Introduction and Purpose

All the bodies (“the bodies”) mentioned in section 5, as co-signatories to this Code of Ethics (“the Code”), wish to state the following:

As membership bodies, we are committed to maintaining and promoting excellent practice and ethical principles in coaching, mentoring, and supervision, a field becoming increasingly professionalised and supported by digital technologies including data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI). All our members, in their roles as coaches, mentors, supervisors, trainers/training providers, and students, as part of their continuing membership, agree to adhere to the elements and principles of this Code of Ethics.

The Code aligns with the content and requirements set out in the Professional Charter for Coaching and Mentoring. The Charter, drafted in accordance with European law, is registered on the dedicated European Union database, which lists self-regulation initiatives in Europe.

The Code is intended as a guidance document rather than a legally binding one that in detail spells out what a member can and cannot do. The Code sets the expectation of best practice in coaching, mentoring, and supervision promoting the development of professional excellence. Its purpose is to:

1. Provide appropriate guidelines, accountability, and standards of conduct for all our members.
2. Set out how our members are expected to act, behave and perform when working with coachees, mentees, supervisees (hereafter called ‘clients’) and interacting with fellow practitioners, sponsors, stakeholders, and other professionals.
3. In conjunction with our respective bodies' professional competences, guide our members' development and growth in the profession.
4. Serve as a guide for individuals who do not identify themselves as a professional coach, mentor or supervisor, but apply coaching, mentoring, or supervision skills in their work.
5. Be used as a basis of any complaints or disciplinary hearings and actions within the respective bodies’ complaints procedures.

The Code of Ethics

The Code is arranged into five sections and covers the bodies’ general expectations of professional behaviour and conduct as well as the list of all the membership bodies that have signed up to this Code of Ethics:

1. Terminology
2. Working with Clients
3. Professional Conduct
4. Excellent Practice
5. Signatories to the Global Code of Ethics

1. Terminology

1. For reasons of brevity this Code where appropriate refers to:
   • Coachees, mentees, supervisees and students as “clients”
   • Coaches, mentors, supervisors and trainers/training providers as “practising members” or “members”
   • Coaching, mentoring and supervision work as “professional work”
   • Coaching, mentoring and supervision as “profession”
2. The signatories to this Code acknowledge that the terms “profession” and “professional” are being used for activities that are not under statutory regulation but are being increasingly professionalised and self-regulated.
3. The signatories to this Code acknowledge that the titles “coach”, “mentor” and “supervisor” are not protected and may be used by anyone in the field of practice, member or not member of a professional body.
4. Each signatory will define exactly which of its members and other stakeholders are expected to abide by this Code (who are hereafter collectively referred to as the "members").
5. For a proper understanding of this Code, members should be aware of their own professional body’s definitions and terminology for the precise use of keywords e.g., coach, coaching, client, member, mentor, mentoring, sponsor, supervisor, supervision, training, and technology.

2. Working with Clients

Context

1. When professionally working with clients in any capacity members will conduct themselves in accordance with this Code, committed to delivering the level of service that may reasonably be expected of a practising member.

Contracting

2. Before they start working with a client, members will make this Code available and explain and make explicit, their commitment to abide by this Code. Members will also make their clients and sponsors aware of their respective bodies’ complaints procedures.
3. Before starting work with a client, members will explain and strive to ensure that the client and sponsor know and fully understand, the nature, terms, and conditions of the coaching, mentoring, or supervision contract, including financial, logistical, and confidentiality arrangements.
4. Members will use their professional knowledge and experience to understand their clients’ and sponsors’ expectations and reach an agreement on how they plan to meet them. Members will also try to take into account the needs and expectations of other relevant parties.
5. Members will be open and transparent about the methods they use and willing to share information with clients and sponsors about the processes and standards involved.
6. Members will ensure that the duration of the contract is appropriate to achieve the client’s and sponsor’s goals and will actively work to promote the client’s independence, self-reliance and sense of empowerment.
7. Members will ensure that the setting in which any coaching, mentoring, supervision, or training takes place offers optimal conditions for learning and reflection and therefore a higher likelihood of achieving the goals set in the contract.
8. Members should be guided by their client’s interests and at the same time raise awareness and responsibility to safeguard that these interests do not harm those of sponsors, stakeholders, wider society, or the natural environment.

Integrity

9. Members will be suitably qualified to work with their chosen client group and honestly represent their relevant experience, professional qualifications, memberships, and certifications/accreditations to clients, sponsors, stakeholders, and fellow practitioners.
10. In communication with any party, members will accurately represent the value they provide as a coach, mentor, or supervisor.
11. Members will ensure that no false or misleading claims are made, or implied, about their professional competence, qualifications, or accreditation in any published, promotional material, or otherwise. Members will attribute ownership of work, ideas, and materials of others to the originator and not claim it as their own.
12. Members will disclose any conflict of interest and act within applicable law and not in any way encourage, assist or collude with conduct that is dishonest, unlawful, unprofessional, unjust, or discriminatory.

Confidentiality

13. When working with clients, members will maintain the strictest level of confidentiality with all client and sponsor information unless the release of information is required by law.
14. Members will have a clear agreement with clients and sponsors about the conditions under which confidentiality will not be maintained (e.g., illegal activity, danger to self or others) and gain agreement to that limit of confidentiality where possible unless the release of information is required by law.
15. Members will keep, store and dispose of all data and records of their client work including digital files and communications, in a manner that ensures confidentiality, security, and privacy, and complies with all relevant laws and agreements that exist in their client’s country regarding data protection and privacy.
16. Members will inform clients that they are receiving supervision and identify that the client may be referred to anonymously in this context. The client should be assured that the supervision relationship is itself confidential.
17. If the client is a child or a vulnerable adult, members will make arrangements with the client’s sponsors or guardian to ensure an appropriate level of confidentiality in the best interests of the client, whilst also complying with all relevant legislation and safeguarding practices.

Inappropriate Interactions

18. Members will be responsible for setting and maintaining clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries in their relationships with clients and sponsors.
19. Members will avoid any relationship of dependency, exploit any relationship, or seek to obtain any unintended financial or non-financial advantage from their professional relationship.

3. Professional Conduct

1. Members will work within the limit of their qualifications, competencies, and experience. When appropriate, they will refer clients to other more suitably qualified practitioners.
2. Members will maintain their physical and mental health to a level that allows them to perform their professional work effectively. If they are not fit to work, they will suspend their services and, if appropriate, assist clients in finding alternative practitioners.
3. Members will ensure that their professional work is supported by regular supervision.
4. Members will commit to their own continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain their competencies and remain informed of new developments.

4. Excellent Practice

1. Members will act in a manner that supports and promotes the reputation of the profession and the professional body.
2. Members will actively support research and the development of new tools, technologies, and practices in coaching, mentoring, and supervision.

5. Signatories to the Global Code of Ethics