A code of practice has been established for the Socitm Mentoring Scheme and the following principles must be observed:

• Confidentiality must be maintained throughout any mentoring partnership. This will include third parties.
• Both mentor and mentored will enter the partnership voluntarily. Either may leave the relationship if for any reason they feel it is not working.  It is expected however, that any reasons for such withdrawal must be discussed between the two parties.
• The mentor's role is to respond to the mentees needs, and to be a trusted adviser. It is not to impose his/her own agenda.
• The mentor and mentored must respect each others time and other responsibilities and not seek to impose more than is reasonable.
• Mentor and mentored must also respect the position of third parties.
• The mentor/mentored relationship should not be seen as a substitute for consultancy.
• The mentor should not intrude into areas that the mentored wishes to keep confidential or private.
• The mentor and mentored should be open and truthful throughout the relationship and be prepared to review from time to time, it could be more effective.
• The mentor and mentored will be responsible for a smooth 'winding down' of the partnership, once it is agreed that it has achieved its purpose.