MENTOR QUALIFICATION - IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.

You may have noticed the term Mentor has been entering various Society publications. As the Education and Training Programme has been developing there has been a need to refine and redefine some roles.

The Society has many probationary Assistant Teachers and T/As, all of whom need mentoring. Lifesaving has had 'Advisers' for many years, who are able to support probationers. Lifeguarding has relied heavily on NT/A's or experienced T/A's to fulfil this role. A decision has been proposed by the National Education Committee and agreed by Management Board to introduce the role of "Mentor" across all disciplines.

In order to become a Mentor, a candidate must have been an active T/A, providing courses and conducting assessments, for at least 2 years.

He or she would then attend a Mentor course following which, successful candidates are appointed to Mentor status in the disciplines in which they are a TA. So, a Lifesaving and Pool T/A would become a Mentor in both Lifesaving and Pool Lifeguarding.

Within the revision of the NT/A programme, it is proposed that in future a pre-requisite will be that a T/A must have been an active Mentor for at least 2 years.

At the time of writing there have been four Mentors' courses run. A programme of courses is being organised by the National Education Committee. Anyone interested needs to send their name and contact details, with a brief CV to River House. They will be put on the waiting list and invited to attend courses as appropriate.

Current Advisers can attend courses organised by the Society, or they can make their own arrangements to attend the 3-hour sportscoach UK course "A Guide to Mentoring Sports Coaches". A list of courses is available on www.sportscoachUK.org or www.sportscotland.org.uk. A copy of the Attendance Certificate needs to be sent to River House and their record will be updated.