Coaching Supervision

I have just been reading the recent article by Professor David Gray in the Coaching International Journal Volume 4 Issue 1. He brings to our attention the "Journey towards professionalisation of coaching:dilemmas,dialogues and decisions along the global pathways."
He looks at the evolution of coaching and the ongoing growth of this unregulated body. If coaching is to become a self regulated profession what do we need to develop in this world of Coaching Supervision ?
He suggests that that supervision be an established part of all Coach Training. I do agree. How should supervisors be trained ? I would welcome training being developed specifically for coaches which incorporates the very best of many schools of thought but not heavily weighted towards one particular field or model. Should we expect supervisors to be involved in the assessment of a coach's development? There are many questions still unanswered about the professionalism of Coaching Supervisors and indeed the training schools that claim to offer comprehensive training.
There are many questions still to discuss.

Is Coaching Supervision affordable and valuable.
I remember in the early years of Coaching the discussions about how to set your price structures and even today you can follow such discussions. Is Coaching at £150 an hour of better value than the more affordable sessions that are of £70 ?
Who charges the top fees and what makes them warrant the high price tag?
On the same theme, we who have trained in Coaching Supervision are attempting to promote the benefits of having supervision sessions regularly. We aim to sell the value to coaches and organisations but in real terms are we making this an affordable package, especially when we recognise that budget cuts are slashing coaching cultures. Independent coaches may be struggling to get clients, far less being able to afford the "out of the market" prices being charged by Supervisors.
Do we price our services to reflect the amount of time and money that we have
given to our own training and development? Do we conform to " well that is the rate in the city?" Perhaps we are being hugely presumptuous about the actual value that we offer. Whatever we are offering is indeed something to savor rather then jump into and consider rather than sign up at £150 an hour with an unknown person who has great credentials. What do you need to know before you buy coaching?

Here is my second attempt at spreading the word about this new profession. Coaching Supervision is out there with a new Association formed to encourage supervisors to market themselves and find work. There are many types of training courses out there and a whole range of trained and untrained people offering their services. I loved the article written by Barbara Moyes "Do good coaches make good supervisors?
Barbara undertook research as part of her Masters in Coaching.
She asked these questions;
How do coaches become effective supervisors in an emerging profession where there isn't yet a clear normative framework?

These are such great questions? I sense there is a huge gap in the market as we still lack a supervisory model distinct from the therapeutic model. Many supervisors see only through a TA model of the world, or combine it with good reflective practice and think that is what best serves the supervisee.
What do coaches most need from their supervision relationships?

Nvision Coaching: Winter Solstice- Do we recognise the lack of light in our coaching practice?

Not just another coaching blog but one that addresses the realities of life for everyone in a mindful way. Whether you are a coach, training to become a coach or someone interested in your own personal development, join me and my reflections.

via wwwnvisioncoachingblogspotcom.blogspot.com

A new website is being designed as we speak.
Following on from last time I would like to explain more about my interest in this field. Having trained in Coaching Supervision two years ago I was left wondering still about what competancies should a great supervisor have. The course that I completed did not specify and I later discovered that indeed pioneers in the field were developing tools and models which they proposed as adequate.
There is such confusion about choosing a supervisor and diversity around supervisors' backgrounds, I have researched and am now composing a website to help demystify this subject. You can reach us at www.supervision-for-coaches.com which should be live at the beginning of December.
Although the site sells my services, as I need to stay solvent, I encourage all coaches to help contribute to the content of the site. I am accessing the most recent articles, have included a forum and would love to have all your experiences posted up there. If you have an interesting case study or have had tremendous learning through supervision, feel free to share.
This is an un-biased site holding no pre-determined beliefs about any one any organisation.

Coaching Supervision is very topical and you can read many articles in "Coaching at Work." We are acquainted with supervision in various professions andindeed I remember the days of clinical supervision as a nursing student. However you have come to coaching will influence you belief about Ethical Standards and Best Practice.
What do you believe is the best way for our professional to develop? How do we know that we are working safely? I would love to hear from coaches as I research and perfect the way that I work as both coach and supervisor.
Dorothy Larios