Professional Coaching Code: A Significant Step Towards Quality and Transparency in the Coaching Sector

Why a Professional Coaching Code of Conduct?

Approximately 100,000 coaches are registered with the Chamber of Commerce, but what makes a coach professional? How can clients ensure guarantees of the coach’s professionalism? The new code offers a clear quality standard for the coaching sector.

The Professional Coaching Code sets requirements not only for coaches but also for the organisations with which they are affiliated. As such, it provides a solid foundation for the professionalisation of the coaching profession.

Assurance of Professionalism

The participating organisations provide clients and and organisations a guarantee of professionalism, which includes four key assurances: 

• Ethical Code of Conduct: Coaches operate in accordance with an ethical code set by their professional organisation, which safeguards privacy and regulates conflicts of interest. Every coach signs this code of conduct upon joining.
• Independent Complaints Procedure: Clients can submit complaints about coaches to an independent complaints body within each professional organisation. This protection is unavailable for clients of coaches who are not affiliated with any professional body.
• Admission Criteria: Professional coaches meet strict entry requirements and participate in ongoing education and development.
• Verifiability: Affiliated coaches are listed on their respective organisation's websites, making it easy for clients to verify their professional status.

Call to Action

With the introduction of the Professional Coaching Code, it is crucial that this code receives broad recognition and implementation. The coaching organisations call on various groups to take action:

• Government and subsidies provider: We request that the government and subsidies providers, to formally recognise this code and only grant funding to coaches who demonstrate professional and transparent practices.
• Intermediaries: We encourage GPs, HR professionals, and coaching platforms to refer clients exclusively to coaches affiliated with one of the participating professional organisations.
• Coaches: We urge unaffiliated coaches to join a professional organisation. Doing so enhances their own professionalism and strengthens the reputation of the entire sector.

Future Scope

The Professional Coaching Code is intended as a dynamic document, open to updates and expansion. New professional organisations can join if they meet objective criteria, contributing to the continuous improvement of industry standards. With the Professional Coaching Code, we are taking a significant step towards greater professionalism in the coaching sector, benefiting clients in the long run. It is essential that this code is widely accepted and implemented by all involved parties.

Press Event: Day of the Coach 2024

The founding organisations will attend the Day of the Coach event to raise awareness of the code and engage with industry peers. The press will also have an opportunity to ask questions. The event will take place on Tuesday, 26 November, at the Reehorst in Ede.