This course has been designed to develop your coaching and mentoring skills, as a leader and as a practicing coach/mentor, to help improve management performance, communication and interpersonal skills. The course consists of four online workshops and four coaching/mentoring/supervision meetings to support your development and help you apply your learning.

These workshops use best practice to identify the skills, knowledge and behaviours of an effective coach/mentor, within an organisational context, or to develop your own coaching/mentoring practice. Ongoing practice, reflection, feedback and review are key elements throughout the course. The course aims to enable you to feel confident in using your coaching and mentoring skills within an organisation or privately and leads to an internationally recognised ILM qualification. As you go through the workshops, there will be lots of coaching and mentoring practice, some of which will focus on course content. This practice and feedback help to build confidence in your ability as a coach/mentor.

The course is run by Dominic Morris, a member and master practitioner of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), who abides by their standards and ethics. He coaches and mentors leaders and senior managers in many organisations and will be able to offer practical hints and tips as you go through the training. Dominic will also act as your supervisor during your coaching and mentoring practice.

An ILM-specific session follows workshop 1 to discuss the Level 5 and Level 7 qualification. This will include an ILM induction and a full exploration of the three assignments, with hints and tips on completing them.

ILM qualifications include one year's study membership to The Institute of Leadership, providing further support including online resources written by leading professionals, events, webinars and a quarterly magazine.

ILM-specific session for Level 5 and Level 7 qualification

4 coaching/mentoring/supervision individual support sessions

ILM Level 5 or ILM Level 7 Certificate qualification

Study membership with The Institute of Leadership

Assignment support and marking of three assignments

Defining coaching and mentoring - what are the differences and similarities

Understanding how we can use coaching and mentoring within an organisation

Measuring the value of coaching and mentoring to individuals and organisations

Identifying potential barriers to an effective coaching and mentoring programme

Understanding effective coaching and mentoring processes: GROW, TGROW, OSCAR

Identifying the importance of reflective practice and supervision for effective coaching and mentoring

Understanding values and ethics in a coaching and mentoring context

Exploring the knowledge, skills and behaviours of an effective coach/mentor, including:

Agreeing coaching and mentoring contracts

Confidentiality in your coaching and mentoring practice

Identifying communication theories and models which are helpful in your coaching and mentoring practice

Identifying common pitfalls and how to overcome them

Planning, preparing and goal setting for an effective organisational coaching and mentoring programme

Measuring your own coaching and mentoring ability and reflecting on your own professional development

The workshops are group sessions carried out on set days, roughly 4-6 weeks apart.

The workshops will include breaks for tea/coffee and lunch. You will receive a calendar Zoom invite to each workshop, ILM session and Coaching/Mentoring/Supervision meeting.

Level 5 Certificate in Effective Coaching and Mentoring

This qualification is for managers and those with significant responsibility for effective coaching and mentoring as part of their daily role within an organisational context. They are also ideal for individuals who wish to move into a development role or start a career as a freelance coach or mentor.

To achieve your ILM Level 5 Certificate qualification, you will need to complete three assessments.

1. Understanding the skills, principles and practice of effective coaching and mentoring within an organisational context

Assignment 1 aims to provide the learner with an understanding of the skills, principles and practice required for effective coaching or mentoring within an organisational context. You are required to complete an assignment, the suggested word count is 4,000 to 5,500 words, not including appendices. ILM Learning outcomes:

Understand the purpose of coaching and mentoring within an organisational context

Understand the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be an effective coach or mentor

Understand the importance of effective contracting and management of the coaching or mentoring process

2. Undertaking effective coaching or mentoring within an organisational context

Assignment 2 aims for the learner to undertake a minimum of 18 hours of effective coaching or mentoring within an organisational context. You will receive ongoing feedback from your supervisor including formal feedback, based on a recorded or observed one-hour coaching or mentoring session, this will be used as part of your assessment. You will be able to identify areas for improvement through feedback and ongoing review. You are required to submit a portfolio of evidence and records of coaching and mentoring undertaken. ILM Learning outcomes:

Be able to plan and prepare effective coaching or mentoring within an organisational context

Be able to undertake and record at least 18 hours of effective coaching or mentoring with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 individuals

Be able to demonstrate and evidence ongoing reflection and review of own coaching or mentoring practice

3. Reviewing own ability as a coach or mentor within an organisational context

Assignment 3 aims for the learner to holistically review their ability to perform effectively as a coach or mentor within an organisational context. You are required to submit a reflective journal, which provides a holistic and reflective review that links with the supplementary evidence of practice collected in assignment 2. ILM Learning outcomes:

Be able to holistically review their ability to perform effectively as a coach or mentor within an organisational context

Be able to develop a plan for their future professional development in coaching or mentoring

The ILM qualification includes ongoing feedback and tutorial support for your coaching, mentoring and assessments, with mentoring calls and supervision.

Level 7 Certificate for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors

The qualification is designed for senior managers or Human Resources (HR)/Organisation Development (OD) professionals who wish to develop their expertise and credibility in the fields of Executive or Senior level coaching and mentoring, or to establish coaching at an organisational level. They are also ideal for professional coaches and mentors seeking to enhance and accredit their experience with a nationally recognised qualification.

To achieve your ILM Level 7 Certificate qualification, you will need to complete three assessments.

1. Understanding the Principles and Practice of Effective Coaching and Mentoring at an Executive or Senior Level

Assignment 1 aims to provide the learner with an understanding of the principles and practice required for effective coaching or mentoring at an Executive and Senior Level. You are required to complete an assignment; the suggested word count is 5,000 to 7,000 words, not including appendices. ILM Learning outcomes:

Know how to effectively contextualise coaching or mentoring practice at an executive or senior level

Understand the principles and practices required for effective coaching or mentoring at an executive or senior level

Understand methods for evaluating coaching or mentoring at an executive or senior level

2. Undertaking Coaching or Mentoring at an Executive or Senior Level

Assignment 2 aims for the learner to undertake a minimum of 20 hours of coaching or mentoring at an Executive and Senior Level. You will receive ongoing feedback from your supervisor including formal feedback, based on recorded or observed 4 hours of coaching or mentoring session, this will be used as part of your assessment. You will be able to identify areas for improvement through feedback and ongoing review. You are required to submit a portfolio of evidence and records of coaching and mentoring undertaken. ILM Learning outcomes:

Be able to agree and establish a contract to coach or mentor individuals at an executive or senior level

Be able to plan, deliver and review 20 hours of coaching or mentoring at an executive or senior level with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 individuals

3. Reflecting on Your Ability to Perform Effectively as a Coach or Mentor at an Executive or Senior Level

Assignment 3 aims for the learner to holistically review their ability to perform as a coach or mentor at an Executive and Senior Level. You are required to submit a reflective journal, which provides a holistic and reflective review that links with the supplementary evidence of practice collected in assignment 2. ILM Learning outcomes:

Be able to review own ability to perform effectively as a coach or mentor at an executive or senior level

Be able to plan own future professional development activities

Be able to construct a profile and position themselves as a coach or mentor at an executive or senior level

ILM Level 5 Certificate qualification included
Effective Coaching and Mentoring within an organisational context

ILM Level 7 Certificate for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors included
Consider and demonstrate the strategic and operational issues relating to coaching and mentoring for individuals and organisations

Level 5 in Effective Coaching and Mentoring, Level 7 for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors

Most managers and leaders have one: a conversation they know needs to happen, but keep putting off because it feels uncomfortable, difficult or unpredictable.

Handling Difficult Conversations with Confidence

, builds the skills and confidence to approach these conversations constructively, rather than avoid them.

We’ll look at what makes difficult conversations so challenging, and give you a practical approach to use before, during and after the conversation. You’ll work through real situations in a supportive small group, and leave with techniques you can use straight away.

Using the Skills, Process, Behaviour/Belief (SPB) framework, you’ll learn how to:

Prepare properly for a difficult conversation

Open and close the conversation effectively

Manage your own reactions and those of the other person

Use practical techniques to keep conversations constructive

Practise a real conversation you are currently facing

We keep the group to 8 so that everyone has time to contribute, ask questions and practise. The price includes a Difficult Conversation Planner and a self-assessment questionnaire to help you turn what you learn into a personal development plan.

Book one workshop from our interpersonal skills range and get 10% off another.

To reserve a place, or to check whether the workshop is right for you or your team, email 

A practical half-day workshop to build the skills and confidence to approach difficult conversations constructively, rather than avoid them.
Limited to 8 participants.

An advanced leadership programme designed to provide existing and aspiring senior managers with the opportunity to create significant organisational and personal development.

The programme includes a 360 Degree Appraisal and focuses on developing your strategic leadership and management capability, with the support of a coach/mentor. The Level 7 qualification (Master's level) is based on a leadership project relating to your own development or the development of leadership capability within your organisation. If you wish to develop a leadership culture, specific to your own organisation, talk to us about how we can help and our in-house courses.

*The 360 Degree Appraisal can be done at any point before, during or after the course.

Module 1: Strategic Leadership Theory, in Practice

Module 2: Strategic Planning & Organisational Context

Module 3: Stakeholder Analysis & Management

Assignment: Developing Strategic Leadership and Management Capability

Understand the context of senior leadership and management

Be able to design an investigation and implementation plan of relevance to leadership and management

Be able to implement and evaluate the results of the investigation

Ongoing support with your Leadership Project

360 Degree Appraisal, feedback and support in developing a Personal Development Plan

The ILM qualification includes ILM registration, ILM certification, study membership with The Institute of Leadership, assignment/project support and marking.

ILM Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management (optional qualification)

On completion of the Level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership and Management, you may wish to gain the Level 7 Certificate. This can be achieved by effectively completing the Project Management assignment. If this is of interest, we will provide more information.

The learner will be able to construct a scope and supporting business case for a project within their own area of responsibility

The learner will be able to implement and lead a project within their own area of responsibility

The learner will be able to evaluate and communicate the project outcomes, considering the impact on their own professional practice

ILM Level 7 Award qualification and 360 degree appraisal included
Developing Strategic Leadership and Management Capability
Optional Certificate qualification with an additional project management assignment – £590 + VAT – (charity rate £490 + VAT)

Level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management

This is our most popular course, a Leadership Programme that looks in depth at the roles of a leader and a manager, starting with strategy and ending with managing performance. Helping people to understand and develop their own unique leadership skills linked to their organisation's strategy and values. This course equips you with the tools and techniques to have a greater impact in your organisation and is based on best practice. The workshops' content equips you with the skills and knowledge to recognise effective management and leadership, and builds your confidence in using them back at work.

The workshops include a practical toolkit and lots of tips and hints, turning theory into action by completing action plans. If you decide to complete the ILM Level 5 qualification, we will support you in this process. If you wish to develop a leadership culture, specific to your own organisation, talk to us about how we can help and our in-house courses.

How your development is supported – 8 workshops

Each workshop takes place over a full 7 hour day, with breaks at appropriate intervals. The workshops are group sessions carried out on set days, approximately 4 weeks apart.

Module 1: Vision & Values

Module 2: Strategy & Planning

Module 3: Communication

Module 4: Managing People

Module 5: Managing Teams

Module 6: Leadership

Module 7: Performance Management

Module 8: Managing Change

ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management (optional qualification)

1. Understanding the management role to improve management performance

Understand the specific responsibilities of middle managers in enabling an organisation to achieve its goals

Understand how communication and interpersonal relationships affect managerial performance in the workplace

Be able to assess personal development opportunities to improve own managerial performance

2. Developing and leading teams to achieve organisational goals and objectives

Understand the importance of leading teams to achieve organisational goals and objectives

Evaluate own ability to fulfil key responsibilities of the leadership role

Be able to evaluate own ability to lead others

When undertaking the qualification, participants can choose assignments, enabling them to focus on areas relevant to their responsibilities, workplace priorities, and professional development. Alternative assignment options are also available where appropriate.

Study Membership with The Institute of Leadership

Ongoing guidance, feedback and programme support will be provided throughout, helping participants to complete their assignments successfully and achieve the qualification.

Optional ILM Level 5 qualification
Vision & Values – Strategy & Planning – Communication – Managing People – Managing Teams – Leadership – Performance Management – Managing Change
ILM qualification cost – £549 + VAT – (charity rate £449 + VAT) Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management

Leadership and Management Development Programme - 8 modules (LMDP8)

This course provides supervisors and new front-line managers with a platform to build their leadership and management skills. Building their confidence and developing their skills and knowledge to perform their role effectively. It identifies best practice and explores what is expected of a supervisor/manager from an organisation's perspective and from the perspective of the people they manage and lead.

The three workshops include a practical toolkit of supervisory skills, which can be taken back to the workplace and put into immediate effect. Completing the assignments helps to develop a deeper understanding and personal application of the areas covered.

Module 1: Understanding Your Role

Module 2: Effective Team Working

Module 3: Performance Management

To achieve your ILM Level 3 Award qualification, you will need to complete two assessments.

1. Leading and motivating a team effectively

Know how to communicate the organisation's vision and strategy to the team

Know the value of good communication in teams

Understand the role that leaders play in team performance

Know how to motivate and develop the team

Understand the value of assessing performance to meet organisational and individual needs

Know how to manage performance of individuals in the team

Understand the value of feedback in the workplace

Know how to manage underperformance in the workplace

ILM Level 3 Award qualification included
Three modules: Understanding your Role – Effective Team working – Performance Management

Booking courses now

Individual workshops

Handling Difficult Conversations with Confidence

Leadership and Management

Level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management

Leadership and Management Development Programme - 8 modules (LMDP8)

Level 3 in Leadership and Management

Coaching and Mentoring Training

Level 5 in Effective Coaching and Mentoring, Level 7 for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors

Talk to us about developing your people