Regulated Qualification
Study a Focus Awards qualification with an exact Ofqual record and clear unit requirements.
SUPPORT OTHERS WITH CONFIDENCE
About the Level 1 Award in Mentoring
The Level 1 Award in Mentoring is an accessible starting point for people who want to support another person’s learning, confidence or development. HHF offers the Focus Awards qualification through online study, tutor guidance and portfolio assessment.
Mentoring involves listening carefully, understanding another person’s goals and helping them consider their next steps. A mentor needs clear boundaries and should recognise when another professional or service is better placed to help. This introductory course gives you a foundation for developing those habits.
You can use the learning when supporting a colleague, volunteering, helping learners or preparing for a mentoring role. Explore our Education and Training courses or contact HHF to discuss the course before enrolling.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is suitable for beginners who want to understand how mentoring can help another person develop. You may be preparing for a role, volunteering or already supporting others informally.
- New or aspiring mentors: learn the foundations before taking on greater responsibilities.
- School and college support staff: explore helpful communication and professional boundaries.
- Workplace colleagues: support people who are settling into a team or developing confidence.
- Community volunteers: build your understanding of a supportive mentoring relationship.
The course is an introduction. A particular employer or voluntary organisation may require additional training, safeguarding checks or experience. Tell HHF about your intended role if you need advice on suitability.
What You Will Learn on the Level 1 Award in Mentoring
Through the three units, you will explore the fundamentals of mentoring, communication and relationships. Your tutor will guide you through the unit requirements and the evidence you need to prepare.
- Understand the purpose of mentoring and how a mentor can support development.
- Consider the responsibilities and boundaries of a mentoring role.
- Explore listening, questioning and clear communication.
- Consider how to establish trust and a respectful relationship.
- Recognise ethical considerations and the importance of appropriate support.
- Reflect on how these ideas could be used in education, work or community settings.
These are course themes. Assessment follows the awarding body’s learning outcomes and criteria, which HHF provides with your assessment guidance.
Entry Requirements for the Level 1 Award in Mentoring
Focus Awards specifies a minimum age of 14, with entry at the centre’s discretion. It sets no other formal entry requirements for this qualification, which is available in England.
For HHF’s online course, you will need access to the internet and a suitable device to read resources, communicate with your tutor and submit evidence. You should be able to understand the learning material and complete the assessment tasks with appropriate support.
Contact HHF before enrolling if you are under 18, need reasonable adjustments or are unsure whether the course suits your circumstances. We will discuss the study arrangements and support available.
Portfolio Assessment and Practical Evidence
The Level 1 Award in Mentoring is internally assessed through a portfolio of evidence. Your assessor checks that your evidence covers every learning outcome and assessment criterion in each unit.
The specification lists possible evidence methods including assignments, worksheets, questioning, observation, witness testimony, learner products and recognition of prior learning. HHF will provide an assessment plan explaining the evidence appropriate to your units.
The public specification does not set a fixed work-placement duration, mentoring-hour total or number of observed sessions. Discuss any practical evidence arrangements with your assessor before starting. Evidence must meet the current unit criteria; completing reading materials alone does not achieve the award.
- Read the unit and assessment guidance.
- Prepare and submit your own evidence.
- Use assessor feedback to address any gaps.
- Complete the required assessment and quality-assurance checks.
Online Learning, Duration and Tutor Support
Study the Level 1 Award in Mentoring online around work, volunteering and other commitments. Your course includes learning materials, tutor support and guidance for preparing your portfolio.
The qualification has 30 hours total qualification time, including 24 guided learning hours. Calendar duration depends on your study schedule, the evidence required and how quickly you respond to feedback. Agree your course access period and submission timetable with HHF before enrolling.
A useful study routine is to work through one unit at a time, keep notes in your own words and ask questions early. Use examples that you understand rather than copying another person’s work. Keep assessment files organised so your assessor can identify the unit and task clearly.
Your tutor can clarify course concepts and evidence requirements. If you need help accessing resources or would benefit from an adjustment, tell us at the start. Learn more about HHF Training and read our learner FAQs.
Mentoring Course Fee: £149
The Level 1 Award in Mentoring course fee is £149. This includes online learning materials, tutor support, assessment and awarding-body certification following successful completion and required quality assurance.
The live fee card displays the WooCommerce price. If you would like to discuss an instalment option, contact HHF before enrolling.
Before payment, confirm the course suits your goals and agree your study timetable. After enrolment, follow the induction guidance, access the resources and prepare your evidence for each of the three units. Respond to assessor feedback and complete any further evidence requested.
Ask HHF about your course access period, assessment deadlines and any individual arrangements before you start. Read the enrolment terms and refund information supplied with your registration.
VERIFY YOUR QUALIFICATION
Certification and Recognition
Successful learners achieve the Focus Awards Level 1 Award in Mentoring (RQF), qualification number 610/7696/X, worth 3 credits.
Your assessor checks the portfolio against the unit requirements. Internal quality assurance and any applicable awarding-body checks must be completed before certification is claimed. Achievement depends on satisfactory evidence for all three units.
Use the awarding-body link and the Ofqual verification card below to check the exact qualification. HHF’s usual certificate timeframe is 4–6 weeks after successful assessment and completion of required quality-assurance checks. Discuss any deadline with us before enrolling.
This introductory award can support your development, but eligibility for a particular mentoring role is decided by the employer or receiving organisation.
Awarding Organisation: Focus Awards
Qualification Number
610/7696/X
Verify this regulated qualification on the official Ofqual Register.
START YOUR MENTORING JOURNEY
Why Study with HHF Training?
HHF combines online learning with guidance on the evidence you need to complete your mentoring award. The unit information helps you understand what to study, while tutor support gives you a place to ask questions as you work.
Your assessor reviews your portfolio and explains any evidence gaps. You can then use the feedback to improve your submission. Clear communication and an organised study plan help you make steady progress.
Learn more about HHF Training or read our learner FAQs.
Tutor Guidance
Receive guidance with course content, assignments and portfolio evidence throughout your study.
Flexible Online Study
Study around your commitments and agree a realistic assessment schedule with HHF.
Progression After the Level 1 Award in Mentoring
This award can help you take your first steps in mentoring, volunteering or supporting others at work. You may progress to Level 2 mentoring study, coaching, leadership, supporting teaching and learning, or further education and training qualifications.
If your goal is to teach or train adults, explore the Level 3 Award in Education and Training. If you already support learning in a suitable role, the Level 3 Certificate in Learning and Development may be relevant. Each course has its own entry and practical requirements.
Please check your intended progression route. An employer or receiving provider decides what qualifications and experience it accepts. Confirm their current requirements before enrolling. The mentoring award does not automatically qualify you for every mentoring job or teaching role.
GET ANSWERS
Level 1 Award in Mentoring FAQs
Answers about units, entry requirements, portfolio assessment, study time and the £149 course fee.
You will achieve the Focus Awards Level 1 Award in Mentoring (RQF), qualification number 610/7696/X, after successfully completing the required assessment and quality assurance. Use the Ofqual qualification record to verify the award.
There are three mandatory units: Understanding Mentoring, Effective Communication in Mentoring and Developing Mentoring Relationships. Each is worth one credit. All three must be achieved.
HHF’s route includes six units: five mandatory units worth 21 credits and Developing, using and organising resources in a specialist area, worth 15 credits. The total is 36 credits, with 140 guided learning hours and 360 hours of total qualification time. Assessment uses written assignments and a portfolio of practical teaching evidence.The public Focus Awards specification does not prescribe a fixed placement duration or mentoring-hour total. HHF will agree the evidence arrangements appropriate to the current unit criteria. Ask your assessor before arranging practical evidence.
Assessment is through a portfolio covering all required learning outcomes and criteria. Your assessment plan may use written tasks, questioning and other appropriate evidence methods. Your assessor will explain the requirements and any further evidence needed.
Yes. HHF offers online learning materials with tutor support and portfolio assessment. You need a suitable device and internet access. Agree your study and assessment timetable with HHF.
The knowledge-based learning and assignment preparation can be studied online, alongside teaching practice with real learners. Recorded observation evidence may be used where HHF has approved the arrangements and learner permissions. Tutor support is available by email, typically within 24 hours, and WhatsApp from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.Focus Awards specifies a minimum age of 14, with entry at the centre’s discretion, and no other formal entry requirements. Contact HHF before payment if you are under 18 or need support or reasonable adjustments.
The fee is £149, including learning materials, tutor support, assessment and certification following successful completion and required quality assurance. Contact HHF to discuss instalment options.
The advertised HHF course fee is £450. Completion depends on your study schedule, teaching opportunities and assessment progress. Confirm your learning access period, final submission deadline, optional-unit route and any additional arrangements with HHF before enrolling. The qualification’s 360 hours of total qualification time is an estimate of learning workload, not a fixed calendar duration.The qualification has 30 hours total qualification time, including 24 guided learning hours. Calendar duration depends on your study plan, evidence and assessment progress. Agree the course access period and submission deadline with HHF before enrolling.