Mentor eligibility and screening

Transforming a young person's life

Mentoring relationships change young people’s lives. With training and professional support, a Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer forms a strong positive relationship with a young person that expresses care, shares power, and expands possibilities. Big Brothers Big Sisters staff stay involved throughout and provide ongoing support and accountability to ensure the mentoring match is as safe and strong as it can be.

 

Learn and grow with a young person

Young people and volunteers alike benefit from these professionally supported relationships. When you’re there for a young person as they grow, you learn just as much as they do. Mentoring is a two-way development partnership.


Keeping children safe

As an organisation with over 100 years of experience, we have developed comprehensive checks to keep our children safe through screening volunteers. This includes the following

  • Identity Check
  • Police Background check
  • Referee checks
  • Other checks (including online checks) as deemed appropriate by staff.

Our staff have been trained in interviewing and child safety to ensure we protect the safety of the young people in our programme.

 

Is mentoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters the perfect fit for you?

How do I know if I am suitable and eligible to volunteer mentor a young person?

  • We are looking for mentors who can see the potential in young people and will stick at the task even when it is challenging.

  • Volunteers meet with their young person every week for one year for 1-2 hours, either at school or in the community. Do you have the time?

  • Volunteers must be aged 18 years and over and live within our branch areas
  • All applicants must be willing to complete all aspects of the screening process, including all background checks.

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters has well established policies around mentoring practice, such as mentors can spend no more than 3-4 hours a week with a young person. If you are looking at spending more time with a young person, you should consider something more than mentoring.

  • Are you happy to commit to being regularly accountable within your mentoring? We provide close supervision to the volunteers, young people and their caregivers by checking in with them regularly.
VOLUNTEER TODAY »

Eight steps to becoming a mentor

LEARN MORE

We want to ensure you have all the information possible prior to you applying to become a volunteer, so you will need to attend an information session. Click here to contact your local branch to find our more about when the next information session is available. CONTACT US

APPLY

Once you have attended an information session, you can complete the mentor application form online or return it by post or email to the Big Brothers Big Sisters office in your local area. 

BACKGROUND CHECK

Child safety is our priority, so we make identity checks and criminal history checks to be sure that you are a good fit for our programme. We have a partnership with NZ Police and they give us their full support. We will conduct other background checks as appropriate.

REFEREES

You need to provide us with the names of three people who we can talk to about your ability to be a mentor. 

INTERVIEW

You will be required to attend an in-depth in person interview with our staff to assess your suitability. 

TRAINING AND ORIENTATION

All volunteers must attend several hours of training to orientate them to the programme and the expectations and goals of your involvement. 

ACCEPTANCE

Staff gather information throughout all the previous steps to make a decision as to whether you will be accepted as a volunteer mentor. There are multiple reasons applicants may be declined, as we are committed to finding the best mentors for young people. 

MATCHING

Once accepted, we will review the young people in your area who need a Big Brother or Big Sister and find the best match for you.

More Information on Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor Training


Before being accepted as a Mentor, volunteers are required to complete extensive training covering essential topics such as:

·       What makes mentoring effective

·       Child safety and child protection

·       Supervision – how you will make yourself accountable

·       Mentor safety

·       Dealing with disclosures

·       Risk management

·       The Matching process – building a successful relationship

·       Building resilience in a young person
·       Maintaining healthy boundaries

IGNITING YOUTH POTENTIAL

Being YOU is the ONLY skill you need

BECOME A MENTOR

volunteer today »
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