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“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” Pablo Picasso

Coaching supervision

Claire Palmer provides a range of coach supervision and support services to professional, career, management and executive coaches.

‘Supervision’ for coaches has many different connotations. Here are just a few:

Supervision is a formal arrangement for coaches to discuss their work regularly with someone who is experienced in coaching, supervision, tools and techniques.
It has sometimes been called ‘Super Vision’ as a way of demonstrating that it is not restrictive or prescriptive but rather a process for increasing creativity.
Encouragement and facilitation of the ongoing self development, continued professional development and learning of the coach.
Confidential, non-judgmental space for the coach to explore what is going on in their coaching, to discuss what issues come up for them and to have meaningful conversations about these issues.
Observed coaching.

What are the benefits?

Continuous improvement for the coach, the organisation and the coachee.
Maximising the coaching investment by diminishing risk and enhancing attention to the organisational drivers.
Personal development for the coach by monitoring client work and developing existing or new skills in a supportive environment.
Maintaining standards and ethics – coaching applied ethically and effectively.
Growing and developing the profession by focusing on outstanding results and coaching.

How often?

There are varied views on the frequency of supervision/mentoring sessions. It depends on your current clients, developmental needs and experience. The recommendation for supervision for other helping professions is I hour for every six hours of client work. I see regularity as important and recommend one session per month.

What’s the difference between ‘supervision’ and ‘mentor coaching’?

This is a great question where there is no agreement across the profession. Take a look in Supervision with me for how I see coach mentoring and supervision.