About the edpsy mentoring directory

The aims of the mentoring directory

To provide a directory of volunteer EP mentors that would-be mentees can connect with directly

Background to establishing the mentoring directory

Interest in educational psychology is high (and increasing) and it can be difficult for EPs at all stages of their careers to know how to access supportive mentoring.

Recent debates within the profession have explicitly addressed the lack of diversity within the workforce and lack of access to professional support and capital, for some people, is an issue.

The EPs who have worked on this directory have identified a strong desire within the profession to provide access to mentoring, particularly for people who come from an under-represented and/or marginalised group. Anecdotal reports suggest that demand for mentoring is high and beyond what individuals can manage, particularly as there are few free, accessible and clear ways for people to identify potential mentors.

As a result, we have established a mentoring directory.

The directory will be a way to increase equity of access to mentoring in the profession

The mentoring directory is for aspiring, trainee and qualified EPs wanting support for the next step in their career development, for example: publishing journal articles, developing specialisms, progressing into leadership positions, or making an adjustment in professional role.

We hope the directory will create a route for EPs or TEPs who may not have access or know how to seek mentoring support through existing mechanisms.

We have pulled together a range of resources that mentors and mentees may find useful in structuring any mentoring relationship.

Who can access mentoring through the directory during the pilot

The directory will list mentors who are happy to provide mentoring to:

Aspiring EPs
Trainee EPs
Qualified EPs

There is an explicit focus on supporting those who identify as coming from an under-represented and/or marginalised group

We are not imposing any form of ‘checking’ or ‘validation’ process about mentees identifying as coming from or belonging to an under-represented and/or marginalised group within the profession.

A note about mentoring aspiring EPs

Mentors who are tutors on training courses will be able to offer only a one-off conversation with aspiring TEPs; but will not look at applications. This will ensure the process is focused on mentoring rather than coaching and could include signposting mentees and supporting them in other ways with regards to their aspirations.

Why the directory targets those from under-represented and/or marginalised groups

People from under-represented and/or marginalised groups may not have ready access to the mentoring support they seek for professional development
We want to support positive action within the profession to improve diversity and inclusion
To cultivate relationships and networks with a broader range of EPs
Differences in local and regional contexts mean that EPs may not have ready access to the mentoring support that they seek for professional development
To reduce barriers to cross-service collaboration
Support mechanism for EPs, at all levels of experience, to explore or take the next step in their career development
To enable trainee EPs to make contact with a broader network of qualified EPs
Offer an additional, supportive, nurturing resource for the development of specialist interests, journal publication, and entry into the profession
The mentoring programme will run alongside and not replace established university/ placement-based support.

A number of people have been instrumental to establishing the directory and getting it to this pilot stage. Many thanks go to; Anita Soni, Anjam Sultana, Cherelle McDonald, Sasha-Louise King, Siya Mngaza and Dan O’Hare.