CENTRAL COAST GROWING TOGETHER MENTOR PROJECT Why Promote my Managers as Mentors?

What is the Central Coast Growing Together Mentor Project?

Central Coast Growing Together Mentor project is an innovative sector support and leadership project aimed at increasing regional leadership capacity, interagency collaboration, external support, and the sharing of experience and knowledge amongst Child and Family Services in the Central Coast Region.

Why allow my managers to mentor others?

Mentoring is a fantastic, on-the-job method of learning and developing new leadership skills. In the pilot project that was run in Northern Sydney, mentors reported the following: 100% of mentors agreed that they were learning new skills by mentoring someone else including: Facilitating professional development and encouraging self-reflection by mentee; Continuing to work in partnership and rather than be "an expert" Being a sounding board and facilitator of reflection; Skills of time management, reflection, goal setting etc are all reinforced and practised more through this process; Further developing an understanding of the nuances between mentoring, counselling and supervision where they are similar and where they differ, the importance of seeing them separately, and how to integrate them effectively.

100% of mentors agreed that they were increasing in confidence and leadership skills including: I particularly like the relationship of mentoring and this mentoring relationship is allowing me to get timely and effective feedback re my mentoring skills in a way that really works for me; Being able to translate professional knowledge and experience and offer this to mentee to assist in their professional development.

100% said that their experience of their mentoring relationship was positive.
As part of participation in the program, mentors:

Receive two days of tailored mentoring and leadership training; Learn about (and apply) concepts such as personal leadership, mentoring structures and approaches, staff support and development, and sector-specific mentoring content in a comfortable and genuine training environment;

Central Coast Growing Together Mentor Project Application Page | 1

Have the opportunity to support the development of a colleague who is growing in their local leadership capacity; Meet with their mentee for one hour each month over 18 months and support their personal growth and contribution to the local sector; Have access to one post-training phone or Skype coaching session to improve their mentoring practice.

Are there any costs for being involved?

Thanks to funding supplied by the NSW Department of Families and Community Services there is no cost to participating staff and organisations. However, in achieving maximum outcomes for all participants and for the sector, it is expected that participants in the project complete all program requirements as outlined in the project Agreement and Application package.

Who can I talk to for more information?

We would love to hear from you! Please feel encouraged to contact: Rochelle Romero KTS Regional Project Manager Central Coast 4321 7537 Rochelle.Romero@facs.nsw.gov.au

Central Coast Growing Together Mentor Project Application Page | 2