What is Coaching Supervision?
The Association of Coaching describes coaching supervision as:
"a formal arrangement for coaches to discuss their work regularly with someone who is experienced in coaching and supervision. The task is to work together to ensure and develop the efficacy of the client work. The agenda for supervision is the coaching work together with the supervisor's reactions and comments"
and as "a process to maintain adequate standards of coaching provision. It is also a supportive process. Supervision has sometimes been called “Super Vision” as a way of demonstrating that it is not restrictive or prescriptive but rather a process for increasing creativity"
Peter Bluckert (2005) defines supervision sessions as:
“a place for the coach to reflect on the work they are undertaking, with another more experienced coach. It has the dual purpose of supporting the continued learning and development of the coach, as well as giving a degree of protection to the person being coached.”
Bachkirova, Stevens & Willis (2005) write:
"Coaching Supervision is a formal process of professional support, which ensures continuing development of the coach and effectiveness of his/her coaching practice through interactive reflection, interpretative evaluation and the sharing of expertise"
Myles Downey writes:
"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."
While Hawkins and Smith (2006) definine coaching supervision as:
“The process by which a Coach with the help of a Supervisor, can attend to understanding better both the Client system and themselves as part of the Client – Coach system, and by so doing transform their work and develop their craft.”
Edna Murdoch defines coaching supervision as:
"A specialist service for coaches. A place of absolute acceptance and support, where coaches can explore the heart of their coaching practice. It can be demanding out there! The central focus in Coaching Supervision is finding out what is really going on within the coach and the client, and how to clear the interface between them, so that coaching is efficient and effective. Cognitive insight is important, but Coaching Supervision shows coaches how to take this to another level and implement insight wisely. Coaches will learn new process skills, subtler interventions and breakthrough to new levels of awareness, through developing their best ally, the Internal Supervisor."