Your first years as an ECT should set you up to flourish as a professional throughout your career. Mentoring an ECT should be a rewarding role which develops professional practice. These aspirations can only happen if both roles are properly supported. In this session, Nansi Ellis will look at the rights and entitlements that both ECTs and their mentors can expect under the Early Career Framework, as well as general advice on effective practices for supporting ECTs and mentors so that they can thrive. Drawing on the National Education Union's work during the autumn term 2021, Nansi will highlight any emerging workforce and other challenges in the delivery of the Early Career Framework and discuss how these challenges might be overcome. The session will help ECTs to ensure they are receiving the full support package to which they are entitled and will help them to challenge poor practices that risk affecting their introduction to the profession. Likewise, by attending this session, mentors will understand their roles, responsibilities, rights and entitlements and will learn how best to ensure they get the support they need to fulfil this vital role.