In the main, mentors have been the head of department of the participant. This is not, however, essential. The main requirement is that the mentor has sufficient experience to act as the critical friend. At the end of the two years successful participants receive a Certificate of Continuing Professional Development accredited by the ASE in association with the OU, and the mentor receives a Statement of Recognition. Evidence of progress is provided by a portfolio and for both participant and mentor the work makes meeting the Performance Threshold Standards much easier.
Further accreditation is available by taking an extra element in the second year.
This links the Certificate work to an Open University MA module which is worth 30 CATS points.