What is a Health and Wellbeing coach?
Health and Wellbeing Coaches (HWBCs) will predominately use health coaching skills to support people with lower levels of patient activation to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to become active participants in their care so that they can reach their self-identified health and wellbeing goals. Patient Activation refers to the spectrum of knowledge, skills and confidence in patients and the extent to which they feel engaged and confident in taking care of their condition. HWBCs may also provide access to self-management education, peer support and social prescribing.
HWBCs will use a non-judgemental approach that supports the person to self-identify existing issues and encourages proactive prevention of new and existing illnesses. This approach is based on using strong communication and negotiation skills, supports personal choice and positive risk-taking, addresses potential consequences, and ensures people understand the accountability of their own decisions based on what matters to the person.
They will work alongside people to coach and motivate them through multiple sessions, supporting them to self-identify their needs, set goals, and help them to implement their personalised health and care plan.
Our support to you
The Training Hub believes in investing in learning and development to enable individuals to reach their full potential and enhance care delivery to patients accessing Primary Care. We aim to support you as part of our workforce within General Practice by offering the opportunity to network, build a community of practice and gain additional skills needed for your role
Opportunities
There are several opportunities to learn and gain peer support outside of our Training Hub.
HWBC NHS Futures collaboration membership:
The Future NHS collaboration platform offers you an online network for sharing resources and connected with colleagues working in SSM. Setting up an online account will also give you access to regular webinars. These cover key topics and approaches to effective social prescribing. You can also catch up on webinars previously broadcast.
See NHSE link below for info on networking and collaborating with peers.
The Personalised Care Institute will set out what training is available and expected for HWBCs:
https://www.personalisedcareinstitute.org.uk/
NHS England info and resources: NHS England » Health and wellbeing coaches
Workforce development Framework: NHS England » Workforce development framework for health and wellbeing coaches
Decision Support Tools– NHS England has published 8 decisions support tools to help conversations between health professional and patient by explaining treatment, care and support options to help patient consider what matters most to them.
All Our Health communications Toolkit- All Our Health framework is a call to action to all health and care professionals to embed prevention within their day-to-day work. Through educational materials, tools and resources, All Our Health helps professionals make an even greater impact in preventing illness, protecting health, promoting wellbeing and reducing health inequalities.
Who do I contact?
