I am often asked to explain the mine field that is "Coaching Training and Qualifications" and I'm always really happy to do so.

The reason I'm happy to do this is because I want you to be able to make the best decision about your future as a Professional Coach. Having been involved in designing and delivering Coaching Programmes for over 13 years, both academically and professionally, I understand the Coaching 'world' and can help you make sense of it.

People are often very confused - so let me help you to understand things clearly!

Often people seek me out for a chat because they are confused about what other companies are offering in their Coaching Programmes.  When you approach a training company to ask about their programmes, the question should always be "What academic recognition and professional accreditation do I recieve for this programme?" 

There are many Coaching courses available and the vast majority of them have no academic or professional recognition at all. 

Here are some good questions to ask before you choose your Coaching Programme

It's useful to be aware of some things including:

• Who designed the programme?
• What 'track record' do they have?
• Who delivers the programme and what track record do they have?
• What levels of support do you receive as you go through the programme and does it match your learning style?
• What flexibility do you have for your submission date?
• What level of academic recognition is there - i.e. is the programme recognised/endorsed academically, if so, what level?
• Is the programme accredited professionally?

So here it is really clearly laid out for you so that you can make a straightforward, simple and positive decision about a credible coaching programme that serves you well in your future coaching practice.

Let's hear about how Coaching is 'unregulated' in the UK.

Coaching is unregulated in the UK!

I know that it is important for you to understand that Coaching is unregulated in the UK - this means that there is no regulatory body stipulating what a Coach should be able to do, or what qualifications and accreditation a Coach should have. 

This opens the door to people who offer you quick weekend courses, short online cheap courses or long expensive courses that don't give you any professional or academic recognition.

Performance, Personal, Business and Executive Coaching, started in the UK with earnest in 2002 and I know, that when I designed and delivered the first Post Graduate programmes in 2002 and 2003 I felt it was very important for these academic programmes to also be professionally accredited, my belief continues to today.

I choose to link myself and Simply Changing to the National Council of Psychotherapists (NCP) because they are accessible, helpful and friendly and their aim is to provide the best professional support for all it's members.  The NCP accredit all our programmes at a professional level, here at Simply Changing.

What's the difference between professional and academic recognition?

Professional recognition is so very important because as a practicing Coach being linked to people who 'understand' what you do and who can therefore support you through ongoing developments in the field is so very important.   

Academic recognition is also very important because the people who hire you as a Coach will want to know that you have credibility.  People, worldwide, are now really well informed about Coaching. Businesses understand they want skilled and well qualified Coaches. Individuals are also really well informed about Coaching. People and businesses who want Coaching are looking for Coaches who can work effectively with them.  They are also looking for a Professional and Academic endorsement which enables them to build trust in you and your Coaching Practice.  Credibility is the key!

Let's take a closer look at academic recognition for Coaches

From an Academic point of view, perhaps it could be useful to think about it in this way.  You will know what qualifications a school leaver is expected to have.  You also have an idea of what a person undertaking a Degree goes through in terms of their education.  Our Diploma In Performance Coaching is delivered as a Level 5 (on the UK National Qualifications Framework) Endorsed Award, so this equates to the level of study that an undergraduate would go through in their second year.  People who choose Coaches are very likely to know where to place that level of skill and knowledge and therefore they have a 'frame of reference'.

People in the UK are really well informed about coaching.  They want their coach to be well trained and well informed.  They want someone who they can trust.

What happens if I find myself on a Coaching programme and it is not recognised professionally and/or academically?

Beware!!

If you find yourself on a programme that is not professionally or academically recognised, then it has probably been designed by a well meaning person who has a particular view on the world and a particular belief in their own skills.  They have not invested time in securing your future by ensuring you have something that is valid, nationally or internationally. 

They will not have had any input from outside sources.  They are not accountable and therefore they cannot demonstrate 'consistency' of training, delivery, content, or assessment.

You have no security with this kind of programme.  Please read the next section as it's very very important.

What if the company that designed my programme doesn't exist anymore?

If the company that you trained with ceases to exist, then your diploma has no validity.  There will be no-one who can verify what you did, so it  becomes as they say, 'not worth the paper it is written on'.

How can I protect myself when choosing the right coaching programme for me?

Here are two easy things you can do!

• You can check that it's professionally accredited and
• You can make sure that it's recognised by an Academic Institution

This means that if the company that delivered the programme ever ceases trading then you still have a valid Certificate or Diploma - it will be with you for ever!

Protect yourself and choose a Coaching Programme that has credibility both Professionally and Academically .

After reading this you are probably interested to know more about our Diploma in Performance Coaching (with NLP) here at Simply Changing, so I've popped them below for you. 

What we do here at Simply Changing

We are:

• Professional accredited because all our programmes are Accredited by the appropriate Professional body.  Including the NCP (National Council of Psychotherapists)
• Academically recognised because our Diploma In Performance Coaching is Academically endorsed at Level 5 (UK National Qualifications Framework)
• We provide ongoing learning support throughout your learning process
• Fabulous learning materials
• Proven track record of delivering quality Coaching and NLP programmes for over 12 years

If you are committed to becoming an Academically recognised and Professionaly Accredited Coach, we will get you there!!

Louise

Louise@simplychanging.co.uk

0333 800 7777