Code of Ethics

All coaches, counsellors and keynote speakers agree to:

• Uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity, accountability and responsibility.
• Treat all clients, potential clients and colleagues with utmost dignity, confidentiality and respect as equal individuals.
• Uphold and promote the positive reputation of the coaching, counselling and keynote profession and specifically Onward Shift.
• Honour both the spirit and the specifics of all commercial agreements with clients, potential clients, professional colleagues and Onward Shift.
• Ensure fairness and mutual respect in all commercial agreements with clients and potential clients.
• Refrain from exploiting the professional to client relationship for personal, professional or financial gain, except as agreed upon in contractual terms.
• Maintain accurate and secure records of client interactions, ensuring compliance with GDPR regulations.
• Maintain clear professional boundaries with all current clients and sponsors.
• Charge professional fees only when covered by relevant and appropriate professional indemnity insurance.
• Maintain adequate professional indemnity insurance relevant to professional practices.
• Accurately represent qualifications, skills and experience to avoid misleading clients.
• Refrain from making unsubstantiated claims about outcomes.
• Monitor and enhance the quality of coaching and counselling through client feedback and professional development.
• Obtain written consent before using client names as references.
• Refer clients to more suitable professionals if unable to meet their specific needs, such as more experienced coaches, coaching supervisors, counsellors, mentors or specialists.
• Honour client confidentiality rights unless otherwise permitted in writing or required by law.
• Disclose and manage conflicts of interest transparently.
• Refrain from providing information or advice beyond personal competence or that is confidential or misleading.
• Promote public understanding and acceptance of professional coaching, counselling or Keynote Speaking.
• Ensure physical and mental fitness for coaching, counselling or keynote speaking practice; seek alternative support for clients if necessary.
• Share knowledge and expertise with fellow members of Onward Shift to help with professional growth.
• Commit to ongoing professional development in coaching theory and practice.
• Respect copyrights, agreements, intellectual property and comply with relevant laws.
• Obtain explicit written consent from parents, guardians or appropriate authorities before coaching or counselling minors.
• Respect the client’s right to terminate the coaching relationship at any time, guided by the terms of the agreement.
• Notify Onward Shift promptly of any situation that may lead to conflict, litigation or negative publicity.
• Adhere to all UK laws and regulations, including those applicable when coaching or counselling clients based abroad.
• Ensure all advertisements and promotional materials comply with the UK Advertising Standards Authority regulations.
• Maintain commercial confidentiality by not disclosing Onward Shift’s business information to third parties.
• Provide clients with a copy of this Code upon request.

Last Updated: 18th March 2025