On every step of your coaching journey, I want to make sure that you feel safe and relaxed. I never underestimate the level of trust that my clients put in me as their coach and I take the duty of safe guarding that trust very seriously.
I conduct my coaching according to the Code of Ethics set out by the International Coaching Federation. Given the importance of ethical and moral practice, every part of this document is both relevant and essential. I do encourage you to read the complete text in your own time.
Coaching Agreement
Coach-Client Partnership – Coaching Sessions – Confidentiality – Data Protection – Transparency
When you schedule a coaching session, you will need to consent to the following Coaching Agreement. Please read through this information carefully. It highlights my role as Coach, your role as Client, and some of my practices that are in place to keep you and your data safe, and to allow you to get the most from your coaching journey.
If you have any questions, or if there is anything you are not sure about, please get in touch.
Coach-Client Partnership
This is your coaching journey: your goals, your actions, your boundaries.
Coaching is a partnership (defined as an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client through a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the Client to maximise personal and professional potential. It is designed to facilitate the creation/development of personal, professional or business goals and to develop and carry out a strategy/plan for achieving those goals.
As mentioned above, I, as Coach, agree to maintain the ethics and standards of behaviour established by the International Coach Federation “(ICF)”. During every session I am aware of my own safety, my needs and my comfort, as well as those of my Client.
Out of respect for the Client, the process, and myself, I always endeavour to bring my full attention to each coaching session. I ask my Client to do the same. I ask my Client to respect the holistic, open and challenging nature of the coaching process.
Client’s accountability and responsibility
The Client is solely responsible for creating and implementing their own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions and results arising out of or resulting from the coaching relationship and their coaching sessions with the Coach. As such, the Client agrees that the Coach is not and will not be liable or responsible for any actions or inaction, or for any direct or indirect result of any services provided by the Coach. Client understands coaching is not therapy and does not substitute for therapy if needed, and does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental disorder or medical disease.
The Client acknowledges that coaching does not involve the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders as defined by the American Psychiatric Association and that coaching is not to be used as a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, or other professional advice by legal, medical or other qualified professionals and that it is the Client’s exclusive responsibility to seek such independent professional guidance as needed. If Client is currently under the care of a mental health professional, it is recommended that the Client promptly inform the mental health care provider of the nature and extent of the coaching relationship agreed upon by the Client and the Coach.
The Client acknowledges that coaching is a comprehensive process that may involve different areas of their life, including work, finances, health, relationships, education and recreation. The Client agrees that deciding how to handle these issues, incorporate coaching principles into those areas and implementing choices is exclusively the Client’s responsibility.
The Client understands that in order to enhance the coaching relationship, the Client agrees to communicate honestly, be open to feedback and assistance and to create the time and energy to participate fully in the program.
The Client further acknowledges that they may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship at any time.
The Client understands that the Coach is engaged as an independent contractor. The Coach acts at all times as an independent contractor and has no authority to bind or represent any other party in any way. No other party shall be held liable by the Client for any act, matter or thing done or to be done by the Coach throughout the duration of the coaching period.
Coaching Sessions
In preparation for each coaching session, Clients are asked to find a private space, be seated comfortably with a glass of water, be ready to take notes, and be open to the process.
To honour the Client’s right to exit the programme at any point in their journey, I only charge for one coaching session at a time, at the time of booking.
Sessions should be arranged and paid for by the Client via the online booking system. If any problems arise or you cannot find a time that suits you, please contact me. Sessions must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. The duration of and fee charged for each session is indicated at the time of booking and in the confirmation email.
It is at the Coach’s discretion whether a given session may run overtime if the Client arrives late. Sessions can be cancelled or re-arranged by the Client via the online booking system. Sessions cancelled more than 24 hours in advance will receive a full refund. Sessions cancelled less than 24 hours in advance will still be charged.
If, for any reason, the Coach arrives more than ten minutes late to a session, the Client has the right to re-book free of charge or request a refund. In the event that a session is cancelled by the Coach, the Client will be notified via email and will be eligible to rebook the session free of charge or receive a full refund.
Sessions will take place via Zoom meeting video call, unless otherwise agreed between the Coach and the Client. A link to join the call will be sent in the confirmation email.
Confidentiality
Everything that is said between us as Coach and Client, remains between us. There are only 2 instances in which I may break this confidentiality:
- If legal issues arise
- If I feel you or someone else is at risk of harm
If either of these situations were to occur, we would discuss them together during a coaching session or at an appropriate time.
Coaching sessions can either be held via online video call or in person.
For online sessions, I will always make sure that I am in a private space and I will not be disturbed. I ask my clients to do the same.
For in-person sessions, we will choose a location that is convenient for both Coach and Client and offers an appropriate level of privacy. If, for any reason, we are interrupted during a coaching session, I would stop the session, deal with the interruption as necessary, and ask the Client if they are okay to proceed before continuing.
Sessions will only ever be recorded once I have received formal permission from the Client. Recordings will only ever be used for personal training purposes unless stated otherwise.
Definitions of confidentiality
This coaching relationship, as well as all information (documented or verbal) that the Client shares with the Coach as part of this relationship, is bound by the principles of confidentiality set forth in the ICF Code of Ethics. However, the Coach-Client relationship is not considered a legally confidential relationship (like the medical and legal professions) and thus communications are not subject to the protection of any legally recognised privilege. The Coach agrees not to disclose any information pertaining to the Client without the Client’s written consent. The Coach will not disclose the Client’s name as a reference without the Client’s consent.
Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) was in the Coach’s possession prior to its being furnished by the Client; (b) is generally known to the public or in the Client’s industry; (c) is obtained by the Coach from a third party, without breach of any obligation to the Client; (d) is independently developed by the Coach without use of or reference to the Client’s confidential information; or (e) the Coach is required by statute, lawfully issued subpoena, or by court order to disclose; (f) is disclosed to the Coach and as a result of such disclosure the Coach reasonably believes there to be an imminent or likely risk of danger or harm to the Client or others; and (g) involves illegal activity. The Client also acknowledges their continuing obligation to raise any confidentiality questions or concerns with the Coach in a timely manner.
According to the ethics of our profession, topics may be anonymously and hypothetically shared with other coaching professionals for training, supervision, mentoring, evaluation, and for coach professional development and/or consultation purposes.
Data Protection
The data that I require from clients before we begin our coaching journey allows me to keep the business running smoothly and get in touch with clients as necessary. All my practices are GDPR compliant.
Client data is never shared with any other party except under circumstances detailed under Confidentiality above.
Client data is stored on a password-protected digital database and cloud service.
Clients will be contacted with regards to: session information and follow-up, session scheduling, payments, invoicing and receipts.
For insurance purposes, Client data is retained for 7 years after the end of the coaching programme.
During coaching sessions I may take notes to keep track of the Client’s journey. These notes will be stored securely for 7 years after the end of the coaching programme
Transparency
To honour the collaborative nature of my work, I aim to be as transparent as possible, whilst adhering to the bounds of necessary confidentiality. If you have any questions about my work or if you have any feedback with regards to what is written here, please get in touch. If you would like to receive a dated copy of the information presented here, I will happily provide one via email.
New clients
Existing clients
Emily Swaddle 