KSS Medical Foundation and GP trainees should access support services via the KSS’s own Professional Support & Wellbeing Service. Please head to KSS Professional Support and Wellbeing Service for more information.
PSU Coaching Service
What is Coaching?
Coaching can be a highly effective way of developing awareness and insight to how we think and behave in the workplace. As a first step, this awareness shift can have a profound impact on a range of issues in our personal and professional lives. Individuals often find that coaching leads to greater satisfaction and fulfilment, heightened levels of engagement and performance, enhanced self-confidence and assertiveness, and a greater sense of wellbeing. Meeting one-to-one with your coach over a number of sessions can be a valuable way of identifying workable strategies for overcoming blocks to success, dealing with challenges and changes in the workplace, and finding and maintaining balance.
How does Coaching work?
A central feature of coaching is that the individual is able to take charge of their own decisions and development to realise their full potential - it is therefore not about about advice giving. The coach is there to facilitate this process through structured questioning, often gently challenging unhelpful or limiting assumptions, beliefs and perspectives. The aim is always to support the individual to not only find their own solutions, but to have the confidence and motivation to move forward in their preferred direction. The coaching room - or virtual room - is a safe and confidential and non judgemental space where you can explore and reflect on issues that matter most to you at this point in your training, your professional development and your life. Individuals can be open and honest both with themselves and with their coach, knowing that the coaching relationship is grounded in respect and unconditional positive regard.
What does the PSU Coaching Service offer?
The PSU's team of experienced and qualified coaches provide one-to one-coaching for doctors and dentists on training - from foundation year 1 to CCT. We are dedicated to supporting individuals who are in challenging situations which could negatively impact on their progression in training or preventing them from getting the most from their professional training or career.
Please note the coaching offered by the PSU Coaching Service is different from the neurodivergence-focused coaching which you may also be able to access. Please see the separate web page on neurodiversity for further information about that.
The remit and features of the PSU Coaching Service are listed below:
- We offer up to 4 confidential individual sessions with a qualified and experienced coach specialising in coaching healthcare professionals.
- Details of what you discuss in the appointment won't be shared with others involved in your work or training automatically or without your consent
- You will be allocated to a suitable coach who will work with you on the issues identified in your application form. Should you have any concerns or issues with this allocation please contact: Coaching.PSULondon@nhs.net
- The PSU Coaching Service is specifically designed to support the individual as they explore how they can address the challenges and complexities of their lives in relation to their work-based training.
- The PSU Coaching Service is available to healthcare professionals on a formal, workplace based training programmes such as postgraduate medical or dental trainees; pre-registration Pharmacists; Healthcare Scientists on STP or HSST programmes
- We work in conjunction with the other services within the PSU to ensure a holistic approach to the individual’s professional support and development.
- Appointments usually last up to 60-90 minutes and can be by telephone or via virtual platforms (eg MS Teams).
Please note the PSU Coaching Service operates weekly 9-5pm. We try to offer some flexibility where possible outside these hours for 1-2-1 appointments but this is dependent on coach availability so appointments cannot always be guranteed outside core working hours.
How can I arrange a coaching session?
- Complete the confidential coaching application form link below (the information is not shared with anyone involved in your work or training)
- One of our coaches will be allocated to you and will email you to arrange a convenient appointment time
- Appointments are usually held virtually on Teams or Zoom but phone appointments can also be requested.
- You should expect to have contact from your allocated coach within 14 days. Please email us separately if you have not been contacted or your query is unusually urgent.
You can access one-to one coaching sessions by clicking here: PSU Coaching application
We endeavour to respond to emails and applications within 14 days.
One-to-one Coaching Cancellation criteria
- Clients are allocated to suitable coach for up to 4 x Free 1-2-1 virtual appointments on dates/times that are mutually convenient to client and coach.
- Clients can cancel/re-arrange their appointments with their coach up to 24 hours before their appointment by email. However, if changes are made less than 24 hours before their appointment they may lose one of their allocated coaching appointments. In all circumstances clients should submit by email to their coach the reason for their late cancellation.
Coaching themed workshops
The PSU Coaching Service run a number of coaching themed workshops throughout the year including managing and supporting recovery from burnout, and returning to work with confidence and assertiveness . Further information on our current workshop offer can be found by clicking here: PSU Coaching Workshops
Coaching resources
The PSU Coaching service have a number of resources on common coaching themes often presented by doctors and dentists in training who access our service. Please click on following links to access videos, articles, tools and exercises:
Downloads
Questions and queries?
If you cannot find the answer to your question on these web pages and wish to speak to a PSU Coordinator please email enquiries.PSULondon@nhs.net