Apply to be on the IHM Coach Register

The IHM is developing advice and support for its members on coaching and mentoring.  Members will be able to learn more about coaching and mentoring, and to select a coach from the IHM register of experienced and qualified coaches.  This web site also provides guidance on choosing a coach.   IHM members may then contact coaches if they wish to. The IHM is quality assuring the list of coaches,  since our aim is to improve access to good quality coaches for our members.  The site is initially prioritising coaching,  and will be developing further information and links on mentoring. 

So once the site is complete, it will:

• Describe coaching and mentoring and explain the differences between them.
• Set out the benefits of coaching and mentoring.
• Explain what coaches can offer and how they work.
• Provide advice to members in choosing a coach to work with.
• Provide information on coaches for members through a quality assured database.
• Provide useful coaching and mentoring links.
• Provide information on mentor training and good practice in mentoring.

The IHM is happy to receive applications from coaches that wish to be included in the register.  Applications will be reviewed on a regular basis (roughly every three months).

The information below is designed to allow coaches to find out more about the initiative (and the IHM) and download application forms.

INFORMATION FOR COACHING APPLICANTS 

The IHM is the primary professional body for health managers in the UK. It has around 5500 members across the NHS and other sectors and dates back over one hundred years.

 

The IHM provides a wide range of services for its members, including local activities, CPD support, a management journal and regular briefings, updates and workshops. The IHM also holds an annual national conference. More information about the IHM can be found on this web site.

BACKGROUND

Coaching has increasingly come to be valued and appreciated across all sectors over the last few years. There has been a large growth in coaches, coaching and organisational commitment to using it for support and development.

 

IHM members want support through coaching and mentoring. The demand for coaching has increased as the challenges and complexities of health managers’ roles have changed and developed over the last few years.

 

We are responding to that need by developing a coaching database for our members, so that they can choose a coach themselves - with guidance and support - and from an accredited, quality assured list. We also recognise that the Institute should regard coaching as part of its core purpose and business.

 

We are starting by focussing on coaching and will be developing a mentoring framework later in 2008/2009.

COACHING

We are defining coaching in professional terms as a process through which  the coach helps their client develop or improve an issue through careful listening, questioning, analysis, summary and challenge. In this the client is resourceful, the coach and client work as partners and in a holistic way.  The coach uses formal coaching techniques in this, and a distinction is drawn between coaching and mentoring.

THE MATCHING PROCESS

This scheme helps our members by:

 

• Describing what coaching is
• Explaining what good coaches can offer and how they work
• Setting out what members should look out for when choosing a coach
  (for example, explaining what qualifications to look for and what they mean)
• Providing information on coaches to members.
• Quality assuring coaches on the database.
• Providing other useful coaching links

The intention is to empower members as much as possible to choose a coach, so a balance has been struck between having inclusion criteria for coaches and providing information from which the member can make his or her own choice.  So, for example, inclusion criteria include having a supervisor, coaching for more than 100 hours and having a coaching qualification.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS 

When you complete this application form, please ensure that you pass the reference forms to your supervisor and clients (2) for them to complete. You also need to ask them to return them by email to coaching@ihm.org.uk . You should return your application form to that email address. Please make sure your references are returned.

 

You can download the application forms below. Your application and reference forms will help us decide whether or not you fulfil the criteria above. If you do, you will be invited to complete a slightly more detailed profil - the one that our members will see when they are looking for a coach through our web site.

 

We are also going to ask you for a joining fee of £100 if you meet our criteria and want to join the IHM approved list of coaches.  This is a small fee for coaches  to pay and allows us to support this scheme properly for the Institute and its members.  There will be an annual fee thenceforth.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

There are a number of ways that we are quality assuring our database and selection process. First, we have some entry criteria - 100 hours of coaching, a qualification and supervisor and client references.

 

Second, we shall also be following up a sample of supervisor and client references and asking coaches on our database for additional references infrequently into the future on a random basis.

 

Finally, we shall be asking our members who access coaches through our scheme to give us feedback on their experience.

MORE INFORMATION AND QUERIES

You can get more information on the scheme and the application process by contacting:

 

Alan Carpenter                          or              Sarah Farage

Mobile: 07831 403560                                Phone: 020 7593 0460

Email: alan.carpenter@hotmail.co.uk          Email:  coaching@ihm.org.uk