’Neill Further ongoing support for mentors via phone/email
The Canterbury Christian Schools Work Trust ~ Registered Charity No. 1020166 Trustees: Mr P Gregory, Rev E Harmer, Mrs P Woods, Mr J Way (Chairman) Schools Workers: Heather Ratcliffe (primary) & Louise Funnell (secondary). Treasurer & Trustee: Mrs M White
Catalyst Mentors (School information pack)
We believe in young people // we believe they have value and significance // we believe in time, space, listening and hearing // we believe in encouraging talents, potential and character // we know life is hard sometimes // we believe in young people... and so do you Thank you
The Canterbury Christian Schools Work Trust ~ Registered Charity No. 1020166 Trustees: Mr P Gregory, Rev E Harmer, Mrs P Woods, Mr J Way (Chairman) Schools Workers: Heather Ratcliffe (primary) & Louise Funnell (secondary). Treasurer & Trustee: Mrs M White