The refreshed ILM Coaching and Mentoring qualifications are live now. Centres can apply for approval immediately and begin delivery once approval has been confirmed.

Existing centres approved to deliver equivalent legacy qualifications can apply through the fast-track approval process. Details, approval forms and qualification resources can be accessed on the webpages for the new Level 3, Level 5 and Level 7 qualifications.

Approval is not automatic. Existing approved centres must complete the fast-track approval form available on the qualification landing page. Centres wishing to deliver a qualification at a level they are not currently approved for will need to complete the full qualification approval process. There are no costs associated with the fast-track approval process.

The minimum coaching practice requirements are:

• Level 3 Award in Coaching and Mentoring: 6 coaching hours
• Level 3 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring: 12 coaching hours
• Level 5 Certificate in Professional Coaching and Mentoring: 18 coaching hours
• Level 5 Diploma in Professional Coaching and Mentoring: 54 coaching hours
• Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring: 20 coaching hours
• Level 7 Diploma in Executive Coaching and Mentoring: 60 coaching hours

Centres should refer to the qualification handbooks for any additional coaching, mentoring or supervision requirements associated with specific units.

We strongly recommend all customers and delivery teams to thoroughly read the qualification handbooks, which set out all of the requirements. Supervision is woven throughout the qualifications, therefore a deep understanding of the qualifications and their requirements are essential.

In regard to supervision hours, the minimum requirements are:

• Level 3 Award in Coaching and Mentoring: 2 supervision hours
• Level 3 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring: 2 supervision hours
• Level 5 Certificate in Professional Coaching and Mentoring: 2 supervision hours
• Level 5 Diploma in Professional Coaching and Mentoring: 7 supervision hours
• Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring: 3 supervision hours
• Level 7 Diploma in Executive Coaching and Mentoring: 8 supervision hours

Requirements for tutors, assessors and Internal Quality Assurers are detailed within the Resource Requirements section of the qualification handbooks.

Individuals responsible for delivery, assessment and quality assurance should demonstrate:

• Relevant occupational competence.
• Appropriate coaching and mentoring knowledge and experience.
• Suitable assessment and quality assurance expertise where applicable.
• Qualifications and experience relevant to the level being delivered.

Centres should refer to the published handbook requirements when appointing tutors, assessors and IQAs.

No, there is no requirement for tutors, assessors or IQAs to hold EMCC accreditation. It is important to distinguish between qualification alignment to EMCC standards and individual EMCC practitioner accreditation as these are separate arrangements. Alternative professional qualifications and occupational experience may be acceptable where they meet the requirements specified within the qualification handbook.

Yes, AI and digital coaching have been embedded within the refreshed qualifications, reflecting developments in contemporary coaching and mentoring practice. Additional guidance is provided within the qualification handbooks relating to:

• Digital coaching practice
• Emerging technologies
• Appropriate use of generative AI
• Learner responsibilities when using AI-enabled tools

Learners may use AI to support learning and assessment preparation where appropriate, provided its use is declared and complies with the guidance contained within Appendix 1 of the qualification handbooks and the City & Guilds position statement on AI.

The qualifications have been mapped against EMCC standards as part of the redevelopment process. This helps ensure the qualifications reflect recognised coaching and mentoring practice and contemporary professional expectations.

Further information regarding professional body alignment and recognition will be shared in due course.

ILM and EMCC have worked in partnership for a number of years, reflecting a shared commitment to raising professional standards and supporting the development of high-quality coaching and mentoring practice.

The qualifications have been aligned to EMCC standards as part of the redevelopment process, helping to ensure they reflect recognised professional practice and current industry expectations.

As part of the partnership, ILM learners are also eligible for a 25% discount on EMCC Studying Membership, providing access to the EMCC professional community, resources, events and development opportunities.

It is important to note that alignment to EMCC standards and access to discounted membership does not automatically confer EMCC practitioner accreditation, which must be applied for separately through EMCC.

The qualifications are assessed through a portfolio of evidence. Learners are expected to demonstrate competence through workplace coaching and mentoring activities, supported by evidence such as:

• Observations
• Reflective accounts
• Professional discussions
• Presentations
• Written assignments
• Witness testimonies
• Audio and video recordings
• Coaching and mentoring records

The emphasis is on authentic workplace practice and the application of coaching and mentoring skills.

Portfolio evidence should primarily come from naturally occurring coaching and mentoring activities. Evidence must:

• Be valid, authentic and current.
• Be clearly labelled and mapped to assessment criteria.
• Be authenticated by the assessor.
• Demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

Evidence may include:

• Coaching plans
• Mentoring records
• Observation reports
• Reflective accounts
• Professional discussions
• Witness testimonies
• Presentations
• Audio and video recordings
• Coaching logs and records of practice

Centres must also complete the high-level evidence matrix provided within the handbook. The comments section should provide a clear audit trail showing how evidence meets the assessment criteria, where evidence can be located and how assessment and quality assurance decisions have been reached.

Audio and video recordings may be included as portfolio evidence and may also be requested by an EQA for sampling purposes.

Centres are encouraged to use standard file formats such as MP3 and MP4 and avoid unnecessarily large, high-resolution files, which can create challenges for uploading, sharing and quality assurance review.

Where recordings are used, centres must ensure:

• Appropriate learner and client consent have been obtained.
• Data protection and confidentiality requirements are met.
• Recordings are stored and shared securely.
• GDPR-compliant methods are used when transferring files.

Where recordings are required for sampling, ILM and the EQA will work with centres to agree a suitable and secure method of transfer.

A holistic assessment approach allows a single piece of evidence to be mapped against multiple assessment criteria, learning outcomes or units where appropriate. For example, a coaching observation, assignment or professional discussion may generate evidence that contributes to several assessment criteria. This approach reduces duplication, minimises assessment burden and helps learners build evidence more efficiently. Further examples are provided within the qualification handbooks.

Yes, centres can continue using their own templates and documentation, provided they meet qualification requirements and remain appropriately mapped to the assessment criteria. Any significant adaptations should be agreed with the External Quality Assurer (EQA).

The existing qualifications remain eligible for the current ILMA service arrangements.

A new ILMA offer is currently being developed for the refreshed qualifications and is expected to be available during winter 2026/27. Further details will be shared once arrangements have been finalised.

Yes, observations are mandatory. To ensure a learner has fully met the practical requirements to coach/mentor, it is essential that learner observations are conducted effectively.

An assessor observation form is included in the qualification handbook for assessors to document assessment decisions against the assessment criteria being covered.

Observations can be recorded or in person. The minimum requirement of assessors who can conduct observation of practice is a coaching and mentoring qualification at the level being assessed.

There is no prescribed sampling percentage for these qualifications. Internal quality assurance arrangements should be risk-based and aligned to the centre's established sampling strategy.

Centres should ensure that sampling activity provides sufficient confidence in assessment decisions and supports consistent application of standards across assessors and learner cohorts.

The final qualification handbooks can be accessed on the webpages for the new Level 3, Level 5 and Level 7 qualifications. The latest versions include:

• Assessment guidance
• Evidence matrices
• Evidence-mapping tools
• Assessment documentation
• Supporting templates
• AI guidance
• Resource requirements

Centres that downloaded early draft versions should revisit the qualification pages and download the latest published handbooks, which now contain the full guidance and template suite.

Yes, the handbooks currently available on the ILM website are the final published versions and include the latest assessment guidance, documentation and templates. Handbooks are periodically updated so it is important to regularly check for updates.

Yes, editable Word versions of the qualification handbooks and associated templates are available via the relevant qualification webpages. These resources are intended to support centres with delivery planning, assessment, evidence mapping and quality assurance activity.

Yes, the latest versions of the Level 5 and Level 7 handbooks contain the full suite of templates, guidance documents and evidence-mapping tools required to support delivery, assessment and quality assurance.

Yes, ILM is planning a dedicated Coaching & Mentoring Conference in early 2027. Further details will be shared in due course.

We also run Coaching & Mentoring and Leadership & Management Special Interest Groups, which you can register for on our events page.

The support already available for the new qualifications includes:

• Qualification handbooks (including editable versions)
• Assessment guidance
• Implementation guidance
• Evidence templates and mapping tools
• Technical Advisor support
• Customer support
• Webinars and centre engagement events

While there are no coaching qualification focus groups currently operating, centres are encouraged to participate in ILM Special Interest Groups for Coaching & Mentoring and Leadership & Management, which can be found on our events page.

These groups provide opportunities to:

• Share good practice.
• Discuss delivery and assessment challenges.
• Explore emerging trends.
• Contribute feedback that may inform future qualification development.

We have recently launched a Customer Advisory Board for Leadership, Management and Coaching. The board is a small, carefully selected senior group of people who will help us shape the future of ILM and the products and services we offer. If you would like to be considered for the board, please fill in our expression of interest form.

Yes, the existing coaching and mentoring qualifications remain available for learner registrations until 31 July 2027, with certification continuing until 31 July 2030. This provides centres with sufficient time to transition to the refreshed qualification suite.

There are currently no plans to revise or replace the Level 7 Coaching Supervision qualifications.

The qualification has been extended with registrations available until 31 December 2029 and certification available until 31 December 2032. This allows continued delivery while the wider coaching and mentoring portfolio continues to evolve.