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OPINION: SUPERVISION – AOCS: OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

by | Jul 2, 2024 | Articles, Opinion, Supervision

OPINION: SUPERVISION – AOCS: OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

In the last issue (May/June), you may have read the sad announcement from the Association of Coaching Supervisors (AOCS) board that AOCS had closed with almost immediate effect. Here, the board of AOCS and other members take the opportunity to reflect on AOCS’ contribution to the supervision and wider coaching community and consider how others may take forward the learning, skills and passion for coaching supervision to other professional bodies, networks and communities.

 

The history of AOCS 

“AOCS was established more than 10 years ago by founder members when they realised there was no membership body supporting the work of coaching supervisors. The concept of coaching supervision was not mainstream in the coaching world (in many ways coaching itself was still emergent) and there was a lack of peer networks. By 2019, there were around 180 members and an international presence with articles in Coaching at Work and connections with a number of conferences. In 2021, there was a need to formalise the legal structure of AOCS and existing board members were ready to stand down. We went through the legal processes to incorporate AOCS as a company limited by guarantee as required by our bankers and other service providers. Lead roles were created to broaden the burden on volunteers and to increase AOCS’ reach.”

Governance lead and treasurer, Jenny Brown

 

What did AOCS set out to do? 

“AOCS was set up to help in the promotion of coaching supervision to buyers and to associations and training organisations. AOCS has supported its members with self-marketing, enabling them to reach their audience. It set out to make specific, focused contributions to members’ ongoing learning and development as coaching supervisors when other bodies were focused only on coaching. We sought to engage our members in an active community that communicated widely with coaches about the value of supervision, and supported each other in developing coaching supervision in all regions, bringing the cultural learning into provocative conversations about the purpose and place of our profession.”

Co-chair, Lorenza Clifford

 

“AOCS created a unique, safe, nurturing space for coaching supervisors to collaborate, share best practice, build and share resources, and promote their services. Well known globally as a respected organisation for supervision and for supervisors to hone their skills, standards and be fit for purpose. In a changing world, AOCS has been a reliable source of supervisory inspiration and support for coaches worldwide.”

Founder and recent past board member of AOCS, Jackie Arnold

 

How has the profession changed and what impact has that had on coaches and coaching? 

“AOCS has played an important role in educating and role modelling the benefits of supervision over the years but it has also given a sense of purpose and sense of belonging. In the early years AOCS was often a solo voice, courageous in holding uncommon discussions among the curious and wary. Blazing the trail for what quality supervision can offer. Over the years others have joined in and the coaching sector has moved to appreciate the discomfort and relief that supervision can offer.”

AOCS board member and long-term member, Peter Fennah

 

What did AOCS achieve? 

“AOCS has been one of the great founders of creating a strong and caring community for professional coaching supervisors across the globe to come together to connect, reflect, challenge and develop ideas and deepen their understanding of themselves and the ‘work’. Enormous gratitude to the people who made AOCS come to life – whose legacy will continue to reverberate in the profession of coaching and supervision.”

Board director and a long-term member of AOCS, Jeanine Bailey

 

Why did supervisors join AOCS and what did they enjoy in participation? 

“I joined AOCS as I wanted to feel part of a community of like-minds which was independent of the professional accreditation bodies – simply members coming together to be together. I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to launch and run the AOCS Co-Supervision Space alongside Yvette Elcock for two years – I met some fabulous supervisors all committed to developing their supervision repertoire ethically, ie, we practised on each other rather than our clients! In participating actively, we shared the joy of supervision.”

Co-supervision co-lead, Michelle Lucas

 

What next?

Decision making for coaching supervisors about what networks to join now is a relational process of being attracted, clarifying contracts, exploring and weighing up, that each member will need to do for themselves. 

The spaces in the box (below) are signposted as flourishing communities of coaching supervisors where the objects of AOCS can continue. There may be new ones developing too and this is not an exhaustive list. Please share with each other, additional opportunities. 

 

A final thought

“What mattered about AOCS will still matter and what mattered about our relationships between members will still matter. What difference it makes for tomorrow is now with each of you who read this today, and the investment in good practice you make, in whichever organisations you decide you belong in, through your relationships and through each conversation.

Co-chair, Jo Searle

 

We wish you well in your continuation. 

The AoCS’ LinkedIn group, which has more than 880 members, is expected to continue under the name: Coach Supervisors’ Community

 

Coaching supervision communities

Coaching supervision communities can be found at: