Coaching Agreements, Contracting, and Scope of Practice
This domain tests whether you can set up an engagement that protects both parties: a clear written agreement, explicit roles, and a scope the coach can actually deliver.
What the agreement covers
- Roles and responsibilities of coach, client, and any sponsor.
- Logistics, fees, payment terms, cancellation, lateness, session length, and technology.
- Confidentiality, record-keeping, data storage, and how information is shared.
- Duration, review points, renewal, and termination by either party.
- Scope: what coaching is and is not, plus referral routes.
Contracting in business coaching
When an organization pays, use three-way contracting: agree with client and sponsor what is shared (themes versus content), in what form, and how often. The client's consent is explicit and can be withdrawn. Re-contract when goals, participants, or risk change; the agreement is a living document.
Worked example
A sponsor asks for weekly notes on the coachee's 'attitude.' The coach proposes instead: the client owns the goals; the sponsor receives attendance and a high-level progress summary agreed with the client; no session content is shared. Reasoning: the sponsor's legitimate need for return on investment is met without breaking confidentiality, and the agreement is amended in writing with all parties.
Traps
Letting the payer's contract silently override client confidentiality; vague scope that lets coaching slide into consulting; no termination or review clause; fees and cancellation terms left verbal; failing to re-contract when the client's needs change.