Behind the Scenes Preparing for V3.0

As the launch of Mentor V3.0 approaches, we’re excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at how this game changing update is coming to life.

From the very beginning, Mentor was built by former children’s care professionals who understood the frustrations of time consuming paper based processes and clunky systems. Now, we’re taking everything you love about Mentor, and making it faster, smarter, and even more user friendly.

In this article, we chat to our CTO, Joe, and explore what it takes to rebuild a platform that supports the people who care for young people every day.

Q&A With Joe, Mentor Software CTO

Q: What’s been the biggest challenge in developing V3.0?

Joe: Probably rebuilding the platform while maintaining the things our users rely on daily. It’s a careful balance of introducing smart new features without making it overwhelming for frontline staff.

Q: What are you most proud of in the new version?

Joe: From a development point of view, combining simple navigation and complex features is a challenge, but I think we have achieved this in V3 with the one page approach. This has been a big focus in the new design, particularly the home dashboard, young person and staff areas.

Q: Why now for V3.0?

Joe: We’ve reached the point where the care sector is evolving, and providers need more from their software. V3.0 is our response to that, giving people a tool that genuinely improves how they deliver care.

A Platform Designed With Care in Mind

V3 isn’t just an update, it’s a complete rebuild of Mentor Software.

After years of listening to feedback from children’s home managers, staff and responsible individuals, we realised it was time for something more robust. Something that could grow with your service, offer greater flexibility, and simplify your day to day.

In April, we invited a select group of long standing customers to a soft launch event at the Hilton, Leicester. It was a chance to walk them through the new interface, showcase live demos, and gather early impressions in person. Their feedback? “Clean, intuitive, and long overdue.”

We were also privileged to be joined by several guest speakers who brought depth, expertise, and real value to the day. Experts from Croner shared exclusive guidance around compliance and employment law, offering attendees practical insights into navigating complex HR issues within children’s care. Gallagher Insurance Specialists provided advice on managing risk and securing the right coverage for residential settings, helping providers better protect their services and teams. Marie Born, Mentor’s Strategic Lead, hosted an engaging live workshop on the importance of daily recordings. She highlighted how well kept, non-stigmatising records contribute to a young person’s life story, protect staff, and ensure accountability in daily care.

Just another reason why being part of the Mentor community means more than just using software; it’s about staying connected to a network of professionals who support and strengthen your care delivery.

Real Feedback in Real Time

Throughout May, we’ve opened a sandbox version of Mentor V3 to a group of early access users. These VIPs have their own space to test the new interface, trial key features, and get a feel for how it supports their homes.

We’re inviting feedback through short surveys and structured calls so we can make improvements before launch. From onboarding flows to document uploads and dashboard filters, every click informs the next version.

Why This Matters to Children’s Homes

We know how much pressure children’s homes are under; from staff shortages to complex compliance requirements with high administrative demand. Mentor V3.0 is our way of reducing the digital burden and making your systems work harder, freeing up caregivers time to focus on enhanced and meaningful care.

With more automation, better reporting, and a user experience built for busy care professionals, Mentor remains the most practical and purpose built software for children’s residential care.

We’ll be sharing more updates in the coming weeks, along with sneak previews of new features and improvements. If you haven’t yet explored our V3.0 Easter campaign, there’s still time to crack the egg and reveal your exclusive discount on training and onboarding.

Thank you for growing with us, shaping the platform, and trusting Mentor to support your team and young people. And the most exciting part? we’re just getting started!