ABSTRACT
A mentoring relationship is based on open and honest communication and trust, so it seems strange to suggest that it also needs to have boundaries. One boundary that most mentors will encounter is to acknowledge when additional, or alternative, support might be required. Care is essential in the mentoring relationship in order to be supportive of someone else’s development, and diligence ensures the reliable application of mentoring skills to help mentee achieve their outcomes while at the same time helping them to improve their professional agency. The introduction of specific boundaries within a relationship might at first sight appear to constrain or limit possibilities, could also argue that the boundaries themselves are the key to exploring potential. By creating a space in which have agreed boundaries, can communicate harmoniously, allowing the possibility of opening doors rather than closing them.
