Why become a coach?
Coaching gives you a unique opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with fellow social workers and help your colleagues to manage the demands of the role.
As a trained coach you’ll empower individuals to develop their personal and professional performance and support them to prioritise their own well-being, plan for their future careers and build their skills and confidence.
As a coach you will gain new skills and continue your professional development. You’ll have regular supervision sessions and time to reflect to make sure that coaching is as rewarding for you as it is for your coachees.
What training will I receive?
All our volunteer coaches take part in a professional induction programme of five hours over two non-consecutive days. This is followed by a reflection session, run by our Coach Supervisor, Kate Cuthbertson.
The CPD-accredited induction will support you to gain a solid understanding of coaching and the role that it can play in an individual’s personal and professional development. Throughout your induction you’ll also learn to manage the processes, policies, and paperwork behind the SWPSS.
During your induction and later once you have signed up, you’ll be supported by Kate with regular supervision sessions and time to reflect to ensure that becoming a coach is as rewarding for you as it is to your coachee’s.
How do I sign up?
We are not currently recruiting new coach volunteers but if you are interested in volunteering please email SWPSS supportservices@basw.co.uk to register your interest and we will contact you when we are seeking new coaches
How do I become a volunteer coach?
Apply to become a volunteer coach
There are a few simple steps to take to register your interest:
- You will need to complete an online form, in which you will be asked for your contact details, qualifications, experience and reasons you would like to become a coach
- You will be asked to indicate that you can give six months service at 4 hours per month.
- We will get in touch with you to arrange a full induction and details of how the service works and what is in place to support you
- The BASW admin team will confirm your registration and may request evidence of your certifications (e.g. DBS) as part of your selection process. You may also be invited to an online interview. Should you be successful, you will take part in an induction process, in which we will take you through the system and how it all works.
- Once ready to start your details will be held in an online portal for social workers to access and book an hour-long slot with you as part of the SWPSS volunteer coaches register.
You will be asked to commit to six months’ service at a minimum of four hours per month. You will also need to let us know your availability for at least one month in advance.
What training is involved?
Social Workers who wish to become volunteer coaches for the SWPSS will be required to undertake a CPD-accredited induction process. The duration of this process will be dependent on how much (if any) coaching experience you have already. The maximum CPD is nine hours.
For a non-experienced coach, the induction process takes place over three non-consecutive days using Microsoft Teams in a group setting. You will be given an overview of the role, tools and models to learn how to coach effectively, and full training on processes, paperwork and policies.
For an experienced coach, the induction process is shorter and comprises a group discussion and a half day training on processes, paperwork and policies. All volunteer coaches will receive their own Handbook which contains all of the information required.
How am I supported as a volunteer coach?
Volunteer coaches have access to a wide range of support and supervision including a reflective record for CPD portfolios. This will take place via Microsoft Teams and be led by the SWPSS Coach Supervisor. Finally, coaches will also have access to a Useful Resources page in the Appendices of the Handbook.
