​​Universal Coaching Alliance​

Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics

Why We Revised the Code

Why We Revised the Code

  • The following resources support your understanding and application of the UCA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics. Together, they are designed to provide both clarity and practical guidance, helping you translate ethical principles into everyday professional practice.

    The revised UCA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics
    The full, current version of the Code outlining the standards, expectations, and professional responsibilities applicable to UCA members and accredited practitioners.

    A clear summary of what changed and why
    An overview of the updates made in the latest revision, explaining the rationale behind key amendments and how they strengthen professional accountability, safeguarding, supervision, and governance.

    Explainer videos that bring key clauses to life
    Short, practical recordings designed to illustrate how specific clauses apply in real-world coaching contexts, including common ethical dilemmas and best-practice responses.

    Professional Will guidance
    Continuity planning is a key aspect of responsible practice. A Professional Will ensures that clients are protected and your practice can be managed ethically and appropriately in the event of illness, incapacity, or unexpected closure.

    Ethical Concerns and Complaints
    Clear answers to common questions about applying the Code, along with straightforward information on how to raise concerns or seek ethical guidance when needed.

    These resources are intended to ensure that the Code is not only read, but actively understood, reflected upon, and applied in practice.

Why this matters: 

The coaching field evolves — and ethical practice must keep pace. This revision strengthens expectations around client safety, technology use, supervision, safeguarding and professional accountability. It also clarifies areas that practitioners told us were hard to interpret in real-world practice.

What’s improved:

✔ Clearer expectations for professional conduct
✔ Better alignment with modern coaching practice (including technology and AI)
✔ Stronger safeguarding and continuity planning guidance
✔ Sharper conflict of interest standards
✔ Practical language coaches can use in contracts and client agreements.

Download the code
View the Executive Summary of Changes
Watch the Explainer Videos
Why a Professional Will is necessary
Ethical Concerns and Complaints

Explainer Videos

Introduction to the UCA Code of Ethics Review


This video introduces the UCA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, exploring its purpose and how it supports thoughtful, responsible decision-making in coaching practice.

Commitment to Professional Development in Coaching

This video highlights the importance of ongoing reflection, learning, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain high standards and deliver the best outcomes for clients.

The Power of Continuous Learning
for Coach Supervisors

This video explores how continued learning enables coach supervisors to remain relevant, effective, and responsive in an evolving professional landscape.

Understanding Confidentiality and Safeguarding in Coaching

This video explains how to create a safe, trusted coaching space while understanding the boundaries and limitations of confidentiality, including safeguarding responsibilities.

Upholding Integrity:
Duty to Report Unethical Conduct

This video explores the professional responsibility to address and, where necessary, report unethical conduct. It emphasises that raising concerns protects clients, colleagues, and the profession.

Client
Continuity


This video highlights the importance of continuity planning to protect clients if you are unable to continue practising.
Access the Professional Will Guide

Ethics, Technology and AI

This video explains how the Code applies to the use of technology and AI in coaching, including transparency, informed consent, data protection, and professional accountability.

Respectful and
Inclusive Language

This video explores the importance of using respectful, affirming language and remaining aware of bias to create inclusive, psychologically safe coaching relationships.

Organisational
Policies


This video outlines why understanding and adhering to relevant organisational policies and procedures supports ethical, compliant, and professional practice.

Ethical Coaching in Practice

This video shows how the principles of the Code translate into everyday coaching conversations, focusing on boundaries, ethical judgement, and reflective practice.

Supervision
What and Why

This video explains what supervision is and why it is essential to ethical practice, supporting accountability, professional growth, and client safeguarding.

Power of Continuous Learning

This video highlights how ongoing professional development strengthens ethical awareness and keeps coaching practice relevant, responsive, and effective.

Legal Duties and Safeguarding

This video explains the importance of understanding and complying with relevant legal and safeguarding responsibilities within your coaching practice. It highlights how staying informed protects clients, maintains professional standards, and supports ethical decision-making.
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Previous Versions and Archive

For transparency and historical reference, earlier editions of the UCA Code are available below.
These may be relevant for assessments, complaints, or accreditation activity that commenced under a previous framework.

UCA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics - February 2024

Why a Professional Will is Necessary

As part of the Universal Coaching Alliance’s continuing development of its Ethics and Governance framework — and its commitment to promoting excellence in coaching and coaching supervision — we are encouraging members to establish a Professional Will for their practice. As the profession matures and expectations of accountability increase, ethical foresight is becoming an essential component of responsible professional life.

A Professional Will is a thoughtful, practical document that sets out clear arrangements for the management of client records, ongoing coaching relationships, supervision commitments, data protection responsibilities and professional communications in the event of death, incapacity or unexpected absence. At its heart, it is an act of care — safeguarding client welfare, protecting confidentiality, and ensuring continuity of support during unforeseen circumstances.

Putting these arrangements in place is not merely administrative. It reflects responsible governance, aligns with the UCA’s revised Ethical Code, and demonstrates a commitment to duty of care, transparency and professional stewardship. By embedding this practice, members contribute to raising standards across the profession and strengthening public trust in coaching and coaching supervision.

This downloadable template provides structured guidance and prompts to help you create a clear, thoughtful, ethically grounded and proportionate document tailored to your practice context, legal jurisdiction and professional relationships. We recommend reviewing your Professional Will periodically and ensuring that any named professional executor or colleague is fully informed of their role.

Download this practical guidance document to help you to create a clear, ethically grounded Professional Will that safeguards your clients, protects confidentiality, and ensures continuity of your coaching practice in unforeseen circumstances.

 

Access the Professional Will Guide

Ethical Concerns and Complaints

UCA is committed to maintaining high professional and ethical standards across our community. Raising a concern is part of professional responsibility and helps protect clients, practitioners, and the integrity of the coaching profession.

If you believe the Code may have been breached, we encourage you to let us know so the matter can be considered carefully and appropriately.

We take ethical concerns seriously and aim to handle them fairly, promptly, and confidentially, following our published procedures and with respect for everyone involved.

Concerns can be submitted by email to:

info@universalcoachingalliance.org

Please include:

  • A clear description of the concern

  • Relevant dates and context

  • Any supporting documentation

Concerns should be raised as soon as reasonably possible after the event.

  • A Senior Team Member will conduct an initial review.

  • We will acknowledge your concern within 14 working days and confirm who is handling the matter.

  • We will keep you informed of progress.

  • We aim to conclude investigations within 28 working days, unless a different timeframe is agreed with you.

All concerns are considered carefully, proportionately, and without prejudice.

 

Concerns should normally be raised within 12 months of the event.

If more than 12 months have passed, we may not be able to investigate effectively. However, we will consider whether there was a reasonable explanation for the delay and whether a fair review is still possible.

 

If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may request a review.

A Director who has had no prior involvement in the matter will reconsider the decision independently.

We will confirm our final position in writing within 28 working days of receiving your request for review.

 

Important Note

If there is immediate risk of harm or a safeguarding concern, please contact relevant emergency or safeguarding authorities in your jurisdiction before contacting UCA.

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