10: Running a Coaching or Mentoring Programme Available to Purchase

This chapter is aimed specifically at coaching or mentoring programme coordinators. We will take you through all the steps and stages of running a programme, from how to set it up and recruit the right staff and/or volunteers, through to putting things in place to ensure the smooth ongoing running of the programme. We will look at how to build a suitable framework for your own programme which considers what is predictable as well as planning for potential surprises. We will outline what needs to be put in place such as referral processes, advertising and recruiting the right coaches or mentors, understanding the different ways of matching young people to staff or volunteers, induction training and the ongoing support for coaches and mentors as well as young people. We will show where and how you standardise things like assessment tools and ongoing monitoring and evaluation processes. We will look at how you assess and implement ongoing training needs for the coaches or mentors so that they feel equipped to deal with some of the issues that young people may face. We will also consider how best to support the coaches or mentors through one-to-one and/or group supervision. Another aspect to think of, and plan towards, is how the coaching or mentoring will end, so that all parties can prepare for the young person building up their future support networks beyond the coaching or mentoring relationship. Where the relationship may come to a sudden and unplanned ending, then this may raise other issues where further support or signposting is needed.