Ethics & Coach Subcontract Relationships

When a coach is a team of one (no partners or subcontract relationship) they are naturally aligned with their ethics on issues of confidentiality or contracting or the do’s and don’ts of the coaching relationship.  However once we build coaching partnerships and subcontracting relationships misalignment of ethics may occur.  And this misalignment occurs not because some of us are unethical and others ethical, but rather because we all come from different points of view on the same statement of ethics.  It is important for us to have a conversation on what the meanings of different ethical issues are in order to align the coach and coaching organization, and of course for coaches to be sure they aren’t put into a situation that they consider to be unethical by their partner coaching relationship. 

Let’s take an example.  How do we share client information within coaching partnerships? We promise to our clients the careful management of confidential conversations and client files.  But what if the head of a coaching organization you coach for states that they own all client information - how do you know that that information will be handled in accordance to your own code of ethics?  Once your client completes their coaching with you, do you hand your file to the coaching organization?  Do you do so with a verbal or written understanding of the eventual use of that file?  What if you find out later that the confidence of your client was violated by the coaching firm you worked for – who is responsible?  You?  The firm?

Another example is the internal coaching meetings many of the coaching partnerships may hold to develop the coaches and give value-add to the clients by sharing trends and situations within the client organization.  What kind of information is confidential and what kind of information is ethical to share? And is it the responsibility of the coaching organization to inform the client leadership or each client that that information is shared?  Is it necessary for the individual coach to share with each new client that that type of information is shared in coach organization meetings?

The ICF Code of Ethics includes some guidelines for “sponsors” or multi-coach organizations.  It is worth reading through and having a conversation with your sub-contracting or coach partnership organization to be sure you are aligned in how you view these and other key issues. 

by Sandi Stewart, PCC

The ICF Code of Ethics
Applicable Code Sections:
*The International Coach Federation defines these roles as follows:

• Client: The "client" is the person(s) being coached.
• Sponsor: The "sponsor" is the entity (including its representatives) paying for and/or arranging for coaching services to be provided.

Section 1: Professional Conduct At Large
5) I will conduct myself in accordance with the ICF Code of Ethics in all coach training, coach mentoring, and coach supervisory activities.
7) I will maintain, store, and dispose of any records created during my coaching business in a manner that promotes confidentiality, security, and privacy, and complies with any applicable laws and agreements.
8) I will use ICF member contact information (e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, etc.) only in the manner and to the extent authorized by the ICF.

Section 3: Professional Conduct with Clients
16) I will carefully explain and strive to ensure that, prior to or at the initial meeting, my coaching client and sponsor(s) understand the nature of coaching, the nature and limits of confidentiality, financial arrangements, and any other terms of the coaching agreement or contract.

Section 4: Confidentiality/Privacy
22) I will maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality with all client and sponsor information. I will have a clear agreement or contract before releasing information to another person, unless required by law.
23) I will have a clear agreement upon how coaching information will be exchanged among coach, client, and sponsor.
24) When acting as a trainer of student coaches, I will clarify confidentiality policies with the students.
25) I will have associated coaches and other persons whom I manage in service of my clients and their sponsors in a paid or volunteer capacity make clear agreements or contracts to adhere to the ICF Code of Ethics Part 2, Section 4: Confidentiality/Privacy standards and the entire ICF Code of Ethics to the extent applicable.

Coaching Minor Youth – What about the parents?

Coaching youth, especially minor youth who live at home with involved parents, can be a challenge. It’s important for the coach to have strongly defined boundaries and a firm policy on confidentiality. It is also important for the coach to bring parents into the coaching relationship enough to support the youth being coached, while maintaining confidentiality. It is also imperative for the coach to be clear that it is the youth (their child) that is your client.

Maintaining confidentiality of the youth client is key to the success of the coaching. Whether the parents, the school or another organization hires you, the youth themselves are the client.

ICF Code of Ethics in section 4 includes Confidentiality/Privacy:
“I will maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality with all client and sponsor information. I will have a clear agreement or contract before releasing information to another person, unless required by law.” (22)

“I will have a clear agreement upon how coaching information will be exchanged among coach, client and sponsor.” (23)

Although it is not specific to youth, my interpretation is that the parent hiring you would be the ‘sponsor’ and the youth your client. In the U.S. you would need written parental permission to coach a minor. Sometimes, parents believe that since they are the parent and are paying for the coaching, they can be privy to the coaching sessions. Parents often want to be involved, and want to support their child. This is good, but can be a challenge for some coaches to handle.

Coaches need to be clear prior to the beginning of the coaching what the parameters are going to be related to confidentiality. This conversation should happen at some point with both parent and child present, so they each know the other also has the same information.

The ‘Ethics FAQs’ on the ICF website gives an example of this:
Q: I am coaching a 12-year-old boy and his father calls me to ask how it is going. May I speak with him in generalities?
A: Only if your client agrees, or has agreed already in the contract that all three of you have signed.

Youth coaches differ on their levels of parental involvement. Currently there is no agreed upon guideline on how to do this. Here are my recommendations of what to do when coaching minor youth:

• Obtain written parental permission to work with minor youth.
• Youth (regardless of age) should also sign the agreement.
• Prior to this permission, a clear agreement that is understood by both youth and parent explains the limits of confidentiality.
• Include the parent in the intake session.
• Have part of the intake session be without the parent present.
• Include in the agreement how the parent can support their child being coached, and how important information will be shared. (If possible it is best for the youth to do this. If not, I would encourage this sharing to be done with the youth present).
• Follow all legal, moral and ethical expectations of you as a coach as well as any other professional codes (e.g.: social workers, counselors, psychologists, educators, etc.) related to breaking confidentiality (e.g.: mandatory reporting, duty to warn, subpoenas, etc.).
• If the parent is having difficulty, consider finding a parent coach to support the parent with the process, as the child is coached.

If you coach youth and would like more support, or would like to connect with other youth coaches, please contact me for information on how to join the ICF Teen Coaching SIG.

If you're interested in receiving News & Information to support your work with teens and young adults, sign up here.

Sandi Lindgren, LICSW, PCC
sandi@isupportyouth.com

Exercising your ethics muscle

How often are you taking the time to exercise your ethics muscle by reflecting on your coaching against a code of ethics? During International Coaching Week (ICW), 7-13 February 2011, coaches from around the world took part in the ICF Pan-European Ethics call to do just that.

ICW takes place in February every year and exists to promote the coaching profession and educate the general public about the value of working with a professional coach. These activities also focus on the coach and their development, like the ICF Pan-European Ethics call.

As you read this, what may occur to you is what does a ‘professional coach’ mean? For a start, it can mean that we have clear contracts with our clients, ensure confidentiality and no conflicts of interest and exemplify professional conduct of the highest standards. Reading the ICF Code of Ethics, you find these concepts are elaborated on so that, as a coach, you know what the expectations of a ‘professional coach’ look like in practice. This is particularly important as many of the dilemmas we experience with our clients and the organisations we work with can often be traced back to ethics.

When we experience an ethical dilemma, a toned ethics muscle enables a repertoire of responses and facilitates agility in choosing among them. A ‘repertoire of responses’ is apt as there is often no right or wrong answer. Also, as individuals we have to be congruent with how we are in these moments. It’s a very individual experience – all the more reason to take advantage of opportunities to debate these dilemmas amongst peers.

A toned ethics muscle instils professionalism in what we do. It enables us to build trust with our clients. It differentiates us in the marketplace. It allows us to understand what is important to us, our own boundaries and what we are willing and not willing to do.

To give your ethics muscle a workout in a confidential and non-judgemental space, join the ICF Pan-European Ethics calls. They will take place on 4th May, September and December. More information can be found at http://www.coachfederation.org.uk/pd_programme.phtml.

These calls are ICF members only, to become a member of the ICF, go to http://www.coachfederation.org/join-icf/.

Written by Barbara Babcock (member of UK ICF)Owner at b2c2 - Barbara Babcock Coaching & Consulting - Executive coaching for corporates, charities and individuals specialising in career and inter-cultural/ expatriate coaching.