The ongoing training and supervision,or monitoring of the mentor/mentee match,is a crucial part of an effective youth mentoring program. It is an invaluable way for Program staff to ensure that both mentor and mentee feel safe and secure during their time together and that parents and caregiver are content with all that is going on during the mentoring journey.

During the early months the mentors and mentees will need support from Program staff as they establish a relationship of mutual respect and trust. Weekly telephone calls or emails are always acknowledged as something mentors appreciate, especially in Community Based Programs. It is an opportunity to gain reassurance that some of the anxieties and experiences they are undergoing are a natural part of most mentoring relationships. In School Based Programs it is considerably easier to monitor the match.

As the mentors settle into the relationship, there can be less contact with Program staff, perhaps fortnightly and then monthly, though mentors will understand and appreciate that Program staff are always available should they wish to share concerns or difficult experiences with their mentees.

A form outlining the contact the mentor has had with the mentee, what they did, any concerns etc. the mentor might have and how long they met for should be completed by all mentors on a monthly basis throughout the mentoring journey. This is an excellent and highly effective way for Program staff to monitor the mentoring relationship and is also a useful evaluation tool.

Program staff can interview both the parents/caregiver every three months or as regularly as the Program staff decide is necessary to enhance the relationship. In this way all parties are involved in the mentoring relationship and it's also important for the mentor to receive feedback as to how the relationship is being perceived by the mentee and the parents/caregiver.

Again during the early months of the mentoring journey, the mentors should meet on a monthly basis for ongoing training and support which could take a variety of forms eg, a fun activity reinforcing an aspect of the training, an opportunity for mentors to voice experiences and brainstorm possible solutions or an opportunity to invite a visiting speaker or a panel of mentors and mentees to share their journeys by way of encouragement to those relatively new to mentoring. These monthly meetings are important to mentors as it avoids feelings of isolation and provides opportunities for reassurance that they are doing a great job and are valued by the Program staff.

Topics for discussion at monthly meetings, which could include an outside speaker, might include:

Another positive way of supporting the mentoring relationship is for Program staff to provide the mentoring relationship with free tickets to sports matches, cultural activities, movie tickets and other areas that will broaden the knowledge of the mentee most especially.

Both individual and group support is recommended.

You should have in place clear written procedures to be followed if child abuse or neglect occurs or any serious problem arises. Participants should also be familiar with the Program?s grievance procedures.

As someone commented:

 " ... a successful program is one that builds capacity and integrates learning continuously."
- source unknown