"Supervision for a coach is an ongoing process... which should continue through the professional life of a coach. The purpose of supervision…is to ensure that the best interests of the coachee and the client are protected and to provide educative and restorative support to the coach"
The above exceprt from Myles Downey's book* is outlined in the CIPD's training directory.
I worked through my coaching qualifications with the Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD) who comply with national occupational standards issued by the Employment National Training Organisation (EMPNTO) and with the professional code of ethics and standards developed by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). It is best practice for a coach to have regular ongoing supervision.
On a personal level I have varied supervision for both my coaching and therapy skills to ensure that I am using up to date and relevant tools and techniques and also to ensure that I am working ethically. Having a supervisor also ensures that I regularly review how I am progressing my learners so that the process of coaching flows and moves forward without hitting sticking points that could delay someone's development.
The first type of supervision I engage in is bi-monthly one to one supervision with one of the faculty tutors from the Oxford School of Coaching and Mentoring. During this supervision, should I need to speak to my supervisor about any specific learner I will first gain the permission of that person.
In addition to one to one supervision, I also belong to a best practice group of independent coaches who meet three times per year and share best practice and key experiences as well as working on our own Continued Professional Development Programme.
In conclusion it is important to say that I do a lot of personal reflection on each learner after every session and set actions for myself to ensure that following sessions are well focussed. Learners are shown all of these notes at the beginning of their coaching and thereafter on request.
*Myles Downey, "Effective Coaching: Lessons from the Coaches' Coach", Texere Publishing 2003.