Phase 1 of the programme is designed for middle leaders working in children’s services who are:

• New to their role (up to 18 months in post)
• Looking for structured, reflective support to develop their leadership practice
• Seeking guidance, challenge and space to grow in confidence and capability

By middle leaders, we mean Team Managers, Service Managers, Heads of Service or equivalent.

Mentees get to choose their mentor from a regional pool, based on experience, role and development needs.

Mentees will need their line manager’s permission to apply.

Register your interest as a Mentee here

In phase 1 of the programme we are recruiting mentors with a wide range of knowledge, lived and professional experience across children's services.
To become a mentor, you must be:

• A middle leader (e.g. Team Managers, Service Managers, Heads of Service or equivalent) with a minimum of 3 years’ experience, or
• In a role above middle leadership

Once trained, mentors join a regional mentor pool and become part of a regional network committed to improvement, collaboration and leadership development supporting middle leaders across the East Midlands.

Qualified or new to mentoring - interested in becoming a mentor?
Mentors will need their line manager’s permission to apply.

Register your interest as a Mentor here

All mentors take part in a two-part training programme, designed to:

• Build effective mentoring skills
• Support your own leadership journey
• Help shape the future of the East Midlands Mentoring Programme

The training, whether you’re completely new to mentoring or looking to refresh and deepen your practice, ensures a consistent, high-quality mentoring experience for both mentors and mentees.

“The relationship with a mentee is different to those you line manage, often with someone outside of your specific area and so it also presents a learning opportunity for the mentor. I think the experience of being a mentor is something every leader would benefit from.”

- Rachel Miller (mentor), Nottinghamshire County Council

The mentoring relationship was genuinely transformative. I gained confidence, felt supported, and discovered strengths I didn’t realise I had.”

- Jasraj Sanghera (mentee), Derby City Council