Improvement Coaching Programme

What does a QI coach do?

• Coaching QI teams within directorates to apply the method to complex problems
• Has a deeper knowledge of improvement methods and tools
• Supports the development of directorate structures and processes for QI

Responsibilities

• Help engage people and teams in QI
• Support project teams to develop ideas and strategy, using QI tools, and advise on how to complete project documentation
• Support project teams in using QI methodology, including PDSA cycles and data over time
• Works with the project sponsor to help unblock barriers when needed
• Teach and explain use of QI tools and methods
• Attend supervision with local Improvement Advisor, and Trust-wide support sessions

The Training Programme

The training course lasts approximately 6 months, with all participants meeting for 3 workshops over a total of 6 days. The programme is designed to be more experiential to help them support teams using a coaching approach. Prospective QI coaches will work with a team to coach during the programme. In between the workshops, participants will join regular webinars and learning sessions for individualised coaching, feedback and support.

A new cohort runs once a year, so if you’re interested in becoming a coach, please speak to your local Clinical or Service Director, or your Improvement Advisor.

Cohort 10 Workshop Dates (October 2024 – March 2025)

To sign up for this training programme you must be available to join at least one induction session, all workshops and learning sessions from October 2024 to March 2025. Our dates and venues will be:

• Workshop Days 1 & 2: 1st & 2nd October 2024 9am-5pm – NCVO, London 
• Virtual Action Learning Set 1: 4th November 2024, 10am to 12pm
• Virtual Action Learning Set 2: 10th December 2024, 10am to 12pm
• Workshop Days 3 & 4: 21st & 22nd Jan 2025, 9am-5pm – Hampton Hotel, Luton Airport
• Virtual Action Learning Set 3: 18th February 2025, 10am to 12pm
• Workshop Days 5 & 6: 18th & 19th March 2025, 9am-5pm NCVO, London

Applying for the role

If you are interested in applying for the role of a QI coach you should have already attended Pocket QI and the Improvement Leaders’ Programme  so that you have a good foundational knowledge base of QI.

If so, please have a conversation as soon as you can with your line manager regarding the coaching role’s time commitment (around a half-day per week) and whether they will support your attendance at the course for all workshop and action learning set dates.

We welcome applications from service users and carers so if you are interested in this paid role, please have an initial conversation with your local People Participation Lead about what the role entails.

To get a feel for the role and to understand what is expected, link in with existing QI coaches and QI sponsors in your directorate. Attending your local QI forum (if you don’t already do so) is a good way to see what QI projects are underway in the directorate.

What is covered?

• History of Quality Improvement
• The Science of Improvement and Deming’s theory of Profound Knowledge
• Developing your improvement team
• Quality improvement tools
• Data collection and measurement
• Creating and analysing run and control charts
• Coaching Skills