06 · Accreditation Levels

Three levels. Movement between them is evidence-based, not time-served.

Associate Coach

Bar: Met file 01 framework at ≥3 across all domains; ≥4 in D1 (contracting) and D4 (safeguarding). All vetting (file 05) complete.

Can deliver:

• 1:1 coaching in Sprint 1 (manager mental health), Sprint 4 strand B (financial coaching) under buddy supervision for the first 3 cohorts.
• Asynchronous nudges (Sprint 1 / 06; Sprint 5).
• Workshop co-facilitation (never solo).

Cannot deliver:

• Sole facilitation of menopause workshops (Sprint 2 / 03) — Coach level only.
• Sensitive disclosures cohorts (e.g. trauma-aware leadership) — Senior only.
• Account-level supervision of other coaches.

Pay band: Band A (set by Finance, not in this doc).

Coach

Bar: Associate + ≥4 in four domains incl. D2 and D3. ≥3 cohorts delivered as Associate with QA score ≥3.5/5. ≥1 group supervision per quarter attended for the last year.

Can deliver:

• Sole 1:1 coaching across all current strands.
• Sole facilitation of workshops up to 30 participants.
• Buddy-supervises new Associates' first 3 cohorts.

Cannot deliver:

• Sensitive disclosures cohorts (Senior only).
• Coach QA observations (Senior only).
• External assurance interviews on behalf of MEM (Head of Coaching only).

Pay band: Band B.

Senior Coach

Bar: Coach + ≥4 across all domains + ≥5 in two domains. Has run a CPD session for peers in the last 12 months. Has supervised ≥2 Associates through their first 3 cohorts.

Can deliver:

• Everything Coach can.
• Sensitive-disclosure cohorts (trauma-aware leadership, post-redundancy support, bereavement-touched teams).
• Coach QA observations (file 08).
• Group supervision facilitation.
• Assessment day co-assessing (file 04) after shadowing two days.

Pay band: Band C.

Movement up

• Reviewed at the half-year and year-end QA cycle.
• Initiated by either the coach or the Head of Coaching.
• Evidence pack: last 12 months QA scores, CPD log, supervision attendance, participant feedback (anonymised).
• Decision in writing within 4 weeks.

Movement down (or pause)

• Triggered automatically if QA score drops below 3.0 on any observation.
• Coach moves down a level until next QA cycle confirms restoration.
• A pause is not a punishment; it is how we protect participants while the coach gets support.
• See file 09 for the full pathway.

Eligibility matrix — which level can run which cohort type

Account Managers use this matrix together with the Sprint 3 / 02 matching rubric. Mismatch = the cohort doesn't start.