An investigation and analysis of the continuous professional development and coaching supervision needs of newly qualified and experienced coaches: a small-scale practitioner-based study

摘要

This small-scale practitioner study attempted to identify the perceived learning needs of coaches, in terms of continuous professional development (CPD) and coaching supervision. Research was UK based and conducted during May–September 2013. This paper combines findings from questionnaires, interviews and a focus group conducted with newly qualified and experienced coaches. The study found that although the overwhelming majority of coaches valued CPD, a significant proportion were still not practising regular CPD. The various barriers encountered by coaches in accessing CPD were explored. It established that barriers to accessing CPD varied between inhouse and external coaches, which demonstrates that more research is needed to understand the barriers in relation to the context coaches operate in. The study concluded that learning and development needs of coaches were different, depending on the nature, extent and frequency of coaching they do.