The UK government has launched a new service that means all civil servants will be able to access free one-to-one coaching.
Under the Government Skills’ Internal Coaching Service, which is also available through Civil Service Learning, users can access a new, digital platform which enables them to choose from a database of more than 250 fully-trained coaches, all current civil servants.
It then sets up a messaging channel between the coach and coachee, through which they can organise face-to-face or online sessions.
The updated system means users can decide who they want to work with based on a short profile of each coach, detailing their professional background and approach. The functionality also allows users to search for a coach by department, profession, or name.
The Internal Coaching services work by digitally matching users to a coach who meets their needs and preferences.
Once the user has selected a coach, they use the in-built videoconferencing function that works no matter what IT system their organisation uses.
“This is a service for civil servants by civil servants and it provides a personalised way of supporting performance development,” said Helen Ogilvy, Government Skills’ Head of Coaching, who herself is one of the coaches on the service.
“We are confident that this new service will provide an enhanced user experience which will encourage more people to give coaching a go as it is a fantastic way to boost performance and explore fresh ways of tackling work-based issues.”
Crucially, the service is free – giving individuals the autonomy to explore coaching as a development tool without needing sign-off from managers, Ogilvy said.
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