Hammersmith & Fulham Diabetes Mentor Role Description

Main Aim: To provide 1:1 support to people living with diabetes (mentees) to help them develop effective techniques and strategies to improve their quality of life and to increase their confidence to problem solve any day-to-day difficulties in coping with diabetes.

Role description:

1. To provide mentoring to people living with diabetes using methods and skills developed through training. The number of sessions can be agreed between mentor and mentee but might be on average 6 sessions with at least two people over a 12 months period.

2. Mentors will not give any clinical advice with regard to diabetes management but will signpost to appropriate health professionals (training will be given). Following training understanding of a healthy lifestyle suitable for people with diabetes will be expected together with knowledge to help support self-care.

3. To complete evaluation/monitoring forms as provided by the Project Co-ordinator.

4. To attend regular group supervision meetings to support good practice, (up to six per year) and to keep in regular contact with Project Co-ordinator.

5. To attend monthly individual supervision meetings with the diabetes lead, if based at a GP practice, or with their manager, if based with a community group.

6. To contact the Project Co-ordinator if any issues or difficulties arise. 7. Able to commit to this work for at least two years.

Also potential mentors will be supported in developing their competence for the role by attending the following training:

Attendance on a 6 week X-pert Type 2 Education Course (2.5 hours per week) and at a Type 1 briefing

A four day accredited Community Mentor course 2 half day induction course Ongoing training from time to time

Person Specification:

1. Preferably living with diabetes, Type 1 or Type 2, or a carer of someone with diabetes or very interested in diabetes.

2. Demonstrates a good awareness of the challenges of living with diabetes, e.g. the emotional and social demands of living with diabetes.

3. Interested in supporting people with diabetes so they have the confidence to develop ways of coping with the demands of living with their condition.

4. Able to undertake appropriate learning and course work and to develop skills appropriate for the role of mentor.

5. Effective communication skills to include active listening. Cont.

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6. Demonstrates empathy and warmth.7. Able to keep within a mentor’s prescribed role.8. Able to work in partnership with a range of mentees. 9. Able to provide non-directive support.10.Enthusiastic, able to engage and motivate people.11.Happy to work with mentees in a 1:1 situation or in small groups.12.The ability to provide mentoring in a mother tongue eg Somali, Arabic

or Polish, as well as English, is welcomed but not essential.13.Aware of the limits of their knowledge about diabetes and able to

signpost someone to their healthcare practitioner or to the Diabetes UK careline if they have questions they cannot answer, clinical questions or questions about medication.

14.Able to reflect on own practice and accept feed-back to improve skills.15.Able to display the following personal qualities: trustworthy,

professional, reliable, confidential, caring and efficient.

Application Process:

We hope you are interested in this rewarding role. To find out more contact Judith Ralphs jralphs@westminster.gov.ukPhone 020 7641 4663

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