Developing coaching skills in student support practitioners

Abstract

This chapter offers a case study from The Open University, UK exploring how coaching practices might be embedded in other established mechanisms of student support. Our aim is to show how the integration of coaching-informed conversations in student support services might enhance certain interactions with students to aid their progress and achievement. We begin by outlining the steps taken to review the existing skillset of (primarily) guidance practitioners working in the IAG (Information, Advice and Guidance) service. We then move on to share recommendations from a learning and development perspective about how coaching skills might be developed. This chapter will be of interest to leaders of support services in higher education looking to diversify and enhance existing support provision, as well as practitioners in guidance, careers, mental health casework and cognate areas considering continuing professional development in coaching. We seek to provide opportunities for reflection throughout this chapter to ensure readers tailor their approach according to both the needs of their students and their own institutions