Apply to the social service centre at your place of permanent residence for a consultation
Attend the nearest social service centre to obtain information on mentorship and the requirements set for candidates.
You can also arrange an initial consultation by phone. Find a network of social service centres in your region.
Collect the documents required to apply to become a mentor
Candidate’s checklist:
Nota bene: a statement can be generated in the DIIA mobile application.
Contact the social service centre at your place of permanent residence to submit documents
Submit the above documents to the social service centre at the place of your permanent residence.
When documents are accepted, the social service centre will enquire about your motivations for mentorship, your views on children’s upbringing and development, provide information about mentorship procedures and conditions, and the responsibilities and rights of being a mentor.
This conversation can be emotionally challenging, but its purpose is to assess the motivations of candidates and help to manage expectations.
The social service centre will consider the application for referral to the regional centre for training within ten business days of receipt of the documents.
Complete the training course to obtain approval to be a mentor
All accepted mentorship candidates will participate in a course on the social adaptation of children and how to prepare children for living independently.
Prospective mentors will learn about displacement and loss in children’s lives, the unique circumstances of children who need mentorship, the mentor’s role in preparing children for independent living, the formation of relationships between the mentor and the child, and other important information that will enable them to become effective mentors, supporting the best interests of the children they support.
Following the successful completion of the training course, the regional centre will approve the candidate's suitability for mentoring a child.
Meet and connect with a child as a mentor
The first meeting between a mentor and a child is organised by the head of the facility and the local social service centre.
Representatives of the institutional facility will share information about the child with the mentor, including: their life story, health and development, behaviour, abilities, and character, and advise on the best way to communicate to build rapport. They will also help the mentor and the child to start communicating.
If the child agrees to mentorship after the meeting, contact between the mentor and the child has been established successfully.
Conclude the mentorship agreement
After contact with the child is successfully established, the facility’s local social service centre will provide a mentorship agreement between the mentor and the administration of the institutional facility where the child lives, within three business days.
The agreement shall be a legal basis for mentorship relations, and set out the rights and responsibilities of the mentor and the institution. The child’s consent is necessary to conclude the agreement, and will be given as per the child’s age and evolving capacities.
Provide mentorship in the best interests of the child
Your principal task as a mentor is to act in the best interests of the child only, and to facilitate their development, social adaptation, and preparation for living on their own. Guide the child by offering them support, knowledge, and attention.
Mentorship is carried out by a legally capable person for one child in a personalised manner. You must meet with the child regularly over a long period of time, preferably at the same time. This will provide the child with predictability, stability and an understanding of how long they can rely upon the connection, and enable them to develop expectations. It will also give them a solid foundation for building trust in you and other people.
You can assist the child in the following areas:
1. Studies and comprehensive development
You can help a child do homework in general, or in specific disciplines (for instance, foreign languages, computer science, algebra, geometry, etc.). Homework help can improve their academic knowledge and encourage them to study further.
You can organise different hobby groups and classes for the child. This can be anything, from art and music to sports and R&D. This support will enable the child to handle academic tasks better, discover new interests and talents, find out more about themselves, and emotionally relax.
2. Socialisation (skills development for living independently)
As a mentor, you can play an extremely important role in the child’s life. Your support can help the child gain more self-confidence and open up to new experiences, and create interesting and meaningful leisure opportunities. You can become a key figure in helping the child develop their communication skills, teaching the child how to develop relationships with different people, manage their emotions effectively, communicate with strangers with ease, and resolve conflicts successfully.
You will help the child to be more independent and responsible for their actions, and teach them to identify their career interests and motivation to reach their goal. You will expose them to the world of household skills, from personal hygiene to cooking, and will introduce important aspects of family life, such as planning a family budget and running a household. You will also play a key role in the formation of adequate gender norms, support of the idea of equality in relationships, enhancing the child’s awareness of their rights, and helping them to avoid potential risks.
3. Career guidance
If you mentor a teenager, you will play a key role in providing career guidance. You can help shape their career plans and share relevant available opportunities based on their interests. You can leverage your professional networks and arrange meetings with professionals from different sectors, helping the child to get their first job or obtain on-the-job training.
You can also introduce them to various colleges, technical schools or universities, exposing them to opportunities to further their education.
Moreover, you can teach them to write a CV and find a job. This will encourage them to have a responsible attitude towards their career and a realistic perspective on life in our society. Your experience and guidance is invaluable in shaping their professional future.
Remember that your duty as a mentor is not only an important responsibility but also an incredible opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the life of a young person who needs your support and guidance. Your support can be a key factor in helping them become a happy, successful, confident person.
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