Reflection on Workforce Development Framework for HWBCs - Version 2

By Caroline Hart

Last week, Version 2 of the Workforce Development Framework for HWBCs was published by NHS England, providing a timely opportunity to revisit the headlines in this key document. It sets out the background and context for training, developing and supporting health and wellbeing coaches in the NHS, outlining the roles and responsibilities of HWBCs as well as their employers and supervisors.

The document remains broadly similar to Version 1 with the focus on the revision of recommendations regarding health coaching supervision. According to Version 2 of the Framework:

1.     Health coaches should have a minimum of one hour of supervision per month from a ‘qualified health coaching supervisor’.

2.     Those offering health coaching supervision, ‘should have formal accreditation in coaching supervision recognised and approved by the PCI (Personalised Care Institute)’.

3.     Health Coaching (HC) Supervisors should be undertaking a minimum of 50 hours of health coaching practice per year and be receiving regular supervision themselves for their health coaching practice

4.     Going forwards, HC supervisors will need to be able to produce a log of the supervision they have received for their health coaching practice together with the name of their qualified HC supervisor. (Interestingly, nothing is said about supervision for health coaching supervision as a distinct practice from health coaching itself).

5.     The revised Framework proposes that health coaching supervisors may be able to evidence their experience in health coaching models and theoretical frameworks with a health coaching supervision statement.

6.     It is further proposed that such a statement could enable HC supervisors to demonstrate awareness of the ‘values, beliefs and assumptions that underpin their work’. It is not clear who might review such as statement.

Interestingly, since Version 1 of the Framework was published back in 2022, the Personalised Care Institute has published standards for health coaching supervisor training and has accredited training providers who have adhered to these standards – we’re delighted that Peak Health Coaching is one of these accredited training providers and that we have been able to support the training and professional development of qualified health coaching supervisors so that in turn they are able to support and supervise HWBCs.

However, further reflecting on the Version 2 Framework, more work is needed to distinguish and assess health coaching competence, particularly at Tiers 2-4, beyond the first 50 hours of practice (Tier 1). While examples of how an individual might demonstrate their competence are given (e.g through a log, reflective statement or observed practice), there is no assessment rubric to distinguish different ‘tiers’ of achievement.

At Peak Health Coaching we devised our own assessment rubric, and it would be great to be able to engage in further critical debate with regard to appropriate processes of assessment and quality assurance with regard to health coaching competencies. Considering the lack of rigorous and consistent methods of assessment of Tier competence in the Framework to date, we incorporate robust assessment up to Tier 3 health coach in our Supervisor Training programme.

As one of our graduates observed, ‘The course is extremely thorough, covering not only the principles and practice of supervision, but also the coaching knowledge and skills that underpin effective supervision. The course instructors were supportive, knowledgeable and generous in sharing their experience, and I feel well equipped to go out and offer supervision as a professional service with confidence’ (Supervisor Training course graduate, 2026).

Another contribution we are proud of at Peak is the division of the long list of competencies in the framework into numbered competencies within four core ‘Areas’ A, B, C and D. Do have a look at our free resources here to explore the competencies further and to access resources to help you log your progress as an evolving health and wellbeing coach. We welcome your feedback.

All in all, Version 2 is one step forward in terms of tightening up the requirements for Health Coaching Supervisors and their required training and qualifications and we look forward to Version 3 with more progress on evidencing and assessment of tier competencies. We welcome further discussion and debate.