As part of its ‘Good to Great Mission’ the CSP Network has launched the third cohort of the innovative Peer Mentoring programme.
Peer mentoring aims to help individuals to manage their own learning in order to maximise their potential and develop their skills. The programme consists of matching experienced CSP senior managers, board members and CSP associates with CSP staff in order to support their personal development journey and ultimately to improve the performance of their CSP and the Network as a whole.
100 mentees have benefited from the programme since its inception in 2014 (3 separate cohorts) and the response has been very positive. Evaluation shows that 96% of mentees and 100% of line managers have noticed an improvement in their performance as a result of applying the learning from the mentoring programme.
James Craggs, a mentee on the programme and Senior Programme Partner at Get Berkshire Active remarked,
“After being recruited into my current role with line management responsibilities in late 2014, I felt I needed more help and support in order to carry out my role to a high standard. After an initial meeting it was clear that my mentor would be able to listen and provide me with the right support, guidance and knowledge either which she had, or through her contacts. She was there to provide a framework to help me develop my softer skills which are so crucial for a role with line management responsibilities. In addition to helping me develop my line management skills, she also provided expert advice on others areas where I needed guidance including conflict management and ensuring I get favorable outcomes from meetings. I feel that the mentoring experience has been very beneficial to me. One way I judge this is that I have an expanded role here at GBA with extra line management responsibility. I previously managed one colleague and now I manage three. I can’t put this entirely down to the CSPN mentoring programme but I feel it has been one of the key factors”.
One of the line managers who had a member of staff on the programme commented:
“The biggest impact has been on the level of confidence - particularly when working in a more complex and potentially difficult environment. I have noticed an increased level of confidence with Board members and within senior management team meetings which has resulted in more positive and well thought through ideas coming forward.”
Mentors undergo an annual training programme, are accredited to give Facet 5 personality profile feedback and are supported via a Master Mentor.
Adrian Ledbury (Head of Operations for the CSP Network and project lead) commented:
“The evidence shows that this is one of our most valuable improvement programmes; providing a confidential and supportive environment for individuals to share their challenges and gain feedback from an experienced professional. It also has the added benefit of developing the mentoring skills of senior managers, benefiting the wider CSP Team and Partnership, and facilitating collaboration from CSPs across the country. It demonstrates that individuals and CSPs are committed to self-development and driving high performance.”
NOTES TO EDITOR:
Please direct all media enquiries to ncouzens@cspnetwork.org
About Peer Mentoring
- The Peer Mentoring Programme was introduced in 2014 recognizing the fact there was a wealth of skills and experience in the Network that could be used to support CSP staff requiring development support, as part of the Network’s desire to constantly drive up standards (Good to Great).
- Mentees apply to join the programme outlining their development needs and are then matched (if successful) to a mentor. The mentor and mentee normally work together over a 6-month period.
- The programme is supported by Sport England. Mentors give their time for free, the programme is free for mentees and is open to colleagues at all levels.
- Typical Focus: When new to a leadership role; linked to significant organisational change; to develop specific technical or managerial skills; strengthening key relationships; managing difficult situations; building personal impact and influence; developing leadership qualities for effective partnership working.
- Evaluation is carried out by the CSP Network Performance Insight Manager and includes surveys and telephone interviews with mentees, line managers of mentees and master mentors.
- Master Mentors are qualified and experienced mentors providing support, guidance and quality control to a group of mentors.
The ‘Good to Great Menu of Improvement Support’ includes a number of improvement packages to support CSPs to become and retain a high performing status. Packages include:
- A performance benchmarking service
- Annual partner satisfaction, staff satisfaction and financial performance surveys including analysis and improvement action
- A Leadership Programme for Senior Managers
- A Board Support programme
- A suite of mentoring packages aimed at individuals and teams
- An organisational self-assessment tool and an individual Training Needs Analysis Tool
- An Annual Convention and training programme
- An internal online Hub for sharing information including various themed groups
- Bespoke support packages based on need
About the CSP Network
The CSP Network is a nationwide network of 45 County Sports Partnerships employing circa 670 staff with a total turnover of £57 million. Our mission is ‘To improve lives by growing grassroots sport and physical activity’. By 2020, our headline goals are:
- To get 500,000 more adults participating regularly in sport.
- To reduce the number of adults that are inactive by 250,000.
- To get 1 million young people more active.
We do this via:
- National Reach - Local Impact: Getting the nation active by delivering or commissioning high impact customer-led solutions.
- Clubs, Coaches & Volunteers: Developing a high quality, diverse workforce and supporting them to deliver inspiring activities that are accessible to all.
- Local Leadership: Co-ordinating the effective delivery of local sport and physical activity by brokering relationships and influencing stakeholders.
- Insight and Influence: Understanding the needs of the local area to influence and guide decisions to maximise investment into sport and physical activity.
- Awareness and Advocacy: Raising the profile of sport and physical activity through innovative local and national promotional campaigns.
Our Performance:
- Based on feedback from over 2,000 partners, our Net Promoter Score was 38 in 2015, improving from from 28 in 2012.
- 91% of partners were either very satisfied or satisfied with the ‘added value’ that CSPs provided in 2015.
- CSPs levered in £40 million of funding to support partners in 2014-15.
- 519,000 young people have completed a Sportivate project since 2011.
- 8,000 coaches have been supported to progress from level 1 to level 2 since 2009.