Code of Ethics

Every coach/counsellor, who is awarded a diploma at the Academy for Coaching and Counselling, endorses and adheres to the Code of Ethics, as stated below, and commits himself to the following principles in practising their profession as a coach/counsellor.

For the sake of simplicity and readability, we only use the term ‘coach’ in the text below. However, with the term ‘coach’, we intend to refer to both ‘coach’ and ‘counsellor’.

The Academy for Coaching and Counselling (ACC) strives for a world in which people use their talents to bring out the best in themselves and others. ACC-coaches guide their clients through a process which focuses on getting the best out of those clients and their lives. This Code of Conduct aims to safeguard the well-being and safety of those clients.

With regards to its own activities, the ACC adheres to the NRTO Code of Conduct, in addition to this Code of Ethics.

A coach treats everyone with respect and integrity based on the principle of equality. This means that a coach is impartial, does not discriminate and does not exclude anyone on the grounds of gender, race, orientation or other. The coach is the instrument through which people can find themselves and their path in life. They guide people, keeping in mind that every person follows their own path and knows what is good for themselves. By promoting awareness, the coach helps contribute to a liveable world for people, animals and the environment.

Two of the most important values for a coach are integrity and confidentiality. Clients must be able to trust that a coach will comply with the agreements made and will follow through with what they say they will do.

Information shared with a coach is treated with the utmost care and confidentiality. The coach knows the rules that apply to conducting independent practice and adheres to these rules. Information and data concerning a client are only shared with third parties after prior written consent by the client. Only anonymised information regarding a student is shared with others during intervision meetings or supervision. In situations where Dutch law requires information about the client to be shared, the coach will always discuss this with the client beforehand or, in the event that the client has passed away, with their relatives.

The coach provides a suitable and safe space for guidance to take place in. If coaching takes place outdoors or while travelling, information about insurance requirements will be given in advance.

The coach informs the client of the terms and conditions of coaching before in advance. These terms and conditions continue to apply after the coaching process has come to an end. The coach complies with Dutch law and with general norms regarding culture and decency. If applicable, he also informs the client of the relevant laws and regulations.

Coaching and counselling take place on the basis of equality. Nevertheless, dependence and vulnerability on the client’s part can arise in the coach-client relationship. A coach is aware of this and will in no way break the client’s trust.

A coach refrains from coaching people in his personal network and also from coaching multiple people who are in the same network as each other, when conflicts of interest due to interpersonal relationships may arise. It is not permitted to enter into a personal relationship with the client during the coaching process. It is forbidden to engage in any intimate activity or sexual contact with a client, both during the coaching process and for up to 6 months after it has ended. This also applies to the client’s parents/guardians, in case the client is a minor.

The coach is aware of his own competence, and does everything he can to continue to develop in the profession. The coach is aware of the limits of  his competence and refers clients to other care providers if the client’s needs exceed the limits of the coach’s competence, to warrant appropriate care.

Students/coaches treat each other and their individual opinions and identities with respect. If a student/coach has reason to believe that another student/coach is acting unethically in their contact with a client, he or she will broach the subject with the student/coach in question. If this does not produce the desired result, it can be reported to a teacher at the Academie voor Coaching en Counselling, who will discuss the issue with the student/coach in question.

This Code of Conduct takes effect as per January 1, 2019. Suggestions for changes can be submitted to the management of the ACC, by sending an email to legal@counselling.nl. After a change is made, it will be published on the ACC website and in the ACC newsletter.