Prior to matching a mentor with a mentee, program staff should go through all the documentation which has formed part of the screening process. A Mentor and Mentee Interest Survey form is an invaluable tool to assist with the successful matching of mentors and mentees.

Some programs will have a gathering of all mentors and mentees and spend time participating in group activities and having brief one-to-one chats, thus giving both mentors and mentees an opportunity to identify a partner they seem to identify with. They can express these thoughts in a confidential feedback form at the end of the proceedings, after which Program Staff will determine the match.

Again, depending on the type of program you are running, you might want to contact the mentor and mentee independently and give an outline of their partner without divulging names. If both parties seem positive with the information shared, that's a good time to get the match under way. Involving the parents/caregiver when the actual match is made can be a powerful way to remove any doubts the parents/caregiver might have that their role is being usurped by someone else.

Having a probationary period of 6 to 8 weeks is a non-threatening way for the mentor and mentee to see whether or not they think the partnership will work. If either feels uncomfortable about the partnership, there is another opportunity to create a new match for both parties. The Program Staff need to handle such instances sensitively as the aim is to allow both parties to enjoy a positive mentoring experience.

Generally youth mentoring programs will match the same sex ie, female with female; male with male. However, there tends to be a shortage of male mentors globally, in which case matching a male with a female is acceptable. Matching a male with a female mentee is not encouraged in most programs. Cross-cultural mentoring is also offered in many programs.

Introducing two strangers to one another will always have risks attached, hence the need for your program to have some criteria to help facilitate the matching process, such as:

Program staff are encouraged to monitor the match very closely for the first three to six months, as both parties are likely to need plenty of support as they build a trusting relationship. This is particularly relevant if your program involves high risk young people, as many of them tend to have the experience that adults do not stay around in their lives for the long-term. They might well test the mentor to see whether or not he or she will remain committed to the relationship. During such times the Program Staff can play a crucial supportive and facilitative role. It is considerably easier for School Based Programs to monitor the relationship between the mentor and mentee when they are meeting at the school on a regular basis.

Before the match occurs, both the mentor and the mentee should sign the respective program contracts. This could be done by both parties when they actually meet for the first time or prior to the match taking place. Program Staff should ensure that both parties are familiar with the content of the contracts prior to the matching and have an opportunity to ask questions should this be necessary.