Elements and Performance Criteria

This unit applies to all community services areas. The following explanations identify how this unit may be applied in different workplaces, sector and circumstances.

Mentors and mentorees may work within the same or different organisations.
The mentoring process may apply to any area of organisational or professional endeavour.
Expectation and goals for mentoring may include:
Acquisition of specific skills
Progress with overall development
Individual professional and personal development

Changes in the mentoring relationship may include:
Inability of one party to continue participation
Identification of a need for assistance from others with different skills
Achievement of goals and decision to conclude the relationship
Changes in the dynamic of the relationship

Essential knowledge and skills to be assessed

The following knowledge and skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

An understanding of mentoring, its role and potential benefits
Communication skills in relation to listening supportively, questioning, providing feedback constructively, challenging limitations and non-verbal communication
Significant knowledge and experience of the area of practice in which the mentoree operates

Linkages to other units
This unit must be assessed alone.

Critical aspects of assessment

Evidence of the following is critical:

Understanding the role and benefits of mentoring
Ability to use significant workplace knowledge and experience to assist another individual to achieve his or her agreed goals
Application of effective communication styles.

Context of assessment and resource implications

Assessment must ensure:

Activities conducted over a period of time in which the candidate provides mentoring support for a less experienced colleague.

Assessment methods
Assessment methods must be chosen to ensure that mentoring skills can be practically demonstrated. Methods must include assessment of knowledge as well as assessment of practical skills.

The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

Evaluation of reports detailing mentoring activities undertaken by the candidate (taking account of confidentiality issues)
Interview with the mentoree to evaluate the mentor's skills
Oral or written questions to assess knowledge of the key concepts of mentoring
Review of portfolio's of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate