Legislations
All case notes and contact details regarding any client, will be stored in compliance with the data protection act of 1998. This will include procedures to ensure that:
v Paper records will be kept in a locked filing system, within a secure environment.
v Digital records will be kept within password protected files.
v Data records will be maintained and updated as necessary, and contact details will be removed from the system once no longer required.
v The coach will seek permission to use contact details for marketing purposes and will always offer an unsubscribe service.
v The coach will also seek permission before using any element of the case notes for study, example, reference or media purposes.
v The coach will be obligated to pass on details if requested by law enforcement.
v The coach may pass on details of they feel there is a legal or safety risk to a person.
v The coach will comply with the legislation of social services regarding risk to a minor, and will be obligated to pass on details if they feel that a minor may be at risk.
The coach will comply with all required regulations regarding health and safety, and will put the concern and safety of the client first at all times.
The coach will comply with the requirements of the Human Rights act, and will ensure that all clients are offered an equal service regardless of race, personal beliefs, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability. If required the coach may seek the assistance of outside organisations to ensure that all clients, regardless of the above dispositions, can be offered an equal coaching service.
The coach will comply with the requirements of the freedom of information act, whilst protecting the details of clients as outlined above
Professional Standard
In addition to the legal requirements as outlined above the coach will also:
v Coach to the best of their abilities at all times, and will not lay claim to a level of competence not possessed.
v Ensure that appropriate steps are taken to deal with any personal issues which may affect the coaches’ usual professional standard.
v Be aware of any possible conflict of interest and raise this with the client should it arise. If the conflict of interest can not be avoided the coach will terminate the coaching relationship in a professional manner.
v Be aware of any intent to misuse the coaches’ work, and if the intent can not be avoided terminate the coaching relationship in a professional manner.
v Maintain a professional relationship with the client at all times, and will not engage in, or encourage any sexual encounter with a client.
v Ensure that clients are made fully aware of the financial terms prior to any invoicing to the client.
v Wherever possible lower the standard rate within a reasonable level for persons/families in financial hardship. The criteria for reduction of rates, and reduction amounts will remain at the discretion of the coach.
v Ensure that clients are fully aware of the boundaries of coaching before entering the coaching process.
v Terminate the coaching agreement if it is deemed to be harmful, or consistently ineffective for the client.
v Not attempt to coach any client who is in receipt of any additional therapy, and has not informed their therapist/counsellor/doctor of their intent to pursue a coaching service.
Wherever possible the coach will offer a referral service for clients for whom coaching is not appropriate, or where the coaching relationship has been terminated by the coach.
Complaints Procedure
If at any time a client feels unhappy about the service they have received, or feel that the coach has not adhered to their ethical framework, the client must raise this with the coach at the earliest convenience. The coach will then review the clients’ complaint fully and do their upmost to resolve this issue. If the issue can not be resolved the coach will comply with a clients request to terminate the coaching agreement, and will levee any cancellation charges usually applied.
The coach will at all times have the upmost concern for the welfare and progression of the client, and will regularly review the progress of a client to ensure that the coaching process continues to be of benefit to the client.
