Coaching Ethics and Professional Conduct Policy
At CHI Life-Coaching, the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct are strictly aligned with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics. All coaching practices are guided by principles that ensure a safe, respectful, and transparent coaching environment.
Ethical Communication and Professional Integrity
Honest and respectful communication is always maintained, fostering a supportive and constructive coaching experience.
Confidentiality is upheld, ensuring that all personal information shared during coaching sessions is handled with the utmost discretion and protection, following ethical and legal standards.
Client Relationship Boundaries
Clear boundaries are established and maintained in all client relationships, preserving professionalism and ethical integrity throughout the coaching engagement.
Romantic or sexual involvement with clients or sponsors is strictly prohibited, safeguarding the coaching relationship from conflicts of interest or ethical breaches.
Transparency in Qualifications and Scope of Practice.
Full transparency regarding coaching qualifications, training, and scope of practice is maintained to ensure clients receive informed and ethical guidance.
The limitations of coaching as a profession are communicated, with referrals provided when additional professional support-such as therapy or specialised consultation-is required beyond the coaching scope.
Commitment to Continuous Ethical Development
Ethical standards and professional competencies are continuously reviewed and strengthened through ongoing education and self-improvement.
Feedback from clients and peers is welcomed to ensure continuous growth and the upholding of ethical excellence in all coaching engagements.
Confidentiality Policy
At CHI Life-Coaching, client confidentiality is upheld as a fundamental principle of professional coaching. All personal information shared within coaching sessions remains strictly confidential, fostering a safe and trustworthy coaching environment. Confidentiality is breached only under specific legal or ethical obligations, as outlined below.
Confidentiality Standards and Exceptions
All information disclosed by clients is treated with the highest level of discretion, ensuring privacy is protected at all times.
Disclosure of client information occurs only under the following circumstances:
Written consent provided by the client to authorise disclosure.
Legal obligations, including cases where there is a risk of serious harm to self or others or involvement in criminal activity.
Anonymous discussions in supervision settings for professional development, ensuring no identifiable details are shared.
Data Storage and Security Measures
All client records are stored securely and handled in strict compliance with UK GDPR and best practices in data protection.
Electronic records are password-protected and safeguarded through secure digital storage systems.
Physical documents are kept in locked storage, ensuring protection against unauthorized access.
Client files are permanently deleted upon request or after a reasonable
retention period, in alignment with data protection laws.
Commitment to Ethical Confidentiality Practices
Confidentiality protocols are regularly reviewed and updated to remain compliant with evolving data protection regulations and ethical coaching standards.
Ongoing education in confidentiality practices is undertaken to uphold trust and integrity in all client relationships.
Transparency regarding confidentiality policies is maintained, ensuring clients are fully informed of their rights and protections.
Coaching Agreement Policy
At CHI Life-Coaching, a clear and structured understanding of the coaching relationship, roles, responsibilities, and expectations is established before the commencement of any coaching services. A formal written agreement is created to define the foundation of collaboration between the coach and the client, ensuring transparency and mutual accountability.
Nature and Scope of Coaching
The specific nature and scope of coaching services provided are outlined, ensuring clients receive informed guidance tailored to their individual goals.
Coaching is recognised as a developmental partnership and is not a substitute for therapy, counselling, or other medical or psychological services.
Confidentiality Terms and Boundaries
The highest standards of confidentiality are maintained, safeguarding all personal and sensitive information shared within coaching sessions.
Clear boundaries regarding confidentiality are established, including situations where legal or ethical obligations require disclosure.
Session Logistics
The frequency, length, and mode of coaching sessions-whether conducted in person, virtually, or through alternative means-are specified.
Adjustments to session scheduling and format may be accommodated upon mutual agreement.
Fees, Invoicing, and Cancellation Policies
Transparent communication regarding coaching fees, invoicing procedures, and payment terms is ensured.
Policies regarding cancellations, rescheduling, and refunds are explicitly outlined to maintain fairness and accountability.
Right to Terminate the Coaching Relationship
The right of either party to terminate the coaching relationship is upheld, allowing for adjustments based on evolving needs or unforeseen circumstances.
If termination occurs, an ethical and professional transition process is followed to support the client’s ongoing development.
Conflict of Interest Policy
At CHI Life-Coaching, the highest ethical standards are upheld in identifying, managing, and addressing any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in the coaching relationship. Steps are taken to ensure that neutrality, objectivity, and professional integrity remain uncompromised throughout the coaching process.
Identification and Management of Conflicts
A proactive approach is taken to recognise and manage conflicts of interest before they affect the coaching dynamic.
Situations where impartiality may be compromised are carefully assessed to ensure the coaching relationship remains ethical and constructive.
Commitment to Neutrality and Professional Integrity
Efforts are made to maintain neutrality in all coaching engagements, allowing for unbiased and objective support tailored to the client’s best interests.
If neutrality cannot be preserved, transparent discussions take place to explore alternative solutions that uphold ethical coaching standards.
Referral to Another Qualified Coach
When necessary, clients are referred to another qualified coach to protect the integrity of the coaching process.
Referral decisions are made with the client’s best interests in mind, ensuring a smooth transition that supports their continued personal and professional development.
Ongoing Ethical Review and Accountability
Ethical best practices regarding conflicts of interest are continuously reviewed and refined to maintain alignment with professional coaching standards.
Open dialogue is encouraged, allowing clients and coaches to address concerns related to potential conflicts with honesty and transparency.
Client Rights and Responsibilities Policy
At CHI Life-Coaching, clients are entitled to a coaching experience that is respectful, fair, and supportive. A commitment is made to honouring client rights while encouraging active engagement in personal development.
Client Rights
All clients are treated with respect, dignity, and fairness, ensuring a safe and supportive coaching environment.
The right to end the coaching relationship at any time is upheld, provided such decisions align with the terms outlined in the coaching agreement.
A referral to another qualified coach or professional may be requested if coaching is no longer deemed suitable for the client’s needs.
Client Responsibilities
Punctuality and full presence in coaching sessions are encouraged to maximize the effectiveness of the coaching experience.
Honesty and openness in communication are expected, fostering meaningful conversations and actionable insights.
Active engagement in the personal development process is essential to achieving transformative progress.
Cancellation and Rescheduling
A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is requested for session cancellations or rescheduling, ensuring respectful time management for both the client and coach.
Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice may result in the session being counted as used or billed.
In cases of emergencies, reasonable exceptions may be considered to accommodate unforeseen circumstances.
Frequent cancellations may prompt a review of the coaching agreement and schedule, allowing adjustments that support continuity in the coaching process.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy
At CHI Life-Coaching, an unwavering commitment is upheld to maintaining an inclusive and non-discriminatory coaching practice. Respect and accessibility are prioritized to ensure that all individuals, regardless of background, feel valued, heard, and supported in their personal development journey.
Commitment to Inclusive Coaching
Coaching services are provided with respect and fairness to individuals of all races, genders, ages, religions, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds.
Cultural humility is continuously cultivated, allowing for meaningful and respectful interactions that honour diverse perspectives.
Personal biases are actively reflected upon, ensuring an ongoing commitment to self-awareness and professional integrity.
Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Cultural differences and practices are acknowledged and respected, fostering a coaching environment where all clients feel recognized and valued.
Inclusive language and behaviour are consistently practised, ensuring communication remains respectful and supportive.
Unconscious bias is thoughtfully examined and challenged-both individually and collectively-to strengthen fairness and equity.
Ongoing education in diversity, equity, and inclusion is pursued to enhance professional awareness and enrich coaching interactions.
Accountability and Continuous Improvement
The principles of equality and inclusion are regularly reviewed, ensuring alignment with ethical best practices and evolving social awareness.
Feedback from clients and professional peers is welcome, contributing to the refinement and improvement of inclusive coaching methodologies.
Collaborative efforts within the coaching profession and broader communities are embraced to foster lasting positive change.
Technology and Data Protection Policy
At CHI Life-Coaching, the responsible and secure use of technology is prioritized to protect client privacy and maintain compliance with all applicable data protection regulations, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Every precaution is taken to safeguard client information when using technology-assisted coaching services.
Secure Online Coaching Platforms
All online coaching sessions are conducted using secure, encrypted platforms to ensure client confidentiality and data security.
Technologies utilized for virtual coaching adhere to stringent security protocols, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or breaches.
Data Storage and Protection Measures
Client files are stored in password-protected folders or cloud systems secured with multi-factor authentication, ensuring only authorized access.
Digital communications, including emails and messaging, are managed securely, with minimal inclusion of sensitive data to reduce exposure to cyber risks.
Strict compliance with data protection regulations is maintained, ensuring ethical storage, retrieval, and handling of client records.
Transparency in Digital Tools and Applications
Clients are informed of the tools, platforms, and applications used for scheduling, coaching, and payment processing to ensure transparency.
The security features and data protection policies of digital tools are periodically reviewed to maintain high standards of privacy and security.
Client Access to Personal Data
Clients are provided access to their data upon request, under legal data protection requirements.
Personal records may be permanently deleted upon request or after a reasonable retention period, ensuring responsible data management practices.
Complaints & Ethical Concerns Policy
At CHI Life-Coaching, an open and constructive approach is taken to address any concerns or complaints that may arise during the coaching relationship. The resolution of issues is prioritized in an ethical and professional manner.
Process for Addressing Concerns
Clients are encouraged to raise any concerns directly to ensure that the matter is addressed collaboratively and constructively.
Efforts are made to resolve issues transparently and professionally, ensuring the coaching experience remains beneficial and aligned with ethical standards.
Escalation of Ethical Breaches
If concerns remain unresolved or involve ethical misconduct, clients are entitled to report the matter through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Ethical Conduct Review process.
Ethical accountability is upheld to maintain the integrity and credibility of coaching practices.
Fees, Invoicing, and Cancellation Policy
At CHI Life-Coaching, clear and transparent financial policies are upheld to ensure fairness, professionalism, and mutual accountability in all coaching engagements. Clients are informed of all associated fees, invoicing procedures, and cancellation terms before the commencement of coaching services.
Coaching Fees and Payment Terms
Coaching fees are structured based on the selected service and outlined in the coaching agreement before the start of sessions.
Payment terms, including accepted methods and schedules, are communicated to ensure financial clarity.
Any adjustments to fees will be discussed and agreed upon before
Implementation, maintaining transparency for all clients.
Invoicing and Receipts
Invoices are provided following agreed payment schedules, ensuring clients have clear records of transactions.
Receipts are issued upon payment to confirm completion of the financial transactions
Secure payment platforms are utilised to protect client financial information and ensure compliance with industry standards.
Cancellation and Rescheduling
A minimum of 24 hours' notice is requested for cancellations or rescheduling of coaching sessions to allow for respectful time management.
Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice may result in the session being counted as used or billed, as outlined in the coaching agreement.
Exceptions may be made in cases of emergencies, allowing for reasonable flexibility based on individual circumstances.
Frequent cancellations may prompt a review of the coaching agreement and session schedule to ensure continued alignment with the client’s needs.
Termination and Referral Policy
At CHI Life-Coaching, the client’s best interests remain the priority, and the continuity of support is ensured in situations where coaching services may need to be discontinued.
Conditions for Termination
Either party retains the right to terminate the coaching relationship at any time.
Coaching may be discontinued under the following circumstances:
If the client is no longer benefiting from the coaching process.
If the coach identifies personal limitations that may affect the ability to provide effective support.
If another professional service is deemed more appropriate for the client’s needs.
Referral to Alternative Professionals
In cases where coaching is no longer suitable, the coach will discuss the situation with the client and may provide referrals to another coach, therapist, or service provider.
Referrals are made in alignment with ethical standards to ensure clients receive the necessary support for their continued personal growth.
Closing Session and Transition Support
A closing session is offered to provide reflections on progress and ensure a smooth transition.
Clients are encouraged to discuss the next steps and receive guidance on alternative avenues for personal development.
