Mentoring is a powerful personal development and empowerment tool. It is an effective way of helping people to progress in their careers and is becoming increasing popular as its potential is realised. It is a partnership between two people (mentor and mentee) normally working in a similar field or sharing similar experiences. It is a helpful relationship based upon mutual trust and respect.
Here on the Devon Learning Network we use the terms 'Developmental Alliance' and 'Resource' as they are neutral to all the agencies involved.
A Developmental Alliance is an arrangement between two people that promotes learning. The relationship is based on coaching methods and may employ coaching skills. It involves developing a relationship between equals in which one of those involved is enabled to increase awareness, identify alternatives and initiate action to develop themselves. *
Developmental alliances tend to be short to long term arrangements lasting two or more sessions or meetings.
* definition supplied by Julie Hay in her book Developmental Alliances
A resource is a person who makes themselves available to others in the network to provide: information, the benefit of their experience, share a skill they have, as a shadow or other short term activity. A resource offers a short term arrangement, typically a single session or meeting.
Registered site users have the ability to add biography information to their profile and make themselves available as a Developmental Alliance or Resource in their profile preferences. This information can be altered at any time and users can also upload a profile picture to accompany their profile. Users can also be added to contact lists and messaged directly through the site.
Start browsing or searching the site for a suitable alliance or resource by using the forms in the top left of this page.
