Onward Shift Limited - Code of Ethics

Last Updated: 01/November/2025

The Onward Shift Code of Ethics sets out the professional standards required from all individuals who provide coaching, counselling, keynote speaking or related services under the Onward Shift brand. All providers agree to uphold these standards to ensure safety, quality, trust and professionalism across all engagements.

By working with or representing Onward Shift, you agree to follow the commitments outlined below.

1. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

All coaches, counsellors and keynote speakers agree to:

1.1. Uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity, accountability and professionalism.

1.2. Treat all clients, potential clients and colleagues with dignity, respect and fairness.

1.3. Maintain confidentiality except where disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect the client or others from harm (safeguarding).

1.4. Honour the spirit and details of all commercial agreements with clients, partners and Onward Shift.

1.5. Ensure transparency and fairness in all commercial arrangements.

2. SAFEGUARDING & CONFIDENTIALITY

2.1. Respect client confidentiality at all times unless:

• there is an immediate or serious risk of harm

• a safeguarding disclosure is required

• a legal obligation demands disclosure

2.2. Safeguarding takes precedence over confidentiality where safety is at risk.

2.3. Maintain secure, accurate, and GDPR-compliant records of client interactions.

3. BOUNDARIES & DUAL RELATIONSHIPS

3.1. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

3.2. Avoid dual relationships where personal, social, financial or professional overlap could impair judgment or risk exploitation.

3.3. Do not exploit the professional-to-client relationship for personal, professional or financial gain beyond agreed contract terms.

3.4. Refrain from providing any services while impaired by physical or mental health issues that may impact professional judgment.

4. COMPETENCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

4.1. Only deliver services within the limits of your training, experience and competence.

4.2. Accurately represent your qualifications and avoid any misleading claims.

4.3. Commit to ongoing professional development, supervision and reflective practice.

4.4. Seek appropriate consultation, supervision or referral where cases fall outside your competence.

4.5. Refer clients to other professionals (e.g., counsellors, therapists, specialists or more experienced practitioners) when their needs cannot be safely or effectively met by you.

5. ETHICAL MARKETING & PUBLIC REPRESENTATION

5.1. Promote coaching, counselling, keynote speaking and wellbeing services honestly and without exaggeration.

5.2. Ensure that all promotional materials and advertisements comply with UK Advertising Standards Authority regulations.

5.3. Refrain from making unsubstantiated or misleading claims about outcomes.

5.4. Uphold and promote the positive reputation of Onward Shift at all times.

6. DIVERSITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

6.1. Treat all individuals equally, fairly and without discrimination based on:

• age

• gender

• race or ethnicity

• disability

• religion or belief

• sexual orientation

• socioeconomic background

• cultural identity

6.2. Provide services that respect the lived experiences, backgrounds and identities of all clients.

7. KEYNOTE SPEAKING & PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

7.1. Ensure all content delivered during keynote sessions is respectful, accurate, evidence-based where relevant, and appropriate for the audience.

7.2. Avoid delivering information that could cause harm, distress or misunderstanding.

7.3. Use personal lived experience responsibly, without creating risk for vulnerable individuals.

8. RECORD KEEPING & DATA RESPONSIBILITY

8.1. Maintain secure, accurate and confidential records compliant with UK GDPR and Onward Shift policies.

8.2. Ensure personal data is collected and stored only where necessary and is protected at all times.

8.3. Take care to respect Onward Shift’s intellectual property, materials, programmes and proprietary systems.

9. WORKING WITH MINORS & VULNERABLE PERSONS

9.1. Obtain explicit written consent from parents, guardians or authorised bodies before working with minors.

9.2. Follow relevant safeguarding legislation and reporting guidelines.

9.3. Maintain heightened ethical awareness when working with vulnerable individuals.

10. INSURANCE & LEGAL COMPLIANCE

10.1. Maintain appropriate and valid professional indemnity insurance for all services delivered.

10.2. Ensure compliance with all UK laws and regulations, including those relevant when coaching or counselling clients based abroad.

10.3. Charge fees only when appropriately insured and qualified to do so.

11. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & COMMERCIAL CONFIDENTIALITY

11.1. Respect copyright, licences, agreements and intellectual property belonging to Onward Shift or other parties.

11.2. Do not reproduce, distribute or share Onward Shift materials without written permission.

11.3. Maintain commercial confidentiality by not disclosing Onward Shift’s business processes, systems, internal information or client data to any third party.

12. CLIENT RIGHTS & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

12.1. Respect the client’s right to terminate services at any time, in accordance with contractual terms.

12.2. Obtain written consent before using client testimonials, feedback or name references.

12.3. Provide clients with a copy of this Code upon request.

13. COOPERATION & COLLABORATION

13.1. Share knowledge, expertise and support with fellow Onward Shift providers to enhance collective professional standards.

13.2. Maintain respectful and constructive communication with colleagues at all times.

14. CONFLICTS, COMPLAINTS & REPORTING

14.1. Disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest promptly and transparently.

14.2. Notify Onward Shift immediately of any situation that may lead to conflict, litigation or negative publicity.

14.3. Cooperate fully with any investigation or review into ethical concerns or complaints.

15. ENFORCEMENT & NON-COMPLIANCE

15.1. Onward Shift reserves the right to:

• suspend a provider

• terminate collaboration

• remove a provider from the platform

• report misconduct to regulatory bodies

if this Code is breached.

15.2. Serious breaches may result in permanent disassociation from Onward Shift.

This Code exists to protect the wellbeing of clients, uphold professional standards and safeguard the reputation of Onward Shift. All providers must read, understand and adhere to this Code as a condition of working with or representing the Company.