Coaching disclaimer/terms and conditions
The coaching disclaimer and terms and conditions outlined below define the relationship between Coach and Client and underpin any services delivered by Valerie Dryden trading as Outraged Racoon Coaching®. Please make sure you read the following carefully and if you have any questions or queries then please send them by email to outragedracooncoaching@gmail.com.
Payment of any invoice issued by the Coach constitutes the Client’s acceptance of these terms and conditions in full, including the disclaimer below.
Disclaimer
I understand that I am solely responsible for my own physical, mental, and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions, and results arising from the coaching relationship. Accordingly, I agree that the Coach is not and will not be liable for any actions, inaction, or direct or indirect results of the services provided.
I acknowledge that coaching is not a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, or medical advice, and that the Coach is not acting as a medical professional or mental health counsellor. Coaching does not diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any mental disorder or medical condition. For legal purposes, I understand that coaching is an unregulated industry and that my Coach and their business are not “licensed” by any UK body.
I understand that coaching is a process designed to support me in achieving the goals I set with my Coach, but that results are not guaranteed. Where our work involves career or business matters, I understand that no promises are made regarding specific outcomes, including (but not limited to) increased clientele, profitability, or business success.
I understand that my Coach will treat my information as confidential, subject to the exceptions set out in this agreement, and that the use of technology (including email, text, phone, and video conferencing) carries inherent risks to confidentiality which I accept.
Terms and conditions
Description
The Coach is ILM-qualified and adheres to the professional standards of ILM and City & Guilds. In addition, their practice is guided by the Global Code of Ethics for Coaches and Mentors (AC/EMCC), ensuring professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity in all sessions.
Coaching is a partnership (an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client. It is a thought-provoking and creative process designed to inspire the Client to maximise personal and professional potential.
Coaching is a collaborative conversation focused entirely on the Client’s agenda. Through questions and reflection, coaching helps the Client gain clarity, discover their own answers, and take meaningful action. The process is supportive, challenging where needed, and non-judgmental.
Coaching may explore different areas of the Client’s life, including work, finances, health, relationships, education and recreation. Responsibility for all decisions and actions in these areas rests solely with the Client.
Responsibilities
The Client is responsible for their own physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, as well as for all decisions, choices, actions, and results. The Coach is not, and will not be, liable for any actions, inaction, or outcomes arising from the coaching relationship.
All decisions made by the Client during or after the coaching relationship are the Client’s own. Questions, observations, and reflections offered by the Coach are coaching tools, not instructions, recommendations, or professional advice. The Client is solely responsible for evaluating any input from the Coach and for any action taken as a result.
The Client understands that coaching is not therapy and does not substitute for counselling, medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Where such expertise is required, the Client will seek independent professional guidance.
The Client agrees to communicate honestly, be open to feedback, and commit the necessary time and energy to participate fully in the coaching process.
The Coach holds professional indemnity insurance covering claims of negligence, breach of confidentiality, and defamation, and public liability insurance with a £2M limit.
Services
Coaching sessions will be arranged flexibly between the Coach and the Client, with each session bookable up to one month in advance by email or text. The Coach may recommend a frequency of sessions based on a professional assessment of the Client’s needs; this recommendation is not binding and may be adjusted by mutual agreement throughout the coaching journey.
Additional sessions may be agreed after completion of the initial arrangement. These terms and conditions will apply to all sessions, and the Per Session Fee will remain as originally agreed unless the Coach notifies the Client in writing of any change, in line with the section headed Variation of Terms and Conditions.
Clients who have concerns about any part of this agreement should raise them with the Coach before the first session. Payment of an invoice for any session, bundle, or programme constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
Session expiry
Sessions purchased as part of a bundle or programme must be used within the following periods from the date of purchase:
- The Campaign (3 sessions): 3 months
- The Advisory: Monthly sessions expire at the end of each calendar month and cannot be carried forward or refunded.
Sessions not used within these periods lapse without refund. Extensions are not available as a matter of course, but may be considered at the Coach’s sole discretion in exceptional circumstances.
Booking notice
Sessions must be booked with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. Requests to book a session with less than 48 hours until the proposed start time may not be accommodated and do not constitute a confirmed booking until accepted by the Coach.
Non-transferability
Bundles and programmes are purchased for a named individual Client only. Sessions may not be transferred to, shared with, or used by any other person.
Pausing a bundle or programme
Bundles and programmes do not have a pause facility as a standard feature. If exceptional circumstances arise (such as a serious medical situation), the Client may contact the Coach to discuss options. Any arrangement to extend or pause a bundle is entirely at the Coach’s discretion and must be agreed in writing before the original expiry date.
Fees
All fees are VAT exempt. In return for the fees payable by the Client (or by a third party acting on the Client’s behalf), the Coach will provide the services described in this agreement, in accordance with its terms and conditions.
Engineering manager coaching
| Per session rate | Bundle/programme price | |
|---|---|---|
| The Decisive Hour (single session) | £350.00 | — |
| The Campaign (block of 3) | — | £800.00 (save £250) |
Reduced rates may be agreed on a discretionary basis for self-funding clients. Get in touch to discuss.
The Advisory retainer
The Advisory operates on a fixed monthly structure. Clients receive:
- Weeks 1 and 3: one email update sent by the Client. The Coach will respond by email within 3 working days with either a brief acknowledgement or up to 3 questions or observations. Email responses are not extended written coaching sessions.
- Week 4: one 30-minute call, booked by email at a mutually convenient time.
- Week 2: no scheduled contact. This is intentional working time for the Client.
Questions and observations offered by the Coach in response to Advisory emails are coaching tools, not instructions or professional advice. All decisions and actions taken by the Client remain solely the Client’s own responsibility.
The Advisory does not include additional calls, WhatsApp or other messaging, ad hoc emails outside the above structure, or any other form of synchronous or asynchronous contact beyond what is described here. Emails sent outside the week 1 and 3 structure will not receive a substantive response within the retainer.
The Advisory is billed monthly a £250. Either party may cancel with written notice, effective from the following billing month.
Procedure
Coaching sessions will take place virtually at times mutually agreed between the Coach and the Client. A calendar invitation with a Google Meet link will be provided for each session.
Confidentiality
All information (documented or verbal) shared by the Client in coaching sessions will be treated as confidential, though the coaching relationship is not a legally privileged relationship (as in medicine or law).
The Coach will not disclose any information about the Client without the Client’s written consent, and will not use the Client’s name as a reference without permission. Confidential information does not include information that:
- (a) was in the Coach’s possession before being provided by the Client;
- (b) is already public or generally known within the Client’s industry;
- (c) is obtained by the Coach from a third party without obligation to the Client;
- (d) is independently developed by the Coach without reference to the Client’s information; or
- (e) must be disclosed by law, court order, or subpoena.
Exceptions to confidentiality also apply where there is imminent risk of harm to the Client or others, or where illegal activity is disclosed.
In line with professional ethics, topics may be anonymously and hypothetically shared with other coaching professionals for training, supervision, mentoring, or professional development.
Personally identifiable data will only be used for invoicing and direct contact with the Client and will not be shared with third parties. Session notes and records will be retained securely for up to six months after the coaching relationship ends, unless otherwise agreed.
Cancellation and lateness
The Client must notify the Coach by text or email at least 48 hours in advance if unable to attend a scheduled session. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, or missed without notice, will be billed in full. The Coach will wait up to 10 minutes before recording the session as missed.
Exceptions may be made at the Coach’s discretion for circumstances outside the Client’s control. Sessions booked within 48 hours of their scheduled time remain payable if cancelled.
Session length will not be extended if the Client arrives late.
If the Coach needs to cancel or reschedule a session, the Client will be notified as soon as reasonably practicable and the session will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time at no additional charge. No session is forfeited as a result of a cancellation initiated by the Coach.
Payment terms
Invoices are issued by email after each session or, for bundles and programmes, after the first session takes place. Invoices are payable within 7 days via the payment methods specified on the invoice.
For The Advisory retainer, invoices are issued monthly.
Where multiple single sessions occur within the same month, fees may be grouped into a single invoice issued at month end.
Refunds
Refunds are not available on a per-session basis since invoices are sent after sessions have completed and service has been delivered.
Where a Client cancels a bundle or programme part way through, a refund will be issued within 14 days of written cancellation notice. The refund is calculated by deducting the full single-session rate for each session already delivered from the amount paid, and refunding the remainder. Sessions that lapse due to expiry are not refundable.
For The Advisory, no refund is due for a month already invoiced.
This does not affect your statutory rights.
Termination
Either the Client or the Coach may terminate this agreement at any time.
The Coach also reserves the right to terminate services early in certain circumstances, such as illness, bereavement, other personal commitments, inappropriate behaviour by the Client, a conflict of interest, or other reasonable grounds. Where practicable, the Client will be given reasonable notice of such termination.
Where the Coach terminates a bundle or programme and sessions have been invoiced, a refund will be issued within 14 days of termination. The refund is calculated by deducting the full single-session rate for each session already delivered from the amount paid, and refunding the remainder.
Variation of terms and conditions
These terms and conditions may be updated by the Coach at any time. The current version will always be available on the Coach’s website and applies from the date of publication. It is the Client’s responsibility to review the terms periodically.
Material changes that affect commercial terms (including, without limitation, per-session fee, session duration, cancellation window, late-payment charges, refund rules, and block-booking terms) will be notified to the Client in writing (e.g. by email) and will only apply to sessions booked after the effective date stated in the notice. Sessions already booked (or paid) before that effective date will remain on the previous terms.
Failure to enforce any part of this agreement does not constitute a waiver of the right to enforce the same or any other part in future.
Limited liability
Except as expressly provided in this agreement, the Coach makes no guarantees or warranties, express or implied. The Coach will not be liable for any indirect, consequential, or special damages.
The Client’s sole remedy for any claim under this agreement shall be limited to the total amount paid by the Client to the Coach for services delivered up to the date of termination.
Governing law
This agreement is governed by the law of Scotland, and the Scottish courts have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute, proceeding, or legal claim relating to the services provided or this contract.
This document constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior written or oral representations regarding its subject matter.
Feedback
Feedback about the service is welcomed and can be given during a coaching session or by emailing outragedracooncoaching@gmail.com.
