Overview

Health and Wellbeing Coaches (HWBCs) support people with lower levels of patient activation to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become active participants in their care, in order to help them to reach their self-identified health and wellbeing goals. They may also provide patients with access to self-management education, peer support and social prescribing.

HWBCs support the person to self-identify existing issues and encourage proactive prevention of new and existing illnesses, using strong communication and negotiation skills, supporting personal choice and positive risk-taking, addressing potential consequences, and ensuring people understand the accountability of their own decisions based on what matters to the person.

They work alongside people to coach and motivate them through multiple sessions, supporting them to self-identify their needs, set goals, and help them to implement their personalised health and care plan.

Read about health coaches, the background to this healthcare intervention and evidence base.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/health-coaching/

Career Pathway, Training and Development

Training includes the basics of social prescribing, plus an accredited health coaching skills programme (minimum of 4 days) and documented practice hours, along with opportunities for reflection and follow up activities. Ongoing regular supervision from a health coaching mentor is required.

Accredited Training Menu – 4-day Health and Wellbeing Coaching new – Personalised Care Institute

NHS England » Health and wellbeing coaches

This webpage provides clear guidance and links for supporting careers, training and development for Health and Wellbeing Coaches.

“The Workforce development framework for health and wellbeing coaches provides guidance for health coaches in the NHS and those employing them. It sets out professional standards and competencies, gives guidance on supervision, training, and continuous professional development.”

Details of accredited health coaching training providers can be found on the Personalised Care Institute website.

Contact

Claire Wagner, Personalised Care Roles Facilitator stw.traininghub@nhs.net