Certified Coach Training Programme

Module 1: Starting the Coaching Journey

Establishing the coaching relationship and introducing a range of coaching models, skills and techniques that encompass the ICF competencies:

• Develop a clear understanding of what coaching is and how it differs from other developmental approaches
• Explore different approaches and the core conditions for coaching
• Understand the ICF Competency Model and how this underpins this training
• Identify the key elements of contracting for the coaching process and in individual sessions
• Enhance key coaching skills including listening and powerful questions and explore different tools that create insight and learning.
• Have applied a coaching framework and key competencies to coaching conversations
• Deliver constructive feedback that allows peers to build on their strengths and recognise areas for development
• Have the confidence and foundation skills to start a coaching relationship

Module 2: Developing as a Coach

Building coaching competence and awareness of coaching style. Using principles of neuroscience to coach effectively using a solution focused approach. Creating a safe coaching space. Learn how to challenge with integrity using a range of coaching ‘tools’ including use of intuition:

• Creating trust and safety in the relationship
• Explore how are brains work and implications for coaching using a solution focused approach
• Understand the impact of different intervention styles and own personal preference
• Develop ability to challenge with integrity
• Develop your repertoire of coaching interventions and tools
• Have applied a coaching framework and key competencies to coaching conversations

Module 3: Building Your Presence and Professionalism as a Coach

Explore the ICF’s ethical guidelines and professional standards and impact of personal standards and boundaries on the coach, client and coaching relationship. Building a coaching mindset and coaching presence. Exploring who you are as a coach:

• Explore potential ethical dilemmas and develop strategies to deal with them in line with the ICF ethical guidelines
• Recognise the importance of strong personal standards and boundaries
• Develop a coaching mindset. Reflection on practice: group supervision
• Improve your ability to be fully present and choose the most effective intervention in the moment.
• Develop confidence when dealing with strong emotions without becoming enmeshed
• Benchmark against ACC standards identifying strengths and development areas from self- reflection, learning journals, feedback to date and observed coaching practice
• Recognising who you are as a coach – your signature presence

An individual mid-term review will be scheduled following this module.

Module 4: Going Deeper as a Coach

Supporting our clients to achieve transformational and sustainable change. The importance of working with their ‘inner world,’ using values in our coaching, challenging assumptions, limiting beliefs and behaviours. Working with clients through change.

• How to identify and using values in coaching
• Understand the relationship between behaviour, beliefs and our thinking
• Learn how to support clients explore assumptions and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and beliefs.
• Recognise the emotional impact of change, assessing readiness for change and supporting clients through transition.
• Increase your range of coaching interventions and tools with creative coaching techniques.
• Have applied a coaching framework and key competencies to coaching conversations
• Building awareness of who you are as a coach

Module 5: Validation Session and Your Ongoing Journey as a Coach

This session will be a benchmarking exercise. It will be an opportunity to demonstrate evidence of the ICF core competencies against ACC criteria in a live coaching session. Your feedback report from this day will provide a foundation for a development plan to support your ongoing journey:

• What good looks like at ACC
• Assessing a coaching session
• Demonstrating sufficient evidence
• The Validation process
• Celebrating and recognising your journey so far
• Next steps on your coaching journey
• Coach mentoring and supervision
• Endorsing and review
• Reflections and close

Group Coach Mentoring

• Two 2.5-hour webinars (held one and two months after module 5)
• One 2-hour webinar (held two months after module 5) – to prepare you for the ICF’s Coach Knowledge Assessment multiple-choice test

One-to-One Coach Mentoring

• Three one-hour sessions with an ICF coach mentor (or, if you prefer, two 90-minute sessions)
• Virtual sessions (by phone or Zoom)
• Arranged individually (best held within six months after module 5)