1) Who is the Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring aimed at?

It is aimed at anyone who would like to develop his or her coaching and mentoring skills and develop an understanding of the theory and practice of coaching and mentoring, either as line managers or as dedicated coach-mentors. The CCM is suitable for those who want to improve performance, maximise potential as well as take responsibility for their own learning. It is specifically suitable for trainers, management development specialists, consultants, line managers and HR Professionals who want to develop their coaching and mentoring skills to enhance their managerial capability, however it is also suitable for those who wish to become professional coach-mentors.It is at an introductory level, so little or no experience in formal coaching and mentoring is assumed.  

2) What are qualifications do I need to be considered eligible for this programme?

Normally entrants should posses the following:

• English as first language or GCSE (A-C), or O level English language, or IELTS 6.0, TOEFL at 600 or equivalent
  PLUS
• at least 2 years professional experience (or reasonable equivalent)

3) What is Blended Learning?

Blended learning is a mix of different learning methods, such as telephone, online (website), face-to-face and distance learning.

4) Will this programme count towards CIPD membership?

The Certificate will not count towards membership of the CIPD but is accredited by The OCM (formerly the Oxford School of Coaching and Mentoring - OSCM)/Oxford Brookes University (OBU) at 20 CATS at undergraduate level. It also carries the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) Quality Award kite mark at Intermediate level. You can also be assessed for entry to the Masters Programme at Oxford Brookes University.

In addition, the programme complies with the national occupational standards issued by the Employment National Training Organisation (ENTO), and with the professional code of ethics and standards developed by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) For more information on the EMCC or the EMCC Quality Awards kite mark framework, please see website www.emccouncil.org

5) What are CATS points?

The Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme, or CATS, is a system of credit transfer recognised by many higher education institutions nationwide. Participating institutions are able to measure their awards in terms of the amount of credit, or CATS points, required to pass.

6) How much is the programme in 2008?

For CIPD Members: £3,330.00 + £582.75 VAT and for Non CIPD members: £3150.00 + £551.25 VAT. These fees are valid for bookings received before 31 December 2008.

7) How long does it take to complete the Certificate?

The Certificate is a 7 month programme with a structured timetable - the student will be in a learning set, with a structured timetable for the 7 months. The student will have a have a maximum of 1 year to complete all the requirements of the certificate and to submit their submission file to OSCM / OBU for assessment of the award.

8) Is it possible to continue with the Certificate and the start date I have signed up for if I miss the Initial briefing day (start date for the Certificate)?

You will not be allowed to commence the Certificate on a particular start date if you are not able to attend the initial briefing day.

9) Is it possible to defer or transfer to another certificate programme (cohort) once I have commenced the programme?

Once you have attended the initial briefing day you have deemed to have started the programme and there is no option to defer to another programme (cohort) - see our booking terms and conditions.

10) How many hours will I have to study per week?

According to the study guidelines attached to the assessment framework for this programme, the Certificate requires a minimum 200 notional hours over the course of the 7 months. As such you will be expected to put aside 6-7 hours per week.

11) How is the Certificate studied?

Students choose 2 learners (coachees) to coach throughout the duration of the Certificate, and also have a Faculty Coach-Mentor (similar to a tutor) assigned to them to offer them guidance and coaching support and supervision. They attend an initial briefing day where they are assigned their Faculty Coach-Mentor and begin your programme of self directed learning over the 7 months via a mix of learning methods.

12) What is self-directed learning?

Self directed learning is learning that requires you to assume personal responsibility for your learning and where you spend a considerable time learning at your own initiative. Although this programme provides a formalised structure and breakdown of what needs to be completed on a month by month basis – this is only a suggested timetable to allow you the best chance to complete all elements in the allotted timeframe for the programme. Although the Faculty Coach-Mentor will encourage you to adhere to this timeframe their role is not to continually remind you of what needs to be completed by when.You will need to essentially manage your own learning throughout the programme.

13) What must I do to gain the Certificate?

Students must:

• join a learning set and attend a one-day briefing (based in central London) at the beginning of the programme where a personal learning plan for the programme will be agreed
• hold 5 telephone coach-mentoring sessions with your Faculty Coach Mentor, each lasting for 75 minutes (you usually pay for the cost of these calls)
• work with 2 volunteer learners (coachees) to practice your own coaching and mentoring expertise through five coaching sessions with each of the learners
• attend a key issues and peer mentoring day (based in Central London)
• complete 5 online self-assessment exercises – topics are:
  • Foundation Level Coaching and Mentoring Competencies
  • Peter Honey Learning Series
  • Intermediate Level Coaching and Mentoring Competencies
  • Values and ethics
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Revisit Intermediate Level Coaching and Mentoring Competencies 
• complete a 180-degree online benchmarking exercise from yourselves and your learners (coachees), used to evaluate their progress against required standards
• participate in 5 out of 6 internet based discussion groups (with other students). The discussion topics are as follows:
  • Establishing relationships
  • How do adults learn?
  • Mentoring in context
  • Work-life balance
  • Monitoring improved performance
  • Reflections on the programme
• complete 5 prescribed online and knowledge reading modules – The subjects for these are:
  • Specialist Coach and Mentor (Eric Parsloe - an online toolkit and learning resource for application throughout the programme)
  • Coaching for Performance – John Whitmore
  • Transformational Mentoring – Julie Hay
  • Leadership Coaching – Graham Lee
  • The Coach’s Coach – Alison Hardingham
• complete a series of reflection notes
• complete an on-line Submission File which includes evidence for the award and reflections from coaching sessions and experiences that occurred throughout the programme.

There is NO EXAMINATION for this Certificate. The Certificate handbook, given to you on the initial briefing day, details all of the course work, with monthly advice on completion dates for all these components.

14) What is the suggested month to month breakdown for completion of all the elements of the Certificate?

See ‘overview of certificate’ table in study calendar section.

15) What learning models, coaching tools and techniques will be used?

Although the Certificate has been designed to be as free, holistic and open as possible, the following coaching models, tools and techniques will be covered as a minimum:

• progress reviews
• reflection notes
• personal learning plans
• SMART goals
• learning Styles Preferences
• GROW (by Whitmore, probably one of the best known coaching models in the UK – stands for Goals, Reality, Options and Will.)
• appreciative inquiry.

16) What is the On-line toolkit?

This is an on-line toolkit and learning resource called the Programme Support System (PSS) and is designed and developed by The OCM (formerly the Oxford School of Coaching and Mentoring - OSCM) in collaboration with CIPD training to provide students with a wealth of online learning and resources to underpin the knowledge on the Certificate programme and provides them with essential coaching and mentoring tools and techniques. In addition, the PSS hosts the online discussion forums, has the facility for students to store and track their submission file online as well as the ability to share work and exchanges directly with faculty coach-mentors. The OCM Programme Support has been set up to help, guide and support students with any difficulties they may have accessing or navigating the PSS.

17) What is 180 degree Feedback?

After you have had at least 4 coaching sessions with your learners, the learners then feedback, via an online questionnaire, on you. The results (feedback) is then discussed between you and your faculty coach-mentor. You then complete a reflection note on your 180-degree benchmarking exercise. All reports generated from this feedback exercise will be sent to you via The OCM Programme Support.

18) How many learners (coachees) do I need?; do the CIPD provide the learners?

You work with 2 volunteer learners. You are provided with a ‘guidelines for choosing learners’ document that will outline the requirements and general considerations for choosing learners. CIPD Training doesn’t provide the learners.

19) What should I be looking for when choosing learners?

• not recommended to choose partners, spouses, close friends or family
• helpful if at least one of your learners is a member of your staff or team
• helpful if one is someone from a different working environment
• also helpful if they are from your organisation but a different department
• they should be interested in receiving your help and support.

20) Can I take a holiday during the year long period?

The booking conditions of this programme state that you cannot take a long (more than a month) holiday during the course. You can take up to 2 weeks, although you must be prepared to catch up on missed work.

21) How do I apply to study the Certificate?