In 2006, research carried out by the Bath Consultancy Group for the CIPD revealed that only 54% of external coaches, 33% of internal coaches and 23% of manager-coaches receive regular supervision. Supervision is an emergent but topical issue, with increasing evidence that organisations purchasing coaching services require coaches to be in appropriate supervision.

Coaching supervision attends to the coach and their coaching relationships; the organisational system in which each coachee operates and the connections between these. The process can enable the coach to attend to key, interconnecting relationships in relation to the supervisor, whose “here and now” response brings fresh perspective to situations. Supervision helps free-up the coach from the intensity of coaching relationships and client organisations, enabling a process of ongoing learning and personal restoration.

Kirsty Leishman is a coaching supervisor, trained by the Bath Consultancy Group Coaching Supervision programme. She works with internal, organisational and independent external coaches and mentors on a frequency and terms tailored to individual need. She also facilitates practitioner groups on this matter, helping to identify what supervision may be required according to coaching and mentoring activity; as well as exploring options and impact of for example, group and individual supervision.