Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma

Course Content

Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma Unit 1: What is health?

The first unit takes a look at the definitions of health from a variety of different perspectives e.g. the medical definition relates to a void of disease and illness. Personal and societal expectations of health and what this means in the context of wellbeing and health coaching will be examined. Growth, development and the psychological issues of health relevant to the coaching situation will be touched upon and developed to tailor toward specific clients.

Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma Unit 2: Health promotion in context with health coaching

In this unit students examine the concepts of health promotion in the UK. This will include the legislation, strategies, health models and frameworks that exist providing the parameters of care and service delivery. The role, scope and client base of the health coach will be considered so that the best techniques are applied to support and promote client health and general wellbeing.

Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma Unit 3: Health and disease in context with health coaching

In order to successfully coach health, students need to have a basic understanding of the concepts of health and disease, cause and effect and prevention strategies. A basic understanding of body systems and anatomy are studied in terms of the major health conditions and issues that affect them. This unit examines prevention strategies, what is considered ‘normal’ behaviour in relation to health and how its impacts upon the health coaching program.

Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma Unit 4: The nature and scope of health coaching

This unit examines the scope of health coaching and outlines the core skills, approaches, models and techniques within this remit. There is overlap in all forms of counselling, but specialist skills are needed particular to health coaching, staying safe from infection, illness and disease. Some common-sense is associated with factual needs for a coach to help client maintain all-round health.

Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma Unit 5: Communication and health coaching

As in all coaching related courses, communication is a key element of the process. In this unit communication skills are discussed in detail, and how to communicate, and contextualize these within the coaching environment. Different forms of communication such as the use of charts and tasks such as questionnaires, SOLER charts and SWOT analysis for a range of circumstances are discussed, so the use of the telephone and email if face-to-face meetings cannot take place or as motivation prompts or simply to check-up on progress reminders.

Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma Unit 6: Social issues and health coaching

Health is a social issue as much as a personal one. In this unit the social issues such as lifestyle, relationships, gender, cultural issues and demographics e.g. poverty relevant to the coaching situation are explored in detail. How each one affects the health coaching needs of an individual and all the people around them is discussed by looking at each factor in detail. Society sets rules about what is and is not acceptable, for example mental health was taboo but is now being discussed more openly and issues such as depression are better understood, and ways found to address them e.g. in the work place or within a family.

Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma Unit 7: Coaching in professional healthcare situations

This unit looks at the health coach within a healthcare setting; this maybe within a hospital, care home, or within a management or human resource team concerned with professional development. In such environments the coaching is systematic and often uses group work, so team work and group coaching dynamics are explored. Many useful activities such as Ice-breakers, peer-counselling, using scenarios or role-play and how to form effective communication strategies to help coaching are practiced.

Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma Unit 8: Health coaching in public sector and private practice

Health coaching in the public sector e.g. in the NHS requires knowledge of public health issues, legislation and service provisions that are currently in place. The main laws that govern public health and how statistics are collated and gathered to measure or determine public duties are met are explored. Health coaching in the private sector has different knowledge requirements as they require less public accountability and are seen to offer a higher level of care costing more. The coach may receive sensitive or critical information and a level of care and confidentiality is needed which is explained.

Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma Unit 9: Ethical considerations, legislation and responsibilities

This unit deals with issues such as confidentiality, data protection, professional codes of conduct; legislation relevant to health coaching and the legal and professional responsibilities of the health coach. How and why data and statistics are collected to check the general health figures, this causes strategies and policies to be written and implemented. Laws arise out of the need to protect certain traits, vulnerability and trends in the population, so today a concern is obesity, mental health and the general health provisions due to an ageing population. Guides, rules, procedures and advise on personal conduct to support the health coach (and the client) such as having work insurance, assessment procedures and other relevant documentation is addressed.

Level 3 Health Coaching Diploma Unit 10: Consolidation, programme design and strategies

It is essential to be open, honest, and transparent to ensure that a health coach is mindful of their client’s needs and wishes. The final unit will present a brief overview of the course and give some examples of programme design. There will also be some templates included which can be adapted for personal use. This is a summary section highlighting good practice and care of the client require health coaching.