Croydon Health Services NHS Trust creates an internal‐coaching culture

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the results of an independent, solution‐focused evaluation of the Expert Internal Coach program, accredited at level 5 by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and delivered to managers at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust.Design/methodology/approachExplains the reasons for the program, the form it took and the results it has achieved.FindingsReveals that the program is designed to give participants a solid foundation in core coaching skills, to increase their knowledge and confidence so that they can create an internal team of coaches in the organization – one that can provide a confident, credible, ethical and professional service to support improved performance, change and leadership development.Practical implicationsDescribes how the program gives participants a better appreciation of their personal style and the capacity to implement this immediately in the organization.Social implicationsHighlights how employees' new skills are helping Croydon Health Services NHS Trust to provide a more individual service to patients.Originality/valueExplains that the program has made a significant impact at individual level and the building blocks are in place to move towards provision of a more formalized internal‐coaching service at Croydon.