Mentoring Scheme

Mentorship can be critical to professional development, particularly at key transition points in surgical training. Informal mentoring exists, but access is often inconsistent and dependent on local structures, which may affect equity, diversity, and sustainability.

There is currently no nationally coordinated formal mentoring programme for trauma and orthopaedic (T&O) trainees across the UK and Ireland.

This pilot aims to address that gap and inform a sustainable national scheme.

Timeline

Launch and evaluation

The pilot mentoring programme launches on 21 July 2026.
Completion and evaluation are planned for 21 October 2026.

Mentor cohort

A pilot group of pre‑trained mentors will provide brief professional profiles.
Profiles will be available on the BOTA website to help you choose suitable mentors.

Webinars and information

Two webinars (30 June and 6 July) will explain the aims, objectives, structure, and expectations of the scheme for mentors and mentees.

Mentee enrolment and matching

You will be invited to enrol voluntarily via the BOTA website.
You will be asked to select three potential mentors from the available profiles.
During the pilot, Lisa Hadfield‑Law will make mentor–mentee matches, and you will be introduced to your mentor electronically.

Structure of mentoring relationships

Each mentoring partnership will be limited to a maximum of three meetings during the pilot.
Each meeting will typically last up to 90 minutes and will be scheduled at mutually convenient times (in‑person or virtual).
A mentoring agreement will be completed by you and your mentor to confirm expectations regarding roles, meetings, and confidentiality.

Feedback and evaluation

You will be asked to provide structured feedback about your experience during and at the end of the pilot.
This will help refine the scheme and support the development of a formal, sustainable mentoring programme.

Future development

Findings from the pilot will inform the design and implementation of the ongoing BOTA mentoring programme.
Outcomes and future plans will be shared at the BOTA Congress in November (24–27).

Rationale

Help you work with a mentor to set specific, realistic goals so you can develop to your full potential.
Provide formal mentoring outside your immediate workplace at key stages or transitions (e.g. exams, rotations, changing hospital, parental leave, fellowship, subspecialty choices).
Offer support if you encounter particular challenges or crossroads during training.

Goverance & Support

The BOTA Pilot Mentoring Scheme is overseen by the BOTA Committee and coordinated by Lisa Hadfield‑Law, the Past BOA Education Advisor.

Each mentoring relationship will be supported by a Mentor Agreement that sets out expectations for both mentors and mentees (e.g. roles, confidentiality, and the number and length of meetings).

Support is available throughout the pilot if you need advice about your mentoring relationship. Concerns that cannot be resolved between you and your mentor should be raised with Lisa Hadfield‑Law in the first instance and, where appropriate, may be escalated to the BOTA Committee.

Issues that fall outside the scope of mentoring (e.g. serious wellbeing concerns, patient safety issues, bullying/harassment, significant performance concerns, or employment disputes) will be signposted to appropriate sources of professional support.

Mentee Guide

This briefing is for T&O trainees participating in the BOTA Pilot Mentoring Scheme. It explains what the scheme offers, what you can expect from a mentor, what is expected of you, and how the pilot will run.

Brief Available Here

Your Mentors.

Your mentor will:

Offer a supportive, non‑judgemental space for thinking, reflecting, and planning.
Help you clarify goals, explore options, and identify practical next steps.
Share relevant experience and perspective, particularly on career decisions, transitions, and professional challenges.
Use questions and reflection rather than simply telling you what to do.
Keep discussions confidential within agreed limits
Respect agreed boundaries and time commitments.