Youth Life Coaching sessions are fully confidential unless the young person is at risk from their own behaviour or that of others.
Sometime a parent may find it difficult when details of their youths’ views are not available to them, however for coaching to be effective the child must have complete trust for the coach and their confidentiality.  Parents, Schools and Youth Leaders must be aware however that if a child is at risk I have an ethical obligation to share this information with the relevant organisations.
During Life Coaching, a young person may come to a decision about the choices they want to make and the route they want to follow. This may not be shared by their parents’, or indeed be what their parents would have chosen for them. As a youth Life Coach my obligation is to the personal development and happiness of the youth. I do not promote the parents’ hopes and wishes for their child but instead empower the youngster to realise how much they are capable of, and how to make their own choices.
I will not coach a young person under 18 without written parental consent. Life coaching requires the commitment of the youth, therefore I will also not attempt to coach a youth against their will.
If Life Coaching is delivered as part of a school or youth group initiative, I require that information about life coaching (supplied) is passed to the parent/s prior to the start of coaching, to advise them about the process of coaching and ensure that they fully understand what is required of their child, and them. Written consent is then obtained from both the parent and school/youth group.
