Open Courses

Frequently-asked Questions on our Certificate and Diploma in Coaching

Why should I bother with a qualification?  I can get work as a coach without it, surely?

You can indeed get work as a coach without it.  Until comparatively recently, there were no coaching qualifications anyway.  However, our experience is that our clients are increasingly anxious about quality assurance, whether as individuals or, more particularly, as corporates.  There are too many people in the field calling themselves coaches and doing frankly very poor work.  They are damaging us all.  Having a qualification is a sign that you have attained a quality standard through hard work and through demonstrating your skill against external standards.

How does your qualification compare with others on the market?

We believe ours has the advantage of being priced reasonably, being externally accredited and of being tough, fair, achievable and not taking unreasonable amounts of a busy person’s time.  We have based it on 15 years of solid experience and evidence of what makes for an effective coach.  Our own success as a leading coaching practice guarantees that we know what we are talking about here. The phased approach to the diploma gives you the flexibility to plan your study to suit your workload.

What’s different about this qualification?

We have chosen to partner with The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) who are internationally recognised as an accrediting body for vocationally related qualifications. They offer a rigorous and practical approach which means that you will attain a prestigious award at postgraduate level. The ILM have streamlined their qualifications to match European and QCA requirements. They are one of the first accrediting bodies to do so. We now offer a baseline Certificate in Executive Coaching and Leadership Mentoring followed by an additional number of coaching hours to achieve the Diploma for Professional Executive Coaches and Leadership Mentors.

What’s the difference between the Certificate and the Diploma?

Both qualifications are postgraduate at level 7. The main difference is in the breadth and depth of study. The certificate covers the first 3 units. This includes the Intensive Skills Course with peer coaching and assessment, the theoretical component and 12 hours of coaching practice.
The Diploma involves a further unit of practice, supervision and reflection on 125 hours of coaching.

How do I choose the right qualification?

The certificate is ideal for people working as in-house internal coaches. The diploma is aimed at people who have a large component of coaching in their job or want to practise as professional executive coaches. The certificate is a natural stepping stone to the diploma. If you are unsure you could start with the certificate and progress to the diploma at a later stage. It all depends on your time, workload and aspirations.

What else do I get for all my hard work?

Throughout your certificate and diploma you will have a nominated supervisor to provide feedback and support. The supervisor will assist you in producing your written assignment, provide feedback and development suggestions on your coaching practice and advice in producing your reflective notes. We also encourage peer coaching and attendance at our regular Advanced Practitioner Network for experienced coaches. We provide access to a telephone hot line at any time. You will also be part of a small supervision group throughout the process, so there is plenty of support when you need it. Student membership of the ILM is provided free for the first year of study. See www.i-l-m.com for details.

What standard is your qualification?

Both the qualifications are at level 7 (postgraduate) which is appropriate for people working as executive or business coaches and those coaching senior people in organisations. We expect the written work to be of a high standard to meet the criteria set by the ILM. The assignment and notes of reflective practice are double marked by us and externally verified by the ILM.

How many hours work does it involve?

We believe it will take about 150 hours of work for the certificate and an additional 250 hours for the diploma.  This may seem like a lot, but most of this work will be time you will be spending anyway if you are committed to coaching.  So for instance, the time you spend attending the course and in the supervision groups is included and so is the 12 or 125 hours-worth of coaching we need to see that you have undertaken.  As a professional coach you will be keeping notes on each session to provide material for reflection.

How long does all this take?

The time frame is flexible. The certificate can be completed in 6 months, with the option of extending to 2 years. The additional work for the diploma is likely to take 12 to 18 months with the possibility for an extension to a maximum of 3 years from first registration. Experience from the 300 people who have studied with us tells us that it is wise to keep the momentum going and we expect people to complete within 2 years.

What do you assess?

Essentially, your skill as a coach.  Unlike some other coaching qualifications, we see skill as being a lot more important than knowledge, or as in the case of one coach-training company, ability to write an essay.  We will be assessing you against clear and measurable standards which are laid down by ILM.  We do also ask you to write up an assignment and submit a ‘reflective diary’, but the core of the assessment is our view of the recorded sessions you submit plus the feedback from your clients.

What about confidentiality?

We will need to know your client’s names in order to verify your practice.  Clients may also be identifiable through the recordings we view or hear.  However, all the usual rules of confidentiality apply.  No one other than your assessors will see your material and all assessors are fully committed to protecting the confidentiality of your clients.

Who does the assessing?

Senior Management Futures staff and senior Associates.  There is also a further process of ‘moderation’ where an additional senior member of Management Futures staff acts as Internal Verifier.  ILM carry out regular visits and supply an External Verifier.

What happens if I fail?

If we believe that you have little chance of reaching our standards we will have discouraged you from continuing – and at an early stage.  Feedback and support should help you reach the standard. We will then ask you to submit a further coaching session but only after further feedback and support.  If you dispute our decision, we have an internal grievance process in place.  Anything unresolved after that will be referred to ILM.

Can you take the Diploma if you haven’t attended the Management Futures course?

No

Will I be a fully-qualified coach if I get this Diploma?

No – there’s probably no such thing.  No coach can ever feel that they have come to the end of the personal development journey.  However, we compare having the Diploma as being like getting your driving licence.  You are safe to practise unsupervised, but like a recently-qualified driver, you will still have a lot of learning to do which you can only do with hands-on experience.  We reckon it takes about 1,000 hours of practice to get past this ‘probationer’ stage.