Fifth Rule for Mentoring/Coaching Youth

1. Respect the youth’s rights and dignity

Mentor/coaches should respect the rights and dignity of all persons with whom they work. Although the mentor/coach relationship does not have the same legal protections as a doctor-client relationship, every attempt should be made to respect the youth’s rights and make clear to him or her limits of the relationship.

· Mentor/coaches should try to understand youth’s personal goals, desires, and values and not undermine their ability to make their own decisions.

· Confidentiality issues: mentor/coaches should inform youth of limits of confidentiality. The mentoring/coaching relationship does not have the same rights to confidentiality as a therapist/doctor-patient relationship. Mentor/coaches may have to disclose information to parents or proper authorities, and these limits on disclosure should be explained to the youth. Other than parents and proper authorities, such as judges, school counselors, direct supervisors, or clinical consultants involved directly with the case, information gained through the mentor/coach relationship should remain confidential. No information about a youth should be disclosed to a mentor/coach’s own family, friends, or colleagues unless that person is directly involved with the mentored youth. If a situation is discussed in training settings with other mentor/coaches, then all attempts must be made to hide identifying information. In all cases, youth’s disclosure of intention to harm themselves or others and acknowledgement or suspicion of any abuse or neglect should be reported to the proper authorities.

Fourth Rule of Mentor/Coaching Youth

Act with integrity

Mentor/coaches bear responsibility for finding ways to effectively and consistently communicate with youth, to honor plans and commitments, and seek guidance and consultation from the program if they are unable to do so. Guidance and consultation with appropriate professionals (e.g., program trainers, other mentor/coaches) is vitally important in ethical decision making. If you don’t know what to do, consult with others before acting.