This document establishes the basic rules of engagement for the coaching relationship. It is intended to provide clarity about what is going to happen and to outline the mutual responsibilities of both parties. It also sets out the professional and ethical framework within which the Coach operates.

Coaching is a formal process of facilitated self-discovery that is tailored to your personal requirements to assist you in defining and achieving your outcomes and goals.

Coaching is not training. More importantly, it is not counselling or therapy. Separate explanations of what those disciplines entail are available upon request. If issues arise that would be better suited to one of those other disciplines, an introduction to a suitable professional can be made.

The Coach is a member of the ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) and adheres to the Global Code of Ethics for Coaches, Mentors, Team Coaches, Leader Coaches and Supervisors, jointly published by EMCC Global (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) and eleven further professional bodies. The Coach's full ethical commitments are set out in the section below.

Coaching is most effective when you, [your name], are:

• Committed to developing yourself, reaching a goal, solving a problem, or achieving a specific developmental outcome.
• Willing to change if necessary, and you recognise the value of the investment of time and money in your development.
• Open to new ways of learning and doing things that might challenge your established thoughts, beliefs and ideas.
• Honest with your coach, and more importantly, with yourself – particularly if you feel that something is not working for you.
• Prepared for the giving and receiving of candid feedback.
• Accepting of the fact that there is no benefit in coaching without you first, truly, committing to it.
• Prepared for each session – give at least a few minutes' thought in advance to what you would like to discuss and focus on.
• Willing to complete a short feedback form when asked to do so by the Coach. Once every four sessions, or at the end of the programme (whichever is sooner), the Coach will ask the Client to complete a brief feedback questionnaire designed to maintain service quality and promote positive coaching outcomes. Completion of this feedback is a condition of the engagement.

As your coach, the Coach will do everything in their power to:

• Focus on you and your best interests, including your goals and your outcomes.
• Support and encourage you while you develop to your full potential.
• Be open, objective, and non-judgemental.
• Ask questions that might challenge your ideas and thoughts as you develop and progress.
• Arrange a comfortable and private space or medium for all sessions.

The Coach adheres to the Global Code of Ethics for Coaches, Mentors, Team Coaches, Leader Coaches and Supervisors (updated February 2026), jointly published by EMCC Global and eleven further professional bodies. The full text of the Code is available at globalcodeofethics.org.

What is discussed in coaching sessions remains strictly between [your name] and the Coach, unless:

• Explicit permission is given to share something with someone else.
• Something disclosed indicates a risk of harm to you or someone else.
• Something disclosed indicates a breach or potential breach of the law or a contract.
• Workplace coaching has been commissioned by your employer and the organisation's policies are put at risk or potential risk. (This applies to employer-commissioned coaching only. If you are paying for your own coaching, this does not apply.)
• You and the Coach agree that your progress should be discussed with a third party for a specific reason.

All records and feedback materials will be kept confidential and secure. At the end of the engagement they will be destroyed confidentially, unless you request that they be retained for future reference should you re-engage coaching at a later date.

If you choose to share your own experiences with others, that is your right – they are your experiences. If you do so, please be mindful of the personal nature of those experiences and the potential impact of your stories, values and beliefs on people who may not be ready to receive them.

If you wish to cancel or reschedule a session, please give at least 24 hours' notice, unless it is an emergency. If no notification is received, it will be assumed you are attending. Any session missed without advance notice will be charged at its normal rate.

You may terminate the programme at any time by giving one week's written notice.

This is not an open-ended arrangement. The agreed programme is set out below. This has been tailored to your needs and objectives and agreed between us. The programme can be extended and adapted to suit your evolving requirements, increasing or decreasing the frequency and duration of sessions as appropriate.

Between sessions, you may contact the Coach by call, email, WhatsApp or text for ad hoc support – using the Coach as a sounding board or to share a success. A respectful and common-sense approach to the frequency of such contact is appreciated.

All fees are exclusive of VAT at the prevailing rate. Fees will be invoiced in accordance with the agreed programme schedule.

By signing below, both parties confirm that they have read, understood and agree to the terms set out in this Coaching Agreement.