Code of Ethics
For Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting (SJCC)
This code of ethics (“The Code”) is composed of five (5) sections:
Introduction
Core Values and Ethical Principles
Code of Conduct
Links to Policies
Agreement
1. Introduction
The Code outlines and describes the core values, ethical principles, and expected ethical conduct of behaviour for all staff, students, graduates, associates, and members of Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting. The core values and principles show the underlying rationale behind expected behaviours and decisions, and the code of conduct provides a practical guide to support decision making and behaviour in line with the expected standards.
We will inevitably encounter unexpected issues, resolution of dilemmas and solutions to problems not expressly listed in the code of conduct. The Code is intended to assist in these moments by highlighting the variety of ethical factors that need to be taken into consideration in order to identify alternative ways of approaching ethical behaviour.
All those mentioned agree to The Code and will strive to be ethical, even when doing so involves making difficult decisions or acting courageously.
Glossary of Terms
“The Code” - This code of ethics, containing the code of conduct.
“We” - Everyone listed in The Code: all staff, students, graduates, associates, and members of Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting.
“You” - Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting students, graduates, clients, and sponsors.
“I” - Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting coaches, staff and associates.
2. Core Values & Ethical Principles
We will collectively adhere to and operate in the spirit of Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting’s central values*:
CONNECTION
Our connection to the world around us changes our experience and our potential. We need to connect with others, with the world around us, and with new ideas and opportunities to thrive. As such we value:
Human connection and fostering warm, transformative relationships with others.
Connecting with the world around us through community and exploring nature.
Connecting ideas and disciplines in new ways to provide novel solutions to old problems.
Connecting opportunities for ourselves and others.
EMPOWERMENT
Seeing the good, the potential, and the strength in others and ourselves. Allowing a focus on ‘zones of genius’. Fostering a society that appreciates differences and uses complimentary skills to support and lift each other up. As such we value:
Knowing our strengths and leaning into them to achieve our goals.
Building scaffolding around our strengths to support and enable working in ‘zones of genius’.
Allowing everyone the opportunity to use their strengths, talents, and passions for a fulfilled life and career.
GROWTH
Growing sustainably towards a more whole, resourced, and capable future for all. This includes supporting and celebrating personal, business, and financial growth. As such we value:
Supporting learning and evolution in light of new experiences and knowledge.
Moving towards a more whole and integrated expression of self.
Advocating for sustainable practices and lifestyles in pursuit of goals.
Appreciating present talents gifts and good fortunes as the foundations of future growth.
INTEGRITY
Knowing and acting in line with our values and morals. Doing what’s right, acting for good, and (where safe) taking action against unfair or unjust situations and circumstances. As such we value:
Doing what is ethically right, even if that is a more difficult path.
Honesty, authenticity, and transparency in all communications.
Acting with integrity towards oneself including looking after our needs and being honest about our current capabilities and resources.
Creating space for the integrity and authenticity of others.
VITALITY
Seeking purpose and creating positive ripples into the world around us. Examining our bigger purpose and the larger cause behind our day-to-day actions. As such we value:
Understanding the ‘why’ behind our actions, decisions, and statements.
Connecting to passions, talents, and strengths so we can make our biggest positive impact on the world.
Recognising where vitality is becoming lost, and working to rediscover and reconnect to ourselves and our mission.
Self care is self investment, and a necessary component of safeguarding our vitality and impact.
*We also recognise and appreciate the ICF values of professionalism, collaboration, humanity and equity in our coaching practice.
3. Code of Conduct
The Code of conduct outlines the ethical standards expected for all listed and to whom The Code applies.
1. Shared Responsibilities
All covered by The Code will:
1.1. Conduct themselves to the highest levels of ethics, integrity, accountability, and responsibility.
1.2. Hold responsibility for being aware of and setting clear, appropriate, culturally sensitive boundaries that govern interactions, physical or otherwise.
1.3. Avoid conflicts of interest and give notice of any such potential conflicts.
1.4. Resolve any conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest by working through the issue with relevant parties, seeking professional assistance, or suspending temporarily or ending the professional relationship.
1.5. Contact Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting immediately if you find yourself in a situation which may create conflict, litigation, or bad publicity.
1.6. Communicate and create awareness with those who need to be informed of the ethical responsibilities established by this Code.
1.7. Comply with both the spirit and letter of any commercial agreements made with clients, potential clients, professional colleagues and Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting.
1.8. Respect all copyrights, agreements, work, intellectual property and trademarks and comply with all laws covering such areas.
1.9. Comply with all laws and by-laws of the UK and, if coaching clients based abroad, with the laws of the clients’ country.
1.10. Alleged breaches of The Code will be fully investigated by Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting and, if proven, may lead to the expulsion of the individual and the withdrawal, without compensation, of all and any rights previously bestowed by virtue of that individual's connection with Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting.
2. Responsibility to Clients
I will:
2.1. Treat all clients and potential clients with absolute dignity, confidentiality, and respect as free and equal individuals.
2.2. Explain and ensure that, prior to or at the initial meeting, you understand:
2.2.1. The nature and potential value of coaching.
2.2.2. The nature and limits of confidentiality: I will respect the absolute right you have to confidentiality except as expressly permitted by you in writing, or as required by law, and I will obtain written permission from you before releasing your name as a referee.
2.2.3. Financial arrangements.
2.2.4. Any other terms of the Coaching Agreement.
2.3. Maintain professional boundaries and relationships with you by:
2.3.1. Being aware of and actively managing any power or status difference between you and I that may be caused by cultural, relational, psychological, or contextual issues.
2.3.2. Holding responsibility for being aware of and setting clear, appropriate and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern interactions, physical or otherwise.
2.3.3. Not participating in any sexual or romantic engagement with you. I will be ever mindful of the level of intimacy appropriate for the relationship. I will take appropriate action to address the issue or cancel the coaching engagement if required.
2.3.4. Be sensitive to the implications of having multiple contracts and relationships with the you at the same time in order to avoid conflict of interest situations.
2.4. Avoid coaching minors (people under 18 years old) without the express written consent of a parent, guardian or teacher as appropriate.
2.5. Be fit and healthy enough to practise. If not, I will stop until I am and, if necessary, you will be offered alternative support.
2.5. When working as an Internal Coach, manage conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest with you through coaching agreement(s) and ongoing dialogue. This will include addressing organisational roles, responsibilities, relationships, records, confidentiality and other reporting requirements.
2.6. Assure consistent quality of coaching regardless of the amount or form of agreed compensation in any relationship.
2.7. Remain alert to indications that there might be a shift in the value received from the coaching relationship. If so, make a change in the relationship or encourage you to seek another coach, seek another professional or use a different resource.
2.8. Disclose to you the potential receipt of compensation and other benefits I may receive for referring my clients to third parties.
2.9. Make a copy of this code freely available to you if requested.
3. Contractual Responsibilities
I will:
3.1. Create an agreement/contract regarding the roles, responsibilities and rights of all parties involved with you prior to the commencement of services.
3.2. Make commercial agreements with you that are fair and will respect all parties to such agreements.
3.3. Clearly state to you the terms of any commercial agreement including the expectations of both parties.
3.4. Only barter for services, goods, or other non-monetary remuneration when it will not impair the coaching relationship.
3.5. Not knowingly take any personal, professional or monetary advantage or benefit of the coach-client relationship, except by a form of compensation as agreed in the agreement or contract.
3.5. Have professional indemnity insurance adequate to cover my coaching and/or coaching supervision practice.
3.6. Not charge you professional fees without relevant and appropriate professional accreditation and professional indemnity insurance.
3.7. Ensure that all advertisements and promotional materials, whether verbal or written, are legal, decent, truthful, honest and in compliance with the requirements of the UK Advertising Standards Authority.
3.8. Respect the your right to terminate the coaching relationship at any point during the process, subject to the provisions of the agreement or contract.
4. Data Protection and Confidentiality
I will:
4.1. Clearly outline how information is exchanged among all parties involved during all coaching interactions.
4.2. Keep appropriate and accurate records of our work and ensure records will remain confidential, are stored securely and comply with GDPR requirements.
4.3. Maintain, store and dispose of any records, including electronic files and communications, created during my professional interactions in a manner that promotes confidentiality, security and privacy and complies with any applicable laws and agreements. Furthermore, I seek to make proper use of emerging and growing technological developments that are being used in coaching services (technology-assisted coaching services) and be aware how various ethical standards apply to them.
4.4. Explain when and where information will not be kept confidential. Where I reasonably believe one of the following circumstances are applicable, I will inform the relevant authorities: illegal activity, if required by law, pursuant to a valid court order of subpoena, imminent or likely risk of danger to self or to others. This list is not exhaustive and where safety or legal issues arise I will act ethically regarding information disclosures.
5. Commitment to Performance, Efficacy, and Quality
I will:
5.1. Maintain the good reputation and integrity of the coaching profession in general, and Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting in particular.
5.2. Share true representations of status, title, competence, and experience in order not to mislead, misrepresent, or defraud. That includes accurately identifying my coaching qualifications, expertise, training, and other credentials.
5.3. Have qualifications, skills, and experience appropriate to your needs. I will refrain from offering professional information or advice that I know to be confidential, misleading, or where I cannot assess the accuracy with my current competence. If I cannot meet your needs, I will refer you to those who can, such as more experienced coaches or other specialist services.
5.4. Not make claims or implications of outcomes that cannot be demonstrated or guaranteed about what I offer, coaching on the whole, and the potential value of coaching.
5.5. Recognise my personal limitations or circumstances that may impair, conflict, or interfere with my coaching performance or our coaching relationship. I will reach out for support to determine the action to be taken and, if necessary, promptly seek relevant professional guidance. This may include suspending or terminating our coaching relationship.
5.6. Continually develop professionally in both the theory and practice of coaching. Commit to excellence through continued personal, professional and ethical development.
5.7. Monitor the quality of my work through feedback from you and other appropriate professionals.
5.8. Require adherence to The Code by all support personnel and associates.
5.9. Complaints can be raised and handled in line with our complaints policy.
5.10. Adhere to the code of ethics as stated by any trainers or accrediting bodies which my practices are governed by.
6. Responsibility to Society
We will:
6.1. Endeavour to enhance public understanding and acceptance of professional coaching.
6.2. Be honest and work within recognised scientific standards, applicable subject guidelines and boundaries of competence when conducting and reporting research.
6.3. Be aware of our impacts on society. We adhere to the philosophy of “doing good,” versus “avoiding bad.”
6.4. Avoid discrimination by maintaining fairness and equality in all activities and operations, while respecting local rules and cultural practices. This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination on the basis of age, race, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability or military status.
6.5. Recognize and honour the contributions and intellectual property of others, only claiming ownership of my own material. I understand that a breach of this standard may subject me to legal remedy by a third party.
6.6. Share skills and knowledge with fellow members of Seonaidh Jamieson Coaching & Consulting Ltd to further increase the body of knowledge, skills, and competencies of such parties.
6.7. Continually review and reflect on our stances and update our actions and words in light of new information that warrants such a change.
4. Related Policies
You can view related policies here:
Privacy & Data Protection Policy
Complaints Policy
Environmental Policy
5. Agreement
As a Professional Coach, I acknowledge and agree to fulfil my ethical and legal obligations to my coaching clients, sponsors, colleagues, and to the public at large. If I breach any part of the code of ethics, I agree that my accrediting body will hold me accountable and I agree to their suggested interventions or actions.