Mentors are normally fellow programme leaders with experience of SEDA-PDF. They will have engaged in CPD by undertaking annual training in mentoring and accrediting SEDA-PDF programmes.
What does a mentor do? Once appointed, the mentor will contact the programme leader and discuss documentation as well as lead the applicant through the recognition and accreditation process. The mentor acts in an advisory role and as such will provide constructive feedback on draft documentation, as well as discuss timescales and concerns. The appointment of a mentor, also gives access to experienced peers whose institutions may be engaged in similar activity.
The Mentoring Role
The Co-Chairs of the SEDA-PDF Committee are responsible for the appointment of mentors. The appointment will be undertaken based on the relevant experience of the mentor and nature of the institution to be recognised and the programme(s) to be accredited.
- Once appointed the mentor should make early contact with the programme leader to discuss initial plans (telephone/email)
- The mentor should ensure that the programme leader has the correct documentation and confirm the recognition and accreditation process, answering any questions (telephone/email)
- In some circumstances it may be necessary to arrange a site visit but this is not expected to be the norm. (Institutions can request a visit but they will need to fund the travel costs)
- The mentor should agree approximate timescales with the programme leader/contact and send this information to the SEDA office
- The mentoring role is advisory only and does not form part of the formal accreditation process
- The mentor advises on where and how participants on the programme(s) engage with the PDF award outcomes and values. Participants will need to have opportunities to develop and demonstrate their understanding of the outcomes and values through the programme and its assessment
- This may involve programme leaders reviewing aspects of their provision to ensure it aligns with the outcomes and values of the award. Mentors may need to clarify any assumptions and expectations
- The mentor advises on the quality assurance and enhancement opportunities in place for SEDA elements of the provision
- The mentor will advise on the completion of the forms and what supporting documents are necessary for recognition and accreditation. (The Prezi which can be found here provides examples of what is expected in each of the documents and forms)
- The mentor will read drafts of the recognition and accreditation documents, proof-read them and provide constructive feedback. This could involve reading a number of agreed drafts, but would not normally exceed reviewing two or three versions
- The mentor should be available (within reason) for email/telephone support throughout the preparation period
- The mentoring fee may be claimed once the mentor has completed the mentoring process and handed over the process to the accreditor. A conversation between the mentor and accreditor takes place at this point.
- Where no progress has been made due to issues within the institution/organisation after nine months, the fee may be paid to the mentor. The organisation/institution will then be required to pay for another mentor, should they want to resume the process of preparing for accreditation
- A short feedback report on the mentoring process will be invited from the programme leader in the final recognition/accreditation/review report
- Once the accreditation process has been completed, the mentor will engage in a conversation with the accreditor based on their critical reflection on the process and their involvement as a mentor.
Details on becoming a SEDA-PDF mentor
