What is Youth Mentoring?
How will the Firey Youth Mentoring Program work?
Who are the young people being mentored?
What time commitment is required?
Why does this program require a 12 month commitment?
What financial commitment is required?
What sort of activities do mentors usually do with their mentees?
Who can become a mentor?
What can I expect in the recruitment process?
What is a Working with Children Check?
Do I receive training?
How are mentors matched to mentees?
What ongoing support is provided to mentors?
While volunteering with the Firey Youth Mentoring Program, am I protected by work cover insurance?
How is my privacy protected?
Will the information I share with MacKillop staff be made available to staff at the MFB?
What is Youth Mentoring?
Mentoring provides a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement. The young person and their mentor meet on a regular basis to build a positive relationship that helps the young person realise their potential. The evidence shows that youth mentoring positively impacts on the lives of both young people and their mentors.
Coaching and tutoring are not mentoring. Mentoring focuses on the relationship while coaching and tutoring focus on skills, performance and targets. BACK TO TOP
How will the Firey Youth Mentoring Program work?
The Firey Youth Mentoring Program (FYMP) is a one-to-one community based mentoring program. With community based mentoring the mentor engages the mentee in different social, cultural and recreational experiences often within their local community but also in the broader community. The FYMP will have a vocational element in that the young people involved will have the opportunity to learn about fire fighting as a career. BACK TO TOP
Who are the young people being mentored?
The young people participating in the program will be between the ages of 16 and 30 and will be from an Aboriginal or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background. These groups are under represented in the MFB. Research indicates that the majority of people who become firefighters have known someone who is or has been a firefighter. The lack of firefighters within under represented groups means that few associated role models are available to these young people.
Young people could be referred to the program through schools, community organisations, the police, family and friends. They may face issues such as cultural identity issues, post traumatic stress, racism, discrimination, limited social skills, low self esteem, limited parental support etc. and would benefit greatly by developing a significant relationship with an adult who can offer support, advice and assistance.
Youth Mentoring is an effective way of providing young people with a supportive and enriching experience.
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What time commitment is required?
Mentors commit to spending 1-2 hours a week with a young person for 12 months. It is up to the young person and the mentor to decide on times that suit them both. There may be occasions where you spend more time doing an activity (half to a whole day) and that is ok.
There may also be times you are unable to see your mentee and we understand that vacations and other obligations are part of life. It is important however to be consistent in your commitment to your mentee and so we ask that you check in with them via phone where possible when this occurs and make sure they understand your reasons why. BACK TO TOP
Why does this program require a 12 month commitment?
Based on experience and research on mentoring, it is believed that it takes a significant amount of time to develop a really strong relationship with a young person and make a significant difference in their life. BACK TO TOP
What financial commitment is required?
The Firey Youth Mentoring Program will have funds available to reimburse mentors for activity costs but this will be limited. Petrol reimbursements are not available through this program. Mentors are not expected to spend money on their mentees. The mentees are also made aware of this. Mentors are encouraged to seek out activities that are free of charge wherever possible. Gift giving is discouraged as the most valuable thing you can give to a young person is your time. BACK TO TOP
What sort of activities do mentors usually do with their mentees?
Activities vary depending on your interests and the interests of the young person but include things such as going to the movies, watching or playing sport, visiting workplaces, attending cultural events and celebrations, catching up over coffee, fishing, hiking, painting etc.
High risk activities such as skiing, abseiling, sky diving, horses riding etc. require written permission from the Program Coordinator.BACK TO TOP
Who can become a mentor?
Any caring adult can become a mentor no matter their life experiences. Key attributes of a mentor include good communication and listening skills, a positive outlook, an appreciation of diversity in the community, patience, flexibility, respect for differences in values and a range of experiences and interests to share with a young person. BACK TO TOP
What can I expect in the recruitment process?
This is designed to protect the safety of the young people involved. To become an accredited mentor with the Firey Youth Mentoring Program you will need to:
- complete a written application form
- participate in an interview which explores a range of areas including personal motivation, family background, family dynamics, family lifestyle, personal relationships, coping strategies, understanding of youth issues etc.
- provide three character references
- permit a national police check to be carried out
- pass a Working with Children Check
- be accredited by a panel
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What is a Working with Children Check?
In 2006, the Victorian Government introduced a new checking system to help protect children under 18 years of age from physical or sexual harm. The WWC Check helps to keep children safe by preventing those who pose a risk to their safety, from working with them, in either paid or volunteer work. The outcome of your WWC Check will depend on the results of a national police records check and a review of any findings from specified disciplinary bodies. Only a limited range of offences and disciplinary findings are taken into account. Ongoing checking of a your criminal record will occur while your WWC Check is valid. Applicants who pass the WWC Check receive an Assessment Notice and a WWC Check card.
If you already possess a WWC card you will not need to apply for a new one but will be required to notify the department that you are volunteering with MacKillop Family Services. Forms for this process will be provided.
For more information about the Working with Children Check visit:
http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren
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Do I receive training?
Yes, MacKillop Family services will provide an initial 8 hours of training for mentors. Topics covered will include:
- roles and responsibilities of mentors
- boundaries and the mentoring relationship
- confidentiality
- building relationships and trust
- aims and objectives of program
- communication & active listening
- adolescence & issues facing young people
- values & Ethics
- defining youth mentoring
- conflict resolution & crisis management
- cultural awareness
The training will be split up over 2 or more sessions. Dates and times will be set taking into account the availability of participants. The training is compulsory in order to be accredited as a mentor. Ongoing training will also be offered on a needs basis. BACK TO TOP
How are mentors matched to mentees?
There are some key considerations made when matching a young person with a mentor. These include:
- age and gender
- common interests
- availability
- personality
- proximity of mentees home address to mentors home/work address
- cultural considerations
The Program Coordinator will initially discuss a potential match with the mentor before arranging a meeting where the mentor and young person will have the opportunity to talk and learn a little more about each other. If they both agree to continue the relationship they will then decide themselves a time to meet in the following weeks. After a few weeks the Program Coordinator will review the match and assist in developing some goals.
The process from applying to being matched can take some months. BACK TO TOP
What ongoing support is provided to mentors?
The Program Coordinator will provide opportunities for regular scheduled feedback, debriefing, troubleshooting and support for both mentors and mentees. Once matched, the Coordinator will make regular contact and monitor the relationship to ensure it is supported in every possible way through receiving feedback from the young person, parents/teachers, support workers and the mentor. Further training will be offered to mentors to assist them in supporting the young person if the need for extra knowledge around a particular issue is identified.
The Program Coordinator will also arrange group activities and opportunities for mentors to meet, share experiences and support each other.
There are also state and national bodies for youth mentoring research, tools and resources. To find out more about these networks visit http://youthmentoring.org.au/mentors.php or http://www.youthmentoringvic.org.au
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While volunteering with the Firey Youth Mentoring Program, am I protected by work cover insurance?
Yes, although the mentoring role is on a volunteer basis, it is an initiative of the MFB and so while performing volunteer duties or travelling to and from these you will be covered by the same insurance that protects you in your role as a firefighter.
Young people participating in the program will be covered under the MacKillop Family Services insurance policy. BACK TO TOP
How is my privacy protected?
Mentors are not to disclose their home address to the young person. The young person is aware that they are not to visit the workplace of their mentor unless arranged prior with their mentor. BACK TO TOP
Will the information I share with MacKillop staff be made available to staff at the MFB?
All information provided by mentors to MacKillop in the operation of the program will be held in confidence by MacKillop and not be made available to the MFB, unless there is a legal or duty of care requirement to notify MFB of part of the information provided. BACK TO TOP
The whole community benefits from youth mentoring. It creates positive links between generations and people who otherwise may not meet.
To apply to become a mentor click here
*Applications close Monday the 23rd of November