Making a Difference Again: How Using Coaching Enabled Children’s Social Workers to Enhance their Practice & Fulfil their Vocational Aspirations

Abstract

There is a dearth of empirical research and conceptual work on the application of coaching within social work. This research used focus groups and semi structured interviews to explore whether using coaching could equip social workers with greater confidence in their ability to make a positive difference to the lives of service users in a family support and child protection service. Using coaching to facilitate service users’ own change agendas and self-determined goals transformed elements of social workers’ everyday practice. The experience of cocreating transformational change through coaching positively re-connected social workers with their professional values and rejuvenated their vocational drive.