ILM Level 5 Certificate
in Coaching & Mentoring
Drive positive change, strengthen teams, and foster innovation within health, social care, and community organisations
Gain accredited coaching skills, practical experience, and neuroscience-informed techniques to empower your team and advance your career in today’s complex, high-pressure environments.
Format
Online or in person
Commitment
6-12 months, including 5 training days, coaching practice and reflective assignments
Date
Feb & Oct
Price
£2172 (£1,810 + VAT)
including ILM registration, assessment and all course materials
Develop others with confidence
Who Is This Course For?
This course is for supervisors, managers, team leaders, and HR or learning and development professionals responsible for developing others. It suits those seeking accreditation as coaches or mentors, either within their organisation or independently. It’s also ideal for anyone wanting to build resilient teams and learn methods to promote psychological safety and workplace innovation.
Entry requirements
No previous coaching experience is needed. To support your learning, you’ll need access to coachees for practice hours – for example, via a voluntary role or through your workplace. The course is open to all experience levels, from support workers to directors, and many learners are leaders, clinicians, educators, or coaches in training.
Why ILM Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring with ADS?
Accredited & recognised
Gain a nationally recognised ILM Level 5 Certificate in Coaching & Mentoring.
Public sector fluent facilitation
Designed and delivered by experienced executive coaches with deep NHS/public‑sector backgrounds who understand today’s pressures and culture.
Supportive, interactive learning environment
Experience a safe and encouraging space where participants can actively engage, share ideas, and practise coaching skills.
Neuroscience Informed
Practical, neuroscience-informed approach tailored to your real-world challenges.
We also offer ongoing support for new and existing coaches through supervision and coaching-specific CPD, tailored to the needs of your organisation.
What you’ll learn (curriculum at a glance)
Five taught days (tutor‑led online) plus a period of study and coached practice to build your portfolio. (In‑person delivery available for group/organisation bookings).
- Core coaching & mentoring fundamentals including contracting, ethics and confidentiality
- Coaching models & frameworks (e.g., GROW) and how to choose what fits the moment
- Reflective practice & supervision to build safe, ethical, accountable coaching
- Applied neuroscience for clearer thinking and better decisions under pressure
- Individual and team coaching skills you can use in complex services
- Leading and coaching in BANI/VUCA environments to support resilience and psychological safety
Cohort Size: 6–14 participants to maximise practice and supervision.
How it works
- Live, interactive workshops with expert tutors
(online by default; on‑site available for groups). - Guided coaching practice with peers and in the workplace,
with tutor supervision records for your portfolio. - Learning materials, worksheets and templates provided
to support application on the job.
Assessment & hours
To achieve the qualification, you will complete an ILM‑aligned portfolio that evidences your learning and practice, including documented coaching hours and supervision. ILM Level 5 programmes typically require around 18 hours of coaching practice, supported by tutor supervision records.
What you’ll gain
- A nationally recognised coaching qualification
- Core coaching and mentoring skills, including live practice and supervision
- Neuroscience-informed approaches for effective coaching
- Practical tools to address burnout, complexity, and team development
- Immediate impact on your development skills and building positive team culture
Have questions or ready to register?
Book a callback with our team at a time that is convenient for you.
Your tutors
Dave Palfreyman
Head of Coaching & Applied Neuroscience
Dave is an accomplished and qualified coach and coaching supervision lead, bringing over 30 years of operational and strategic experience within the NHS. Utilizing neuroscience-informed methods, Dave coaches senior professionals to enhance clarity of thought, perform effectively under pressure, and manage complex decision-making scenarios. He is also a member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.
Amanda Newman
Facilitator & Coach
Amanda is a registered mental health nurse, qualified coach and trainer with extensive senior leadership experience in the NHS, including leading large teams (>200 heads) and budgets. She brings a rich, lived-experience approach to her work, drawing on leadership practice, service transformation, transactional analysis, systemic thinking, group dynamics, and neuroscience to deliver highly engaging and practical learning experiences.
Frequently asked questions
Is Level 5 enough if I want to coach senior leaders?
Yes – Level 5 equips you with the core coaching capability to work across roles. Level 7 typically adds more academic depth and significantly more practice hours and is often labelled “executive coaching,” but the underlying skills are consistent.
Is the course online or face‑to‑face?
Default delivery is live online to maximise access and interaction; we can deliver in person for group bookings.
How big are the cohorts?
We keep groups to around 6–14 to ensure quality practice and supervision.
What if I’ve never coached before?
No problem – there’s no prior coaching experience required; you’ll get structured practice and feedback, as long as you can access coachees.