Evaluation of Flying High, our trauma-informed coaching programme for domestic abuse survivors
The Flying High Programme is designed to provide trauma-informed coaching for women who have experienced domestic abuse. We ran our pilot in 2024, aiming to explore how coaching could support survivors in rebuilding their careers with confidence and self-determination. Now, with the pilot complete, we are excited to share the evaluation findings and the impact this programme has had on both participants and coaches.
Why Career Development Support for Domestic Abuse Survivors Matters
For many women who have experienced domestic abuse, re-entering the workforce or progressing in their careers can feel overwhelming. Challenges such as self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and workplace confidence issues often hold them back. Unlike therapy, which focuses on past experiences, coaching offers a future-focused approach, helping women take meaningful steps towards their career goals.
The Flying High Project is built on the principles of trauma-informed coaching, ensuring that participants felt safe, supported, and empowered throughout their journey. The aim was not to revisit traumatic experiences but to acknowledge them while focusing on professional growth and career aspirations.
What the Pilot Included
The programme offered:
Eight one-to-one online coaching sessions with a dedicated coach trained in trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive coaching practice.
One-to-one practical employability support, including CV development and job search guidance.
Supervision and training for coaches, ensuring they could deliver high-quality support tailored to survivors’ unique needs.
Key Findings from the Evaluation
An independent evaluation of the pilot highlighted overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants and coaches alike.
1. Life-Changing Impact for Participants
Women who took part in Flying High reported significant improvements in their confidence, career direction, and belief in their own abilities. Many participants achieved career milestones, including promotions, pay rises, and job changes.
One participant shared: "I thought I was broken beyond repair… but I came out of it with a renewed sense of confidence. I felt like me again."
The evaluation found that trauma-informed coaching helped participants feel understood without having to relive their trauma. Many valued the opportunity to focus on their careers in a safe and supportive environment.
2. Professional Development for Coaches
The Flying High coaches also benefited from the experience, developing a deeper understanding of coaching within a trauma-sensitive framework. Coaches reported:
Increased confidence in working with survivors of domestic abuse.
Greater appreciation for post-traumatic growth in career development.
A stronger sense of professional fulfilment and connection with the Choices coaching team.
One coach reflected: "It’s helped me as a coach not to be scared of trauma. I now recognise small wins and shifts in mindset that I wouldn’t have valued as much before."
3. Importance of Trauma-Informed Coaching
The evaluation reinforced that career development support for domestic abuse survivors must be approached with sensitivity and awareness of past trauma. Key takeaways included:
· Coaching works best when survivors feel safe and in control of their career decisions.
· A structured yet flexible approach allows survivors to engage at their own pace, ensuring they feel comfortable throughout the process.
· Coaches benefit from ongoing supervision and training to navigate the complexities of trauma-informed practice.
What’s Next?
The success of Flying High has shown that trauma-informed coaching is a powerful tool for career development among domestic abuse survivors. At Choices, we remain committed to developing more opportunities for women to access tailored career coaching that supports them in rebuilding their professional lives with confidence.
