BAME Mentoring Scheme

Mentoring is one person sharing their knowledge, skills and experience to assist others to progress in their careers. Mentors are prepared to offer help as the need arises - within agreed bounds. Mentoring is more than ‘giving advice’, or sharing what your experience was in a particular area or situation. 

It's about motivating and empowering the other person to identify their own issues and goals, and helping them to find ways of resolving or reaching them.

There will be two Pathways on the scheme: Pathway A and Pathway B.

Pathway A: Mentoring Circles 

A mentoring circle involves a group of people learning, challenging and supporting each other whilst being led by a senior member of staff or a lead mentor.

Mentees will remain with the same circle which will be led by  the same two mentors (where possible), throughout the scheme. This will support building a relationship and trust within the group so members feel comfortable to share experiences and issues. This will also allow members to support each other throughout the duration of the scheme. 

Pathway B: 1-1 Mentoring 

Mentoring can provide individuals with role models and may be a means of providing information about career and training opportunities (internal and external).

It can widen support networks, provide motivation and can improve confidence. With developmental mentoring, a mentor will help you to develop your strengths and potential; and identify your changing needs, values, aspirations; and what's most important to you in relation to being a BAME member of staff. 

The scheme will include:

• Training for mentors on both 1-1 mentoring and facilitating mentoring circles (if applicable)
• An official launch event for a chance to network and meet other mentees and mentors on the scheme
• A meeting between mentee(s) and mentor every 4-6 weeks for an hour
• A celebratory, reflective social event towards the end of the mentoring relationship

Mentors can:

• Act an an impartial sounding board

• Create valuable space and time for you to reflect and review where you are now; where you want to get to, and how best to get there.

• Contribute viewpoints, advice, and information from their own knowledge, experience and expertise.

• Provide a confidential forum in which you can discuss any sensitive issues and devise solutions.

Mentors cannot:

• Act on your behalf or make decisions for you

• Be a therapist or counsellor

• Intervene with your line of management and/or contact your line manager without your permission 

As mentee:

• Change/achieve your goals more quickly and effectively than working alone

• Helps build a network of expertise to draw on, benefiting both yourself and others

• Build self-confidence, and with a BAME focus reduce any feelings of anxiety tackling issues within the workplace

• If in the mentoring circles, hear from your colleagues regarding their experience, with fresh perspective and insight into LSE

As mentor:

• Mentoring is very rewarding. It can benefit your own skills, development and career progression

• Support the School's 2030 Strategy, Racial Equity Framework, Athena SWAN action plan and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022

• It will be a chance to develop leadership and management skills; become a better leader and shape the leaders of tomorrow

• An opportunity to gain insight into wider organisational practices

• Opportunity to network and attend developmental workshops

• Renew focus on your own career development

Mentors should identify as Black, Asian or 'other' ethnic background. You will be a Professional Services staff, Band 5 or above. 

You should be able to commit at least 6 months to the scheme on either Pathway. 

Mentees should identify as Black, Asian or 'other' ethnic background. You will also be a Professional Services staff member. 

You should be able to commit at least 6 months to the scheme on either Pathway. 

Applications are now closed for this round. If you wish to be part of the next round, please contact the Organisational Learning Team to register your interest.

Please read our question and answer section, however, if you have further questions, please contact the Organisational Learning Team.