Mentoring Programs

A mentoring program for your staff, set up and run on your behalf

Most people never ask someone to mentor them. I didn’t. Over my career I came across hundreds of people who would have made excellent mentors, but I never asked any of them. I was worried about their time constraints, about being refused, and about whether I was too junior or too senior to ask. Many of your staff probably feel the same.

A structured mentoring program removes that barrier. It gives people permission to ask, and gives experienced staff a clear, supported way to share what they know. Done well, mentoring can build confidence and capability, and help keep good people.

Setting up a program takes time most organisations don’t have. I take care of all of it, and run a six-month program built around the issues that matter for your organisation. It’s designed for aged care and health providers and regulators.

What's included

1. Planning. A conversation to understand what you want the program to achieve. That might be developing new leaders, supporting early-career staff, sharing specialist knowledge across your teams, or something entirely different.

2. Recruitment. All promotional material, including invitations to mentors, calls for mentee applications, an application form and participant communications.

3. Matching. Careful pairing of mentors and mentees, based on both shared experiences and differences.

4. Training. Separate training for mentors and mentees, covering roles and expectations, goal setting, listening and making the most of each meeting. Participants also receive practical resources, such as a mentoring agreement and a goal-setting guide.

5. Running the program. Introductions, check-ins at the start and midpoint, conversation starters, and support if a relationship stalls.

6. Conclusion and evaluation. A wrap-up that recognises participants’ achievements, a participant feedback survey, and a short report on outcomes with recommendations for future programs.

Program size. Up to 8 mentors and 8 mentees.

Timeframe. Six months from launch to evaluation, with mentoring pairs meeting about once a month.

Fee. Under $10,000 plus GST for the complete program. Additional pairs, a second cohort and a closing event can be added.

Experience. I designed and led a structured mentoring program for senior and early-career regulators, from recruitment and matching through to training and evaluation. As a lawyer, I’ve mentored new law graduates through the Law Society of NSW for a number of years, and I’ve completed formal training in developing mentoring programs. Across 30 years in nursing, law and health practitioner regulation, including senior roles at Ahpra, I’ve led teams and developed and coached staff into promotions and new roles.

Let's talk.