Volunteer Coach Consultation

We want to ensure that volunteer coaches are offered several ways to send and receive communications. This could be via email, text messages, newsletter, the SWPSS Forum and Teams. We would like to review these methods and get your views on what is most helpful, if you have other preferred communication options, the desired frequency of communications, the style and content of communications.

Currently volunteer coaches are able to meet virtually in group supervision sessions and also connect via the SWPSS Forum. We know that for those coaches registered with Social Work England, there is now a requirement that social workers must evidence that they have engaged in peer reflection. The aim here is to create more opportunities for networking between coaches, setting up informal de-briefing sessions, either with another coach or with one of the VC supervisors, and offering peer reflection opportunities. We want to hear your ideas on other ways of receiving and/or promoting peer support.

There are currently three main coaching models used in the SWPSS: CLEAR, GROW, and the Four Quadrants. The aim here is to get your view on other models that you may find beneficial.

The SWPSS supervision sessions are not meant to replace the formal supervision sessions that you receive in your workplace, but rather, it takes a two-fold approach. Its aim is to: a) ensure that we have appropriate standards in place to quality assure the service with our stakeholders, and b) provide coaches with day and evening supervision sessions that accommodates their work schedules. However, the over-arching aim in supervision is to provide safe spaces to debrief, explore, share coaching approaches and techniques, contribute new ideas, participate in meaningful ways, reflect, network, and support one another. This consultation seeks to provide you with a chance to suggest alternative formats and/or approaches to supervision.

We feel that the best way to support coaches in delivering an excellent service to their social work peers, is to provide them with timely and robust technical support. Knowing what does or does not work well for coaches is important to us, so we encourage honest feedback on what can be done better, how confident coaches are in navigating parts of the system that directly relate to coaching and supervision sessions, and anything that we can do to make the experience as fluid as possible.

This form is periodically updated to make it easy for coaches to use, but to also capture basic information that we need to: quality assure the service, gain an understanding of the issues that coaches are hearing from their professional peers, get an idea of tools and approaches favoured by coaches, and to offer support to coaches where the content of the record-keeping form suggests a one-to-one meeting with a VC supervisor may be needed. We think the record-keeping form is due for another update and we would like your suggestions regarding what is best to include and/or take out.

The SWPSS Governance Board has been set up and had its first meeting in April 2022. It meets quarterly. The aim of the Board is to act as oversight for the SWPSS and ensure that the service is fit for purpose. It is comprised of the following members: Annie Ho (Chair), Ruth Allen (BASW Chief Executive), Maris Stratilus (National Director, BASW England), Meryl Williams (Professional Office, BASW Wales), Lynne Froud (Voluntary Coach), Brian Morley (Voluntary Coach), Caroline Muthoni (Coachee), Kate O’Regan (BASW SWPSS Lead), Jo Fox (Strengthening Practice Lead), Monalesia Earle (SWPSS Voluntary Coach Lead Supervisor), Amanda Beattie (SWPSS Project Manager) The role, responsibilities and support of the volunteer coaches is all provided in the Coaches Handbook and provides the framework for the volunteer coach service. All coaches receive access to the Handbook during Induction.

In addition, if you were unable to attend a focus group and want to contribute to the themes discussed there please feel free to answer the following 7 questions below: