We’re incredibly proud of our ongoing relationship with all our clients and it’s been lovely to receive so many referrals, recommendations and positive feedback over the years.

Spanning a range of areas our clients come from healthcare, housing and local government organisations as well as education and the voluntary and community sector.  We also have clients from the corporate and digital sectors.

We support teams and organisations as they evolve and develop and we’re committed to making a difference through the work we do, whether it is linked to leadership, management, coaching, mentoring, action learning, supervision or organisational development.

• Aberdeen City Council
• Barnardo’s
• Cleveland Police Force
• Department of Health and Social Care
• Durham County Council
• Gateshead Primary Care Network
• Gateshead Council
• HC One
• Home Group
• Homes England
• Health Education England
• HEE Primary and Integrate Care Training Hubs
• Karbon Housing
• Muckle LLP
• NCFE
• Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Newcastle Building Society
• Newcastle University Students’ Union
• North East Ambulance Service
• North East Autism Society
• North Tyneside Schools
• Northumberland County Council
• Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Northumbria Police
• Northumbria Primary Care Limited
• Northumbria University

We pride ourselves on the work we do with leaders and managers across the range of organisations and sectors. This page is a brief celebration every month of something we feel is worth shouting out about!

Cath Brown Consultancy works with organisations from a variety of sectors, including NHS, health, charities, training providers, higher education and vocational development institutes. 

Organisations need to evolve and develop continuously in response to the changing economic, business and political landscape.  Organisational development solutions need a clear understanding of an organisation’s culture, people, needs and challenges.  We will work with you to deliver a tailored solution whatever challenges your organisation faces.

We design, delivery and evaluate f a variety of leadership, management, staff development and coaching training and development interventions to support individuals, teams and organisations to develop.

The following are examples of projects carried out within different organisations:

• Design and develop a robust Competency Behaviour Framework through consultation to enable effective recruitment and selection and performance management processes within a housing organisation
• Develop Values and Behaviours Framework for all staff for an international Tech Company.  Deliver underpinning Leadership Training to embed behaviours using blended learning approach.
• Provision of strategic Coaching & Supervision for various NHS Foundation Trust Hospitals (internal coach training, supervision, continuing professional development, senior managers and medic’s training) to support organisational development and change.
• Design and delivery of Change Management programmes within Housing and NHS Trusts and Special Health authorities.
 
• Design and delivery of Manager as Coach sessions to change the culture of organisations improving performance and productivity through increased awareness and responsibility of individuals and teams in housing and education sectors.
• Design and delivery of Resilience sessions across the NHS and Housing to enable individuals to build resilience in themselves and others
• Recovery Coaching, Mediation / Family Mediation and Motivational Interview training delivered within practitioners from mental health and third sector organisations

Cath Brown has provided educational support to the Trust since 2008.

Leadership and Management

Cath was originally approached to provide support with the implementation of the Management Foundation Programme which was underpinned by the ILM (Institute in Leadership and Management ) Level 3, Leadership and Management framework. 

The Trust were already an accredited centre however following changes to the QCF there were a wider variety of options available.  Cath’s support has enable the function to have an external view point which has allowed the team to make changes and move facilitation and programmes forward to meet the needs of the organisation.

Cath has continued to provide support to the programme which has ensured standardisation of practice, assessment and verification support and identifying ways to improve the programme.

Coaching

Staff Development included a half day programme following successful pilot sessions.  The feedback has been excellent:

‘I could not believe how much I learned.  Excellent training course’.

‘All managers should have this training.  The structured approach to dealing with problems or development of staff was excellent’.

Trainer Input/Presentation 100% positive evaluation

Feedback from learners is that they are taking positive steps to embed the ideas and principles learned into every day working life, ie appraisals, team meetings, staff communications.  A number of directorates have requested further sessions so that all managers in the department can receive the ½ day training programme.

Train the Trainers

Commissioned to meet the needs of clinical staff who are required to provide educational support.  The programme was received extremely well even though the staff may have not put themselves forward to attend.

‘The recent Training for Trainers course delivered by Cath Brown for staff in Genetics was very successful indeed.

It has had a significant beneficial effect in terms of morale and engagement with training for the participants, and has led to many positive changes in our training processes.

The course was wholly generic and would be suitable to many departments within the Trust.  I would be very pleased to see a situation where such a course was a regular event within the Trust and we were able to send a small number of staff annually’ - Feedback from Manager requesting the programme

Cath’s ongoing support is enabling Staff Development to develop it’s portfolio of resources to enable managers to develop their capability and capacity to meet the needs of the business.

NHS (Special Health Authority)

• Management of national project to improve organisational effectiveness. Led research-based national review and programme of implementation for organisation-wide appraisal system.
• Design and delivery of all HR policy-related courses and management skills courses, including recruitment and selection, induction, appraisal, managing attendance, performance management and communication.
• Training Assessor and Lead Assessor for recruitment and development Assessment Centres.  Administering and interpreting Level A and Level B psychometric tools and assessments.
• Led organisational development in large north-west division, following restructure. Devised plans, led implementation and ensured effective evaluation.
• Design, delivery and implementation of organisation-wide coaching and mentoring qualification framework for senior management, with executive coaching service.

Interim Manager (Private Training Provider)

Interim Manager for private business school across four UK cities (Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester) providing and managing all aspects of CIPD Level 3 qualifications.  Design, development and management of all CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) certificate programmes in personnel practice (CPP) and training practice (CTP) to established professional standards.  Manage and allocate resources and freelance tutors across a multi-site centre.

North-east Housing Provider

Provision of mentoring service to organisational development advisor tasked with appraisal process review.  Structured mentoring and support to enable review and recommendations to follow process and project guidelines.

On Line University

Provision of design, development and delivery of various modules of Foundation Degree in Business and Management with University of Essex accreditation. Modules designed and delivered included Human Resources, Leadership and Teams, Business and Management Skills and Work-Based Learning. 

Led project to accredit Foundation Degree as a dual qualification programme with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 4 and 5 qualifications in management.  This included the project lead, high-level mapping and design, and delivery of revised material in order to satisfy both awarding bodies.  Currently leading the roll out of redesigned modules and pilot of dual accreditation.

Charitable Organisation

Delivery of ILM Level 5 qualifications in Coaching and Mentoring

Development and delivery of six-month Team Coaching intervention and business planning session to regional division of a national charitable organisation working with children, vulnerable adults and young people.

Additional Projects

Owner of private ILM training centre delivering a range of qualifications in leadership, management and coaching.

Design and delivery of coaching, management, training and change-management programmes within Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospital NHS Trust.

Associate management training and development consultant for north-east private training providers (Drummond, McKechnies, Keith Bell Associates), delivering leadership, management and coaching interventions to Barnardos, Tyne and Wear Fire Service and South Tyneside Homes.

ILM Consultant with clients from public, private and charitable sectors. 
Working in partnership to deliver ILM qualifications, primarily Level 5 and 7 coaching and mentoring.

Provision of a coaching consultancy service for Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust Hospital (supervision, continuing professional development, senior managers and medic’s training) to support organisational development and change.

Situation

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is a major employer in north-east England, employing more than 3,000 people.  It provides a full range of local acute services for elective and emergency care, including in-patient, outpatient, day case and day care. The Trust also provides sub-regional breast screening services, and is the north-eastern hub for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.

Training/coaching/consulting needs

Among the Trust’s strategic future goals is running first-class hospitals, making the best use of public money – and being the best possible employer.

As Mary Darroch (OD and Staff Development Manager) explains, this means ongoing investment in staff. “We’re committed to employee development, both in their existing roles and for their future careers.  This includes developing a coaching culture in the organisation, which supports staff coaching, training and assistance in attaining relevant qualifications.”

Mary secured three-year funding to engage external support for the coaching and training programme – especially for training managers in generic coaching skills and to put a number of internal practitioners through their coaching qualifications.

Challenges

As Mary says, choosing the right provider was critical. “Ideally, we needed someone who knew the NHS’ unique culture and ways of working, understood unique challenges on time and resources, and who could also work effectively across all employee and management levels – no small order!”

The main challenges included:

• implementing appropriate training/coaching across a broad employee base;
• maintaining professional credibility across a wide age range and from the most junior staff member to senior consultants; and
• getting people through the qualification with sufficient coaching, with consideration of work pressures

Solution

Asked about appointing Cath as the external provider, Mary says: “Cath had done similar work in the past, with the Business Services Authority. We had attended her sessions there, and participated in the training, so we could see what she was like as a trainer, and we were very impressed. We also thought her extensive background meant she would fit in well with our organisation.”

Mary adds that Cath’s professional approach, relevant background and reasonable rates also deterred her from seriously considering other externals. She adds: “And I haven’t been disappointed!”

Results

Mary has seen multiple benefits to the Trust following Cath’s appointment. “One immediate benefit was Cath’s inside knowledge of the NHS and how it works, “ she says. “It makes a big difference, as there’s no need to explain the culture and what is and is not practical. Cath also links into other NHS initiatives, which another external might not understand.”

The programme now offers various training levels, including a two-day ‘fast track’ for senior managers and medical staff.

“Cath is fairly young, and I was initially slightly concerned about her credibility with more senior managers – but it simply hasn’t been an issue, “ comments Mary. “The feedback has been excellent. Cath has assisted with setting up training for coaching practitioners and for managers in generic coaching skills. We’ve also set up a coaching practitioners network with Cath’s help to support the people who are going through the qualifications or have a keen interest in coaching.”

The project has undergone various adjustments and re-thinks to fit practitioner’s complex needs. “Cath has coped well with the organisational challenge – we talked it through, and she came up with ideas that we could take and develop.”

The Coaching Skills for Managers programme, with a flexible approach, has been the most successful. Mary explains, “We’ve developed a coaching approach to leadership. This means rather than telling people what to do, helping them to think for themselves and thereby promoting greater autonomy at lower levels. Managers can see the benefits, and feel they are getting the best out of people.  It’s an excellent alternative to people taking time out for training. The new coaching skills are more enduring, and give managers and leaders that necessary edge.”

Mary also appreciates Cath’s ability to share knowledge and information.  “I’ve used Cath as a sounding board a lot – which she’s very good at!” she says. “She provides more headspace – being on the outside looking in – she can see the wood and the trees. That’s incredibly useful.”

“She’s also a good catalyst for me,” adds Mary. “I’ve got so many plates in the air, and Cath’s good at giving me the odd necessary nudge. She keeps thing moving as she’s very dynamic in her approach.”

Future plans include developing coaching amongst medical staff.
“As consultants become more involved in delivering the organisation’s priorities, coaching is a useful approach for them to use with doctors,” says Mary. She adds that there have already been four or five consultants on programme. Coaching will also be used for effective induction of new consultant staff in the Trust.

Mary concludes: “We’re growing and developing coaching in different ways that add value to the Trust. Cath and I work together in partnership to find ways to do just that!”

Indeed, in a recent national NHS Staff Survey, 70% of respondents would recommend the organisation as a good place to work – making the Trust one of the highest ranking acute trusts in the UK.

Cath Brown worked with the NHS for over 13 years in operations, quality and human resources directorates, most recently leading the management development, coaching and accredited ILM qualification provision in a large NHS Special Health Authority. For more than four years, she has also worked as an independent management development and coaching consultant.

Cath is also an External Verifier and Quality Consultant for the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). She completed her Masters in Human Resource Management, specialising in performance management and job satisfaction.

Approach

Cath works in partnership with private, public and charitable organisations on leadership, coaching, management and development interventions. She specialises in training and development, delivery of courses to improve skills and behaviour, project management, performance management, personality profiling and feedback, and assessment centre support.

Focus

Cath enables organisations to embed effective performance management and coaching practice. She delivers highly participatory interventions, using in-depth knowledge of an organisation’s culture, people, needs and challenges.

Qualifications

• Masters in Human Resource Management (CIPD)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (CIPD)
• Level 5 Diploma in Management Coaching and Mentoring (ILM)
• Level 7 Diploma in Leadership Mentoring and Executive Coaching (ILM)
• Psychometric (Level A) and Occupational Personality (Level B) testing accreditation

This section is under development but exciting resources for coaching, training and facilitation will be available soon.

In the interim please find a link to some excellent ILM Research Resources.

Coaching offers individuals, teams and organisations focused and purposeful space for reflection, learning and making commitment to change.

What might you focus on?

Coaching is a space for you to think about your challenges and successes, your leadership approach, your career or relationships at work.  It can offer a place for you to focus on goals, your wellbeing and resilience, your self-development and growth.

Our clients bring a wide range of issues to coaching such as exploring career aspirations, enabling transition, developing effective leadership/management skills, growing confidence, building teams, exploring strategic challenges, collaborating effectively with others, building effective relationships,  workload management, and building resilience,

An individual’s experience of coaching differs depending on what they bring and what they want to work on. It could:

• Develop your goals and sense of direction and purpose,
• Improve your self-confidence
• Help you build better relationships
• Bring you a new perspective
• Help you to work on your own solutions
• Sharpen your focus
• Unlock your creativity
• Help you become ‘unstuck’, to overcome barriers

Supervision provides a formal and protected reflective space. It allows a coach, mentor or facilitator to confidentially and collaboratively explore the tasks, processes and challenges of their work/caseload, to grow in their capacity and to support their practice. Supervision can also be a source of organisational learning.

We offer supervision for coaches, mentors, facilitators and action learning facilitators providing three broad functions:

What types of supervision do we offer?

• Individual supervision:
  a single supervisor providing supervision for one coach/mentor/facilitator.
• Peer/pairs supervision:
  a single supervisor providing supervision for two coaches/mentors/facilitators.
• Group supervision:
  refers to the process where sets coaches/mentors/facilitators work together to improve their individual and collaborative practice.

A particular area of specialism here at CBC is the provision of coaching supervision, via CPD sessions, to coaches who are part of internal coaching frameworks within their organisation.

We work with our clients to design and deliver programmes to meet the needs of their organisation and their people.

What kind of facilitation and training do we offer?

All of our facilitators are qualified coaches and experienced professionals with significant experience in the areas of both leadership and management, and coaching and mentoring.

We will provide you with a delivery team according to your needs.

How do we contract?

We can offer delivery across timeframes to suit your needs and budget. We price according to session (two hours), half day (three hours) full day (seven hours including breaks), and according to the volume of participants. We are able to offer both in person and virtual sessions.

Accredited ILM programmes

We offer accredited, certificated programmes which we run through our ILM centre.

Our successful and applauded Institute of Leadership & Management centre has been running since 2006, In this time we have supported hundreds of clients to successfully achieve qualifications, facilitating their own personal development and their organisations goals.    

Why our ILM centre?

Our ILM centre has a great reputation and we provide high levels of support leading to strong retention and completion rates.  Our External Verifier provides regular feedback and praise relating to the occupational competency of the delivery team, detailed and specific feedback to students and depth of support provided to students from enrolment to successful attainment.

All programmes we offer are tailored in line with your organisation’s requirements through partnership working, selecting units of study and assessments which fit both the needs of the business and the individual development requirements of personnel.

What is our ILM offer?

We offer qualifications in the areas Coaching and Mentoring and Leadership and Management. Each of our facilitators is a highly qualified and experienced professional, with a strong background in both coaching and mentoring and leadership and management.

We offer: