The skills and activities of a mentor and a coach may overlap but each role has distinctive features that are used in LLUK standards.

Mentoring ‘Mentors are experienced colleagues with knowledge of the requirements of the role ... [Mentoring is a] structured process for supporting professional learners through significant career transitions’ (National Framework for Mentoring and Coaching)

Coaching (also described as ‘Specialist Coaching’) 'Coaches are fellow professionals with knowledge and expertise relevant to the goals of the professional learner ... [Specialist coaching is a] structured, sustained process for enabling the development of a specific aspect of a professional learner’s practice’ (National Framework for Mentoring and Coaching).

See the National Framework for more details of mentoring and coaching in education.

There are nationally recognised whole qualifications and units within a larger qualification for both mentors and coaches. The qualifications are not a legal requirement, but the processes of mentoring and coaching can add value to the quality of learning and teaching throughout an organisation.

If people on your staff are doing a teacher education course (i.e. working towards a CTLLS or DTLLS), specialist mentoring is a requirement. Members of your staff designated as specialist mentors should be appropriately qualified and trained. Check with the provider of the teacher education qualification.