FLISSConnect — Welcome & Agreement

Welcome to the FLISS mentoring programme. This agreement sets out a clear, shared baseline for how mentoring works in FLISS. It is designed to be supportive rather than prescriptive: you and your mentor/mentee can agree additional “ways of working” together in your first session.

Who this concerns

This agreement applies to the matched mentor and mentee participating in FLISSConnect.

Commitment & cadence

We ask mentors and mentees to aim for a mentoring relationship of around 12 months, with the hope it may continue longer if mutually beneficial. As a guide, most pairs meet 4–6 times over 12 months, typically 60 minutes per session, using your preferred format (e.g., video call, phone). You’ll agree your cadence and format during your kick-off session.

Shared expectations (both mentor and mentee agree to):

Treat each other’s time with respect: come prepared, start on time, and follow through on agreed actions where possible.
Keep the mentoring relationship professional, respectful, and inclusive.
Be clear about goals and be honest about what’s working (and what isn’t).
Either party can decline to discuss a topic at any time by simply saying so, and that boundary will be respected.
If a session needs rescheduling, aim to give 48 hours’ notice where possible.
If either party wishes to end the match, give two weeks’ notice where possible, and notify FLISS via FLISSConnect so we can support you (including rematching where appropriate).
Mentoring is guidance and support. Each participant remains responsible for their own decisions and actions, and FLISS cannot accept responsibility for outcomes arising from the mentoring relationship, except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.

Mentor expectations (mentors agree to):

Complete mentor onboarding activities (and any required programme steps).
Complete FLISS safeguarding training within the timeframe provided and comply with the FLISS Safeguarding guidance.
Support the mentee to define goals, explore options, build confidence, and progress professionally (without presenting yourself as qualified to advise outside your competence).
Keep appropriate contact for the duration of the programme and flag issues early if the mentoring relationship is at risk.

Mentee expectations (mentees agree to):

Take ownership of your goals and actions, and come to sessions with topics or objectives in mind.
Engage consistently and respectfully, and flag issues early if the mentoring relationship is at risk.
Comply with the intent of the FLISS Code of Conduct and the FLISS Safeguarding guidance (even though safeguarding training is provided to mentors, safeguarding expectations apply to everyone).

Confidentiality (applies to both mentor and mentee):

What you discuss in mentoring is confidential and should not be shared outside the relationship, unless one of the exceptions below applies.

Confidentiality may be broken only where necessary to protect people or comply with legal duties, including:

Where you need to discuss an issue in the mentoring relationship with the FLISS Mentoring Lead to seek support (sharing only what is necessary).
Where there is a safeguarding concern or risk of harm to self or others, and escalation to FLISS and/or relevant services is required.
Where there is a legal obligation to report, or where illegal activity requires reporting to relevant authorities.
We encourage you to avoid sharing unnecessary personal or sensitive information in sessions.

Raising concerns / escalation

We encourage you to raise small issues early. If you cannot resolve something directly with your mentor/mentee:

raise it with the other person respectfully; then
if unresolved, contact the FLISS Mentoring Lead via the platform or email; and
FLISS may support mediation, agree adjustments, or arrange a rematch where appropriate.

Profile visibility & contact sharing (to enable matching)

To participate in the programme, you agree that your mentoring profile (first name, summary of work history, role, sector, and matching preferences) may be visible to potential matches within the programme. Once matched, you agree that your email address and/or telephone number may be shared with your match (you choose whether to use work or personal contact details).

Feedback & surveys

To help FLISS continuously improve, mentors and mentees agree to participate in short feedback surveys at:

3 months
6 months
programme end

We use survey data to improve programme quality and may report outcomes in aggregated form.

Data protection & privacy (UK GDPR)

FLISS stores and uses your personal information to administer and deliver the mentoring programme (including matching), manage participation, handle safeguarding or complaints, and improve the programme through feedback. We only keep data for as long as necessary, and you have rights under UK GDPR (including access, correction, deletion in some circumstances, and objection). You can exercise your rights or ask questions by contacting FLISS using the contact route provided in the platform.

By proceeding, you confirm that:

You have read and agree to the FLISS mentoring expectations and confidentiality terms.
You understand that FLISS will administer the programme through the platform and may store and use your information for that purpose in line with UK GDPR.
You understand that your profile will be used for matching and that contact details will be shared with your match once matched.
You agree to be contacted for feedback surveys at 3 months, 6 months, and programme end.
You consent to FLISS using anonymised quotes or aggregated insights from feedback for reporting and promotion.