In 2003/04 Black and Minority Ethnic Managers in Social Services participated in a Pilot Mentoring Scheme. The scheme provided Social Services with a clear management developmental tool to support organisational change, and assist Black and Minority Ethnic Managers aspiring to secure promotion to senior manager posts.

Both Mentors and Mentees agreed that being on the scheme had been beneficial to their career progression and personal development goals. Line Managers have reported increased levels of confidence and motivation amongst staff that had participated on the scheme as Mentees.

Learning from the pilot scheme review, the scheme was further extended in January 2005 and again in January 2007 and now extends across Housing and Community Services as well as the Redbridge Primary Care Trust and the Children’s Trust. To date there have been nine successful senior management appointments.

The scheme has received national recognition from the Association of Directors for Social Services and the model has been used to develop similar programmes in the voluntary and community sector and a national regulatory body.

The midterm review summary report for the 2005/06 scheme can be found below.

Midterm Review Summary Report for 2005/06