Notes on getting started and making it work

As CTN cannot provide formal introductions, induction or support please read the information below to help you get the best out of your mentoring relationship.

All participants in e-mentoring must respect the confidentiality of any matters discussed during the relationship.

Getting Started

• Discuss your expectations for the mentoring relationship and agree any goals towards which either of you want to work.

• Agree the frequency and regularity of contact, and the preferred form of contact. This may also include response times to emails or other contact.
• Agree how you will get in touch with each other if there any issues that arise between contacts.
• Agree any boundaries, for example, if you do not want someone contacting you at work.
• Agree a point in time, perhaps 3 months, when the mentoring relationship will be evaluated. At this point both parties involved should consider and agree whether they want to take the relationship any further. Such reviews should be carried out at regular intervals.
• Both parties should take equal responsibility for progression of the mentoring relationship.

Making it work

• Bear in mind that it may take a little longer to develop a good relationship using e-mentoring than if you were meeting someone face to face.

• Parties involved should respect each other's time and other responsibilities, ensuring that they do not impose beyond what is reasonable.
• Be aware of any conflicts of interest which may exist and manage these appropriately.
• Either party may terminate the relationship after discussing the matter with one another and ensuring mutual respect and understanding of the conclusion.
• Where appropriate both parties should share responsibility for the smooth winding down of the relationship.
• Please inform CTN if your mentoring relationship ceases for any reason.
• CTN cannot reimburse any expenditure.