Mentoring

NHS Grampian Mentoring Scheme

Mentoring is a relationship between two individuals based on a mutual desire for development towards career goals and objectives. The relationship is a non-reporting one and it does not replace the organisational structures in place. It is separate to and different from other forms of development, including training, secondment and coaching.

Mentoring in NHS Grampian is provided through a variety of routes where mentoring is provided by NHSG staff inclusive of:

· General Mentor Scheme, available to any staff across the organisation

· Consultant Mentoring offered initially to any new Consultant who has been recruited to the organisation

· Reverse Mentoring – currently in a pilot phase in 2025 and linked to the work surrounding the implementation of NHS Grampian's Anti-racism policy

What are the Benefits of Mentoring in the Workplace

Mentoring is recognised as an effective way of supporting the personal development and skills enhancement of individuals in an informal and confidential partnership, where an experienced colleague offers advice and guidance to a less experienced colleague, and responds to the agreed aims and goals identified at the outset of the mentoring partnership.

Mentoring schemes offer a variety of benefits, including:

Individual Benefits for the Mentee

• Providing a powerful boost to motivation

• Capitalising on the ideas and suggestions of new starters with fresh ideas

• Support for career and personal development

• Help with setting and achieving goals

• Encouragement and increased confidence

• Enhanced networking skills

• Find solutions to challenges

Individual Benefits for the Mentor

• Development of interpersonal and communication skills

• Development of coaching, support skills and experience

• Opportunity to reflect on their practice and affirm their expertise

• Increased self-awareness and benefit from being positively challenged

• Opportunity to build leadership skills – without line management responsibility

• Support engagement and networking

• Sense of achievement in helping someone else grow through mentoring

Organisational Benefits

• Improving communication between colleagues

• Accelerated learning and development of staff

• Development of staff in leadership and management

• Support staff transitioning into leadership and management

• Nurture and develop new talent

Who May Access Mentoring At Work

Any member of staff may apply for mentoring.  As mentoring takes place during the applicant’s normal working hours, applications for mentoring must be supported by the applicant’s line manager.

How is mentoring accessed

To access mentoring through the internal Mentor Bank you first need to complete and submit an Application for Mentoring Form, which can be completed from this link  https://forms.office.com/e/g0XK4KXcDa The application must be supported by line manager as the mentoring occurs with the Mentee and Mentor's agreed working hours.

Once this has been submitted you will be contacted by a member of the Leadership, Management & People Development Team to assess your suitability for mentoring and propose a mentor match. Applications can be submitted at any time

If you are interested in becoming a Mentor for the organisation you can submit an application through the following link https://forms.office.com/e/gXcAsPEY3Q

Following contact you will then be invited to attend a Mentor Workshop before being matched with a mentee.

For further information about accessing mentoring to support performance in the workplace, please contact Wendy Walker - Leadership Management & People Development Specialist Facilitator Email: wendy.walker4@nhs.scot or gram.coaching@nhs.scot