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A Practical Guide to Mentoring
By David Kay and Roger Hinds

As David Kay and Roger Hinds explain in their guide, “coaching and mentoring are invaluable tools in staff development”. Mentoring is increasingly used in a wide variety of organisations, and the benefits are clear. Staff who feel they are reaching their full potential will be more fulfilled and, therefore, more motivated.

Mentoring can assist staff
at all levels, such as new members of the team, those undergoing training and even senior members of staff. As Kay and Hinds assert, joining a new organisation or beginning a new role can be challenging, and mentoring “can be of invaluable help” in supporting staff during these times. New members of staff find their feet more quickly, trainees are supported, and senior members of staff can also benefit from mentoring during periods of change or development within the organisation. Kay and Hinds give a firm insight into how and why mentoring is being so widely used within businesses.

This guide is a must-have for anyone considering becoming a mentor, or even those contemplating using mentoring within their business. The book is full of practical, useful information on the realities, the benefits, the pitfalls and the requirements of mentoring. It provides a complete guide to each step of the process, from the qualities needed to be a good mentor, to preparing yourself for the role, planning the first meeting and establishing a relationship with the mentee. The book even covers the best way to end the mentoring relationship.

The information, acquired
through the authors’ vast practical experience and knowledge of mentoring, is usefully laid out in bite-sized sections, including helpful bulleted summaries at the end of each chapter. The simple and accessible layout makes this book an ideal reference guide that can be used during the entire mentoring process. The authors provide a taste of real-life mentoring with useful scenarios and possible ways to approach them. These cover a broad spectrum, including mentoring members of senior management, members of staff with little ambition, and newly-joined members of the team.

The book provides a flavour of each aspect of mentoring, teaching you how to understand people and the external factors that may affect them, and how to make them feel at ease. The authors discuss the responsibilities that come with the role, and the importance of offering support without simply imposing your own views. In this incredibly detailed book, a plethora of additional information is provided, such as the formal qualifications that can be achieved in mentoring, and an additional section on coaching and its distinctions.

As the authors say, mentoring is
suitable for all organisations. A variety of scenarios and types of mentees are covered within the book, from qualified to unqualified, low level to management level. The book explains that the benefits of mentoring are boundless. A team that feels fulfilled and supported will be happier and more committed to your business, improving staff retention and motivation. New members of staff will slot more easily into their roles, and staff potential can be unlocked, helping them to become vital members of the team.

While not aimed specifically at the
veterinary industry, the tips and advice within this book can be applied to all industries, making this an invaluable guide for anyone interested in mentoring.

Author: David Kay & Roger Hinds
Publisher: How To Books
Price: £8.99

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New RCVS Academy courses to remove barriers in vet care

News Story 1
 The RCVS Academy has launched two courses to its new client support series, as it seeks to improve accessibility in veterinary settings.

The courses will help professionals to support assistance dog partnerships and clients with hearing loss.

The Hearing loss and Assistance dogs courses saw RCVS project lead Catherine Hemingway collaborate with the British Deaf Association and Assistance Dogs UK. Vets will gain practical guidance on supporting clients with additional needs.

Each course takes an hour to complete, and can be accessed by RCVS registrants for free. 

Click here for more...
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APHA launches free virtual work experience programme

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), in collaboration with Springpod, has launched a free virtual work experience programme, giving young people across the UK the chance to explore careers dedicated to protecting animal and plant health.

The on-demand programme offers a unique insight into career opportunities within APHA, showcasing how students can contribute to tackling some of the UK's most critical biosecurity and environmental challenges.

Designed for students aged 13 and over, the course includes more than 10 hours of engaging content featuring real-life industry insights, scenario-based challenges, and practical guidance on applying for jobs. To register for the course, visit the APHA website.