BASW are now recruiting Volunteer Coaches based in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Applications are open until Wednesday 8th May 2024
Why become a coach?
Coaching gives you a unique opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with fellow social workers and help your colleagues to manage the demands of the role.
As a trained coach you’ll empower individuals to develop their personal and professional performance and support them to prioritise their own well-being, plan for their future careers and build their skills and confidence.
As a coach you will gain new skills and continue your professional development. You’ll have regular supervision sessions and time to reflect to make sure that coaching is as rewarding for you as it is for your coachees.
What training will I receive?
All our volunteer coaches take part in a professional induction programme of five hours over two non-consecutive days. This is followed by a reflection session, run by our Coach Supervisor, Kate Cuthbertson.
The CPD-accredited induction will support you to gain a solid understanding of coaching and the role that it can play in an individual’s personal and professional development. Throughout your induction you’ll also learn to manage the processes, policies, and paperwork behind the SWPSS.
During your induction and later once you have signed up, you’ll be supported by Kate with regular supervision sessions and time to reflect to ensure that becoming a coach is as rewarding for you as it is to your coachee’s.
How do I sign up?
To sign up you’ll just need to complete a simple form by Wednesday 8th May 2024. Please make sure that you are able to make the dates for the induction and reflection sessions listed below.
To volunteer as a coach based in England or Northern Ireland, please complete this form.
To volunteer as a coach based in Wales, please complete this form.
We ask all of our volunteer coaches to commit to supporting the service for at least six months, volunteering for four hours per month.
Induction Sessions (must be available for both):
Tuesday 4th June 3-5.30pm
Wednesday 12 June 3-5.30pm
Reflection / Follow up session (drop in):
Tuesday 25th June 12-1.30
We particularly welcome applications from disabled, neurodivergent and male Black, Asian, Majority Global candidates as these groups are currently under-represented within the service.
Group interview sessions are being held on:
Tuesday 21st May 12-1pm
Wednesday 22 May 5.45-6.45pm
Thursday 23rd May 9.30-10.30am
If you have a preferred time for any of these days, please let us know by emailing: supportservices@basw.co.uk
Drop-in session
If you’re interested but would like to find out more, email SWPSS for the Microsoft Team link to join us on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 12-2pm. The meeting will be an informal discussion over Teams about the service and what being a coach involves.
The session will be held on Teams on 1st May 2024, 12-2pm.
How do I become a volunteer coach?
Apply to become a volunteer coach
There are a few simple steps to take to register your interest:
- You will need to complete an online form, in which you will be asked for your contact details, qualifications, experience and reasons you would like to become a coach
- You will be asked to indicate that you can give six months service at 4 hours per month.
- We will get in touch with you to arrange a full induction and details of how the service works and what is in place to support you
- The BASW admin team will confirm your registration and may request evidence of your certifications (e.g. DBS) as part of your selection process. You may also be invited to an online interview. Should you be successful, you will take part in an induction process, in which we will take you through the system and how it all works.
- Once ready to start your details will be held in an online portal for social workers to access and book an hour-long slot with you as part of the SWPSS volunteer coaches register.
You will be asked to commit to six months’ service at a minimum of four hours per month. You will also need to let us know your availability for at least one month in advance.
What training is involved?
Social Workers who wish to become volunteer coaches for the SWPSS will be required to undertake a CPD-accredited induction process. The duration of this process will be dependent on how much (if any) coaching experience you have already. The maximum CPD is nine hours.
For a non-experienced coach, the induction process takes place over three non-consecutive days using Microsoft Teams in a group setting. You will be given an overview of the role, tools and models to learn how to coach effectively, and full training on processes, paperwork and policies.
For an experienced coach, the induction process is shorter and comprises a group discussion and a half day training on processes, paperwork and policies. All volunteer coaches will receive their own Handbook which contains all of the information required.
How am I supported as a volunteer coach?
Volunteer coaches have access to a wide range of support and supervision including a reflective record for CPD portfolios. This will take place via Microsoft Teams and be led by the SWPSS Coach Supervisor. Finally, coaches will also have access to a Useful Resources page in the Appendices of the Handbook.