Coaching

“Professional Coaching is an ongoing partnership that helps clients produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives. Through the process of coaching, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life.”

International Coaching Federation (ICF)

 

Coaching in NHS Grampian is provided through a variety of routes including:

  • the internal Coaching Bank, populated by employees of the organisation who hold a recognised coaching qualification;
  • the North East Learning Collaborative (NELC) Coaching Bank, populated by employees of our public sector partner agencies in the North East of Scotland who hold a recognised coaching qualification;
  • the Scottish Coaching Collaborative, populated by employees across the public sector in Scotland who hold a recognised coaching qualification;
  • the NHS Education for Scotland Executive Coaching Bank, populated by professional Coaches.

All coaching provision is supported by a Framework which provides governance and clear processes and guidance on how coaching is accessed and evaluated.

The presumption is that all potential coaching clients are creative, resourceful and whole, and that sponsors, clients, organisational coaching leads and coaches operate within a clear, ethical and future-focused environment, within the overall framework of the psychological as well as legally binding contract of employer and employee(s).

What are the Objectives of Coaching in the Workplace?

Coaching is a solution-focussed development intervention that supports people to achieve improved personal contribution, performance and operational effectiveness at work. Coaching provided through NHS Grampian is for the purpose of enhancing development and performance in the organisational context; it is not ‘life’ coaching.

For more information on coaching please visit the intranet page available here or view the Coaching Bank Leaflet here.

(Please note that intranet links can only be accessed on NHS Grampian computers, if you need further information please speak to your manager)

 

Who May Access Coaching At Work

Any member of staff may apply for coaching. As coaching takes place during the applicant’s normal working hours, applications for coaching must be supported by the applicant’s line manager.

The eligibility criteria considered when coaching is requested include:

  • new appointment, promotion or redeployment;
  • career development / transition;
  • recently having been given more responsibility within current role;
  • involved in leading staff through change / service reviews / organisational change;
  • identified need to increase effectiveness in relation to role and leadership of people;
  • identified need to improve working relationships;

Coaching is generally not suited, nor available, to individuals involved in active employee relations or role performance issues or those who are not currently in the workplace. However, where relevant, coaching may be considered as a supportive way forward once any formal process is deemed complete and / or the individual has returned to work.

 

How is Coaching Accessed?

Coaching is accessed through submission of a Coaching Application Form followed by a conversation with a member of the Organisational Development Team to assess the applicant’s fit with the eligibility criteria and their suitability for coaching.

The Application Form can be downloaded from the Organisational Development page of the NHSG Intranet.

(Please note that intranet links can only be accessed on NHS Grampian computers, if you need further information please speak to your manager)

Level Up is a strengths-based coaching, free personal leadership programme. Its intention is to help you be the best version of yourself, with the confidence to share your unique skills and perspectives in creating a better world for yourself, for others, and for the environment that we all share.

For further information about accessing coaching to support performance in the workplace, please contact Fiona Soutar, Organisational Development Manager:

Email: fiona.soutar@nhs.scot

Published: 25/03/2025 15:43