Changing how induction tutors can add themselves as a mentor

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Illustration showing “Who do you want to add?” with the options of ECT, Mentor and with “Yourself as mentor” crossed out

We removed an option for induction tutors to add themselves as a mentor.

Induction tutors can still add themselves as a mentor using the normal “add mentor” flow, but we now present them with a page to remind them of the difference between the two roles.

This change was made to the live service on 28 September 2023.

The issue

Previously, when adding an early career teacher (ECT) or a mentor, we had a third option to allow school induction tutors to add themselves as a mentor.

Screenshot with the title “Who do you want to add?” with radio button options for 'ECT', 'Mentor' and 'Yourself as mentor'
The previous “Who do you want to add?” screen

However, the guidance for the early career framework states encourages schools not to combine the two roles of the induction tutor and the mentor:

Who to choose as a mentor

Try to choose someone who is not also the induction tutor. The 2 roles have separate and different responsibilities.

What we changed

We removed the option for induction tutors to add themselves as a mentor:

Screenshot with the title “Who do you want to add?” with radio button options for just 'ECT' and 'Mentor'
The new “Who do you want to add?” screen

However, induction tutors can still add themselves as a mentor by using the “Add mentor” flow, and entering their own details.

When this happens, we now present them with a page advising them that the two roles are separate. They can then choose whether or not to continue.

Screenshot with the title “Are you sure you want to add yourself as a mentor?”

If the induction tutor tries to add themselves as an early career teacher, we prevent this from happening, as this is strictly against the policy framework. Instead, we check whether they had meant to add themself as a mentor, or would prefer to cancel.

Screenshot with the title “You cannot add yourself as an ECT”

Next steps

We will monitor to see what impact this has on school induction tutors adding themselves as a mentor.