How Supervision Helps Health Coaches Stay in Their Roles
The NHS’s health coaching workforce is a critical part of delivering person-centred care, yet many skilled NHS health coaches are thinking of leaving their roles. Supervision is a key solution, providing the professional support and development coaches need to thrive. A survey of coaches engaging in our supervision programme shows the transformative impact of supervision on confidence, satisfaction, and retention, underscoring its role in sustaining a thriving coaching workforce.
The Challenges Health Coaches Face
The primary care environment is a challenging place to work due to well-documented workload, system and funding pressures. Health coaches also experience working with complex and demanding patients.
These challenges can lead to feelings of burnout, lack of confidence, and even thoughts of leaving their roles. However, supervision is proving to be a powerful tool in addressing these challenges and improving retention.
The Transformative Impact of Supervision
Data collected from health coaches who received supervision highlights its significant benefits:
- Increased Role Satisfaction: Before supervision, only 30% of health coaches felt very satisfied or satisfied with their role. After receiving 6–12 months of supervision, this jumped to an impressive 92%.
- Enhanced Confidence: Confidence levels also rose, with 38% of coaches feeling very confident or extremely confident before supervision, rising to 74% after supervision.
- Feeling Supported: Before supervision, 33% of health coaches agreed or strongly agreed that they felt well-supported in their role. After supervision, this increased to 79%.
- Reduced Likelihood of Leaving: Supervision also positively impacted retention. The percentage of coaches very unlikely or unlikely to leave their role in the next 12 months rose from 26% to 55%, while those likely to leave dropped to just 21%.
These numbers highlight how supervision creates confidence, satisfaction, and a stronger sense of support for coaches, directly addressing the factors that drive turnover.
Why Supervision Matters
Supervision offers a structured, reflective space for health coaches to:
- Build Confidence: By receiving constructive feedback and refining their skills, coaches feel more capable and effective in their roles.
- Feel Supported: Regular check-ins with a supervisor provide reassurance and a sense of belonging, helping coaches navigate challenges and reduce feelings of isolation.
- Reconnect with Purpose: Reflecting on successes and the impact of their work during supervision helps coaches stay motivated and aligned with their goals.
- Address Workload Pressures: Practical strategies shared in supervision help coaches manage stress and maintain resilience.
Investing in Supervision for Retention
The data is clear: supervision is not just a professional development tool; it’s essential for retaining health coaches. Coaches who feel supported, confident, and satisfied in their roles are far more likely to stay, contributing to program stability and the wider goals of the NHS.
If you’re a health coach looking for support or a program lead aiming to strengthen your team, our coaching supervision services provide the insights, guidance, and reflection space that help coaches thrive—and stay in their roles.