Regulatory Background
A Regulatory Committee was formed in 2003 with the prerequisite target of evaluating, researching, and monitoring to enable the IIC to become a major contributor to government and regulatory bodies in Europe. The intention of the committee and therefore the IIC is to encourage standards by educating and developing the emergent profession of coaching in all its varieties as a self-regulated profession with the support of an established institute. The regulatory committee held face to face, telephone and internet based meetings held over a twelve month period.
The initial actions of the regulatory committee involved the appointment of an International Head of Standards and Ethics, and also the agreement that there should be National Country Heads of Standards and Ethics. Each country head would be responsible for the dissemination and regulation of coaching within their jurisdiction, reporting into the International Head of Standards and Ethics. Members were invited to contribute to the discussions.
A discussion document, on the ethics and standards the IIC and its membership are required to aspire to, was produced and circulated. The regulatory committee finally agreed and the IIC committed to continuing the promotion of coaching as a distinct profession. The IIC is also committed to the reinforcement of the coaching profession's self-governance model. Any and all Interested IIC members are welcome to participate and contribute to our Regulatory Ideals.
Currently there are no licensing requirements for Coaches, nor for the coaching profession at this time. The IIC definition of coaching means it does not come under any Mental Health/Behavioural Health Distinctions nor does it fit into the Therapy or Counselling realm.
The IIC recognised standards of professionalism, excellence, and our code of ethics establishes a robust foundation of self-governance within the coaching profession.
IIC coaches and members who have been accredited by the IIC fall under this governance. Coaches who are not IIC members or accredited coaches, yet use the title of coach, are not subject to the same rigorous standards of professionalism.
The Importance of Self-Governance
Since coaching was introduced in Europe in 1999 there has been an increase in interest and enquiries by members and others regarding the monitoring of coaching by a regulatory body/organisation. Coaching professionals have an essential responsibility to ensure they are trained and qualified, and have a professional responsibility which extends beyond the individual practices, personal preferences and should favour what will best serve the professional coaching community as a whole. Self-governance is the keystone of this professional responsibility.
The IIC is working towards the recognition of our distinct profession by extolling professional standards/competencies, dissemination of knowledge and wisdom within our profession, accredited training, accrediting standards, and honourable procedures. The IIC is committed to encouraging coaching professionals to reflective and active continuing of professional growth and development. The risk to all coaching professionals if we ignore our professional responsibilities is that coaching will become aligned to the rules and regulations of another profession which does not fully understand the remit of coaching. To restrict the growth of anyone calling themselves a "coach," without undergoing training or accreditation will enhance the our coaching as a valued and enduring profession. The IIC is making a stand for the self-governance and professionalism within the coaching profession.
The Regulatory committee is supported by the efforts of the IIC Board, committees, international representatives, and member coaches. The self governance of coaches includes the following areas:
- Ongoing Self-Regulation initiatives to pursue the growth and development of individuals and organizations which demonstrate an active commitment to meaningful professional self-governance.
- Professional Credentialing of Core Competencies which defines a required skill set for a professional coach, establishing a foundation for the examination and accreditation for coach training programs.
- A Code of Ethics to which IIC Members and IIC Accredited Coaches undertake a commitment and agree to individual accountability to the IIC's standards of professional conduct.
- Coach Accreditation, an examination and review process where coaches need to demonstrate their proficiency, skills, and competency. Clearly documented and recorded occurrence of these skills and proficiency in deliverance of coaching core competencies. Accreditation requires Continued Professional Development records. Also a periodic renewal of all coaching accreditation will ensure continued professional growth and development.
- Professional Supervision through the IIC's ethics and standards procedures will allow the public and the profession to report professional conduct concerns for an objective investigation, follow-up and disciplinary action if deemed necessary.
- Professional Coach Training Accreditation, all coach training programs submit to the IIC will undergo a stringent review and continuing oversight to ensure the
providers demonstrate their commitment to the IIC's highest standards for
curricula, with embody the IIC's core competencies, proficiency and ethics to
support and sustain excellence within the training of professional coaches.
Your Involvement
For coaching to continue to grow as a respected and lasting profession, you need to actively participate in its development. There are some things you can do to demonstrate your commitment and support your fellow Coaches .
- Become a member of the IIC and contribute both locally, nationally, Europe wide, and internationally.
- As a member, review the code of ethics and standards, along with the core
competencies making sure your actions and practice reflect the ethos of the IIC.
Contribute to your local, National, International and virtual IIC
communities.
- Keep your training and skills to the high quality expected of professional coaches.
- Include the IIC logo and any accreditation you have attained in all your marketing
to publicly demonstrate your commitment to coaching professionalism.
- Gradually more government organisations, private clients and corporations are calling for IIC accreditation as the standard for the Coaching profession.
- If you are not an IIC accredited coach, consider the benefits of Europe wide recognition and the impact it will have on any international clients you may have.
- Members of IIC please display your membership and accreditation and promote it on your business card, brochure, website and all your marketing. It will promote
you as a consummate professional and also promote your institute and representational body.
- Actively encourage non-members to join the IIC and in so doing, explain to them they are committing themselves to the ethics and standards that enhance and protect the integrity of the coaching profession and at the same time it offers protection to coaching clients.
- Contribute to the IIC newsletter with case studies, anecdotes and inspirational
stories.
The IIC is making a stand for the self-governance and professionalism within the coaching profession and is ardent about ensuring coaching is seen and recognised as a distinct profession, and to maintain our self-governance status. We welcome and encourage interested members to participate in IIC Regulatory objectives.
Regulatory Issues in Coaching
The Aims of the IIC Regulatory Committee:
The aim of the regulatory committee and therefore the IIC is to encourage high standards of coaching by educating and developing the emergent profession of coaching in all its varieties as a self-regulated profession with the support of an established institute.
Summary of the IIC Regulatory Committee
It is not the committee's intent to focus on coaching versus therapy, counselling, and psychotherapy however, this is an area of concern faced by some coaches. The IIC and the wider coaching community understands the distinction between coaching, therapy, counselling, and psychotherapy. There may be some concern within the legislative community around a fear coaches could be practicing therapy without training or license. It is part of the IIC overall aims to promote understanding and clarity of the role of the coach versus the role of therapeutic interventional professions.
The profession of coaching has grown exponentially since its introduction into Europe in 1999 and unfortunately not all coaches are trained professionals within the field. The IIC regulatory committee is satisfied with the benchmark Code of Ethics, Complaint Process and Accreditation Process of the IIC and believe they present a basis for self-regulation. However, only those coaches who are members of the IIC publicly adhere to our stated form of self-regulation.
The Legislators remit
It is the remit of the regulatory committee's legislator to "uphold the safety of the public." A question the legislator needs to ask is 'could coaching pose a risk to the general public because it is unregulated and unlicensed?' The IIC needs to ensure that not only coaches recognise the distinction between coaching and therapy, counselling, and psychotherapy but that the public and other professions become familiar with the distinction. The aim of the IIC is to set the framework and ring fence coaching as a distinct profession with recognition across Europe.
Future Actions:
- Recruit National Heads of Country Internationally, as well as all the European States.
- Establish a Regulatory Representative of the IIC Regulatory Committee to work
with the National Heads of Country.
- Facilitate regular updates from Regulatory Committee to enable all countries to
stay up-to-date with issues/regulatory concerns across Europe.
- Facilitate discussion with the larger coaching community.
|
Contact Details 