Coaching Skills Foundation Programme
Build Practical Coaching Skills With Confidence
- Expert-Led & Open to All: No experience required to learn from industry leaders.
- Master Practical Techniques: Acquire essential techniques and understand change psychology.
- Grow Your Impact: Develop self-awareness to elevate others’ performance.
Certification
An Introduction to Coaching
Barefoot badge to showcase your new coaching skills.
Course Delivery
Online Sessions
6 x 4-hour sessions over 6 weeks via Zoom, led by expert Barefoot tutor.
Fees
£895 (Inc VAT)
VAT added for corporately funded places.
If you choose to go on to our full, ICF-accredited PG Cert in Coaching, completion of this programme will entitle you to a discount.
Who Will Benefit From This Course?
Whether you are looking to begin your coaching journey or simply want to improve the way you communicate and support others, this programme provides practical skills you can use immediately.
This programme is particularly valuable for:
Leaders and Managers who want to empower their teams through better conversations.
HR and People Professionals looking to introduce coaching skills into their organisations.
Learning and Development Professionals supporting growth and performance.
Mentors, Trainers and Facilitators who want to strengthen how they support others.
Aspiring Coaches who are curious about coaching and considering further training.
Professionals in people-focused roles who want to communicate more effectively.
Individuals interested in personal development and building stronger relationships.
Wherever you are in your career, if you want to listen more deeply, ask better questions and support others to think for themselves, coaching skills can make a powerful difference.
Now Enrolling
How The Course Works – Step By Step
Delivered online over 6 half-day Zoom sessions, the course includes live tutor-led teaching, coaching practice and regular feedback.
You’ll be guided through a carefully designed blend of coaching theory and practice, designed to give you what you need to start coaching with confidence.
On day one you will cover:
- What is Coaching?
- Core Coaching Beliefs
- Coaching Attitude
- Listening
On day two you will cover:
- Coaching Questions
- GROW Questioons
- Contracting
- Chemistry Sessions
- Perspectives on Coaching
On day three you will cover:
- Map of My Life
- Wheel of Anything
On day four you will cover:
- Belief formation
- Coaching tools
- Values
- Peak Experience
On day five you will cover:
- Emotional Bank Account
- People in my life
- Perceptual positions
On day six you will cover:
- No Stone Unturned
- Vision Chairs
- Metaphors
- Group celebration
Posted on Google Chris GoldsonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Barefoot more than lived up to its fantastic reputation when I experienced the course. My 5 months with them was one of the most significant and meaningful things I have done in my career of over 30 years. Solid and well planned content, exceptional tutors, and the chance to grow and learn alongside my wonderful cohort of fellow Barefooters. I've been able to bring valuable new skills to my business. Thank you!Posted on Google Carolyn DeveneyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I knew as soon as I found Barefoot that it was the organisation for me to train with. They share my values and ethos. They did not disappoint! The course was one of the most positive experiences of my life. The tutors, the integrity and care woven through like a golden thread, the approach, methods and thoroughness, amount of practice time, the cohort - all perfect. I left feeling well equipped to go out into the world to coach with a great range of tools and techniques under my belt, and a desire to develop more of my own. I have built lasting connections and relationships with some wonderful people. I enrolled on the post-grad certificate to further develop and fine tune my skills. I cannot recommend Barefoot enough. Thank you!Posted on Google Alison BTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have just found my ‘Barefoot Coaching’ coaching cards from 2012, they are so valuable even after 9 years!Posted on Google Duncan STrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An amazing 12 days with the Barefoot Team working on Personal and Business Coaching. The tutors are incredibly knowledgeable, the theory wide-ranging and the practical sessions varied and valuable. I'd recommend this course and the Barefoot Team to anyone.Posted on Google Sandra WhilesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I chose Barefoot to consolidate my training as a coach in 2016. Everyone I spoke to beforehand about coach training providers said that Barefoot was the only choice - and they were so right Great tutors and course materials. Brilliant challenge and support. Excellent venues. You are made to feel part of Barefoot from day one . Lots of folk have said it, but life changing is the only way I can describe my experiences with Barefoot.Posted on Google Andy FollowsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently completed the taught modules of the Postgraduate Certificate in Business and Personal Coaching with Barefoot. I wanted to be exposed to a broad range of coaching ideas, to have plenty of time to practice coaching and receive feedback and to meet like minded people who shared my passion. I was not disappointed. I loved every minute of the modules and was sad when the programme finally came to an end. Our cohort has been amazing and we continue to engage with each other via webinars and get togethers organised by ourselves. At no point in the process did I have any feeling that Barefoot was interested in selling places on this or other programmes. It was all about getting a good fit between you as a coach and their offerings. Great people. Very professionally run. Great materials. A good range of tutors from different backgrounds. All delivered with wonderful warmth and passion. Can't recommend highly enough.Posted on Google Emma KearinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What an amazing program, it has changed my life, I didn't know what I was going to use the training for or how it would change things for me or the people around me. It has proved the best decision yet 😁Posted on Google Teresa RobertsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I trained with Barefoot Coaching and can highly recommend the course. The breadth of learning and approaches, together with the great tutors and a very supportive cohort of students allowed me to challenge my existing thinking and develop as a coach in a way that was authentic to me. Completing the essays for Chester University also offered the opportunity to underpin the experiential learning with some academic rigor. The Barefoot team are all warm, friendly people and a pleasure to be around.Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Upcoming Programmes
Choose from our upcoming training programmes
September 2026
Course Begins
Wednesday, 30th September
Final Taught Session
11th November 2026
View Programme Schedule
June 2026 Programme Schedule
| Session 1 | Tuesday 2nd June |
| Session 2 | Tuesday 9th June |
| Session 3 | Tuesday 16th June |
| Session 4 | Tuesday 23rd June |
| Session 5 | Tuesday 30th June |
| Session 6 | Tuesday 7th July |
September 2026 Programme Schedule
| Session 1 | Wednesday 30th Sept |
| Session 2 | Wednesday 7th October |
| Session 3 | Wednesday 14th October |
| Session 4 | Wednesday 28th October |
| Session 5 | Wednesday 4th November |
| Session 6 | Wednesday 11th November |
What Makes Barefoot Different
Whether you’re looking to launch a coaching career, enhance your leadership skills or simply grow personally, Barefoot’s ICF-accredited training gives you the flexibility, credentials and support to make it happen.
Lasting Impact
Experience personal and professional growth that stays with you far beyond the programme.
Practical Skills & Confidence
Build real coaching skills through practice and feedback — and learn how to use them with confidence. All underpinned by an eclectic mix of theories and concepts.
Personalised & Caring Approach
Learn in a supportive, high-quality environment with experienced tutors. We’re big enough to support our reputation, and small enough to care about each individual person who chooses us.
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers
This programme is for anyone who wants to develop practical coaching skills to improve the quality of their everyday conversations — at work and in life.
Coaching skills help people listen more deeply, ask better questions, and support others to think for themselves rather than simply giving advice. Because of this, they are valuable in a wide range of roles and situations.
This programme may be particularly useful for:
- Workplace roles
- Leaders and managers
- Team leaders and supervisors
- HR and People professionals
- Learning and Development specialists
- Talent and organisational development professionals
- Internal coaches and mentors
- Consultants and facilitators
- Project managers
- Client-facing professionals
- Customer success or relationship managers
- Educators and trainers
- People who support or develop others
- Mentors
- Teachers and lecturers
- Healthcare professionals
- Charity and community leaders
- Volunteers working with people
- Personal development
- Parents and caregivers
- Individuals interested in personal growth
- People who want to improve their communication and relationships
- Anyone curious about coaching as a potential career path
In short, if your role involves supporting, guiding or influencing others, coaching skills can make a powerful difference.
Barefoot Coaching has led the way in coach training for over 30 years. With a global reputation, expert tutors and a strong, supportive alumni community, we deliver learning that’s practical, rigorous and deeply human. We’re proud to be rated Excellent on Trustpilot. Read our reviews here.
By the end of the programme, you will have developed a set of practical coaching skills that you can immediately apply in your conversations with colleagues, clients, friends and family.
You will:
Learn how to listen more deeply
Develop the ability to truly hear what people are saying, and what they may not yet have fully expressed.
Ask powerful, thought-provoking questions
Move beyond advice-giving and help others think more clearly and find their own solutions.
Build trust and stronger relationships
Create conversations where people feel heard, respected and supported.
Support others to take ownership and responsibility
Empower people to develop their own insights, confidence and next steps.
Improve the quality of everyday conversations
Whether in meetings, one-to-ones, feedback discussions or personal conversations.
Develop greater self-awareness
Reflect on your own communication style and how you show up in conversations with others.
Most importantly, you will gain a practical, human set of skills that improve how you communicate, lead and support others, both professionally and personally.
- Personal rate: £895 (incl. VAT)
- Company rate: £895 (plus VAT)
We believe that learning should be impactful, efficient, and fit into busy lives. That’s why our programme is delivered in focused, four-hour virtual sessions – maximising your time and energy and making space for other parts of your life!
We're here to help & answer any questions
Let's Talk! Call 01332 863641
Ready for more than an introduction to coaching?
This free taster session is designed for anyone considering our ICF Accredited Coach Training Programme. You’ll meet a course tutor, experience our approach and get answers to all your questions – no pressure, just insight.