Supporting Mentors Scheme for Mid to Late Career GPs

BLMK Supporting Mentors Scheme for Mid-Late Career GPs

Are you a mid-late career GP looking for a new opportunity to expand your career portfolio?
Do you want to take up an additional paid session a week to mentor early career GPs?
Would you like to gain a professional accredited ILM5 qualification in coaching & mentoring?

The GP Mentor Development Scheme could be opportunity for you!

Background:

The Supporting Mentors Scheme is a national initiative launched by NHS England in 2020 with the two main aims:

to offer experienced GPs a portfolio working opportunity and professional accredited qualification
to develop and train experienced GPs to offer mentoring to newly qualified GPs on the New to Practice Fellowship Programme as well as other groups of GPs

The BLMK Mid-Late Career GP Supporting Mentors Scheme has been developed based on this national guidance and has been tailored and will be delivered with local partners to best meet the needs of GPs in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. It is a core part of the BLMK Mid-Late Career GP Retention and Development Strategy.

Click here for Supporting Mentors Scheme guidance

Click here for New to Practice Fellowship Programme guidance

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the GP Supporting Mentors Scheme, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they:

Hold full registration and a licence to practice with GMC
Meet the requirements for remaining in the NHS England GP Performers List
Not to be subject to interim suspension under section 41A of the Medical Act
Minimum experience of 5 years post CCT but ideally 8-10 years post CCT
Currently working a minimum of three clinical sessions per week and intend to conduct one additional session of mentoring per week
If near to retirement, could be considered as part of a ‘step-down’ opportunity
Ability to commit to study and complete ILM5 Certificate
Minimum commitment of 12 months delivery of mentoring support
On-going commitment to working in BLMK

Overview of role

Mentoring involves offering direction, sharing support, skills, knowledge and experience to help mentee with growth and career development.
Mentors will be expected to complete an industry recognised ILM5 qualification (page 3 for further details)
Will mentor New to Practice/Newly Qualified and First5 GPs with the aim of supporting GPs to become confident independent practitioners and engaged and motivated for a future career in General Practice.
Mentors will be matched with Mentees by the Beds and Herts LMC.
Mentors will initially be contracted for 12 months for 35 sessions with opportunity for extension. Mentors will be reimbursed through a monthly payment that will be paid via the employing practice.
Mentors are expected to utilise their mentoring sessions to support between 4-6 mentees at any time (not per session) and is inclusive of session preparation, post session administration, evaluation, travel time and expenses (if sessions are face to face).
Mentors will complete an initial meet with the mentee to establish the relationship and length of mentoring support.
Length of mentoring relationship can be flexible depending on the needs of the mentee but could include: initial 1.5 hour introduction meeting, followed by 5x 1 hour sessions over a 3-6 month period. Mentees can be offered additional sessions with agreement from the LMC.

Overview of benefits

Mentors will play an influential role in supporting Early Career GPs to develop their potential and skills for the future.
Mentors will be able to share their knowledge and experience so that their expertise is shared and sustained in BLMK.
Mentors will receive £289 a session (inclusive of on[1]costs) up to a maximum £10,115 per year for 35 sessions
Mentors will be offered a funded place Coaching and Mentoring training worth £2,000
Mentors will gain key interpersonal knowledge and skills that they can apply in a variety of settings.
Mentors will gain an industry recognised ILM5 qualification that can be used to develop a career portfolio beyond the expected mentoring support for Early Career GPs and could earn up to £87 per session privately.
Mentors will be part of the BLMK Mentoring and Coaching Faculty and be offered on-going networking, learning and support opportunities.

Overview of training

Mentors will complete a one-year coaching and mentoring training programme accredited to ILM 5 delivered by The Madison Group
Mentors will start training with a 6 week ‘Introduction to Coaching and Mentoring skills.’ Each session will be 2.5 hours and delivered virtually. The next cohort will run from 24^th January to the 28^th February 2023
Mentors will move on to the remaining modules in March 2023
Mentors will have access to a range of learning opportunities including taught modules, offline support e.g. videos and reading materials, one to one and peer supervision, practice with real clients, reflective journal writing and advice to set up your own coaching business. Below is an overview of the Level 5 Certificate.

Level 5 Certificate
Level of qualification	Post Graduate Certificate
Guided Learning Hours	47 hours
Logged Coaching Hours	18 hours
Requirement	3 Mandatory units
Assessment	1 – Workplace assignment 2 – Coaching diary
Timescale	Complete in 1 year

Mentors will be invited to have conversations with The Madison Group prior to commencing the course.

Overview of support

Beds and Herts have successfully delivered the mentoring support programme for BLMK since it’s development for GPs in 2019.
The LMC will take the lead on matching Mentors with Mentees and monitoring and supporting the success of mentoring relationships.
Mentors will receive on-going support from Beds and Herts LMC for the duration of their involvement with the BLMK Supporting Mentors Scheme.
Mentors will receive individual support sessions throughout the ILM5 training and on-going support post training qualification.
Mentors will have access to networking opportunities and peer support for mentors through activities developed and managed by the LMC.
Mentors will have access to on-going training and development sessions developed and delivered by the LMC.
Mentors will work closely with the LMC to monitor and evaluate the impact of the programme. Mentors will be required to update the LMC monthly on how mentoring hours have been utilised.
Mentors may be asked to support with activities to attract and recruit mentors and mentees. Any support will be part of their paid sessions. BLMK Supporting Mentors Scheme for Mid-Late Career GPs

Application & interview process

Prospective mentors should complete the BLMK Supporting Mentors Scheme application form. The form can be found here
As this is a paid role, mentors will be expected to meet the essential criteria which will be reviewed as part of the application and interview process. To review the role description please click here: BLMK GP Mentor Role Description
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual interview with BLMK Training Hub and Beds and Herts LMC.
Successful mentors will be asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding as part of the agreement of roles and responsibilities between BLMK Training Hub, LMC, the mentor and their employing practice.
Key dates of the process are listed below:

Applications close: Friday 25th November 2022

Interviews: Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th December 2022

Find out more

If you would like to ask a question or have an informal discussion about the BLMK Supporting Mentors Scheme please email: Ccs.blmk.traininghub@nhs.net