An important aspect of having standards for membership is enforcing those standards. This provides security both for IBNLP members and for their clients.

The Global Code of Ethics sets out what the client can expect from the coach/mentor/consultant in either a coach/mentoring, training or supervisory relationship. It recognises that the primary responsibility of the coach/mentor/consultant is to provide the best service to the client and to act in such a way as to cause no harm to clients and sponsors. IBNLP recognises that there may be occasions when its members do not meet the requirements of the Global Code of Ethics. This procedure is designed to allow people to make complaints of professional misconduct by IBNLP Members and for such complaints to be properly investigated b IBNLP.

Informal Complaint

In the first instance IBNLP encourages any complaint to be directed to the individual or organisation concerned if this is reasonable and practicable to do so. If the matter is not resolved to the complainant's satisfaction in this way, then a formal complaint may be made, as described below.

Formal Complaint

A complaint can be investigated by IBNLP if:
• it is being made about a coach/mentor or organisation that is a member of the IBNLP
• the complainant has first approached the individual or organisation in question and sought to resolve the issue, or
bring about the necessary change in behaviour (as above)
• it is a matter relating to professional conduct
• the complaint is not being made anonymously
• the matter is not already the subject of court proceedings
• the alleged violation of the Code of Ethics should normally have taken place in the last 12 months or have been
reported no later than 6 months after the end of the coaching relationship.

Where a complaint is being made about a coach/mentor/consultant who is not a member of IBNLP, the complainant will be directly to a more appropriate organisation.

Making a Complaint

1. Contact IBNLP via the contact page on this website to advise that you wish to make a complaint. You will be contacted to give you an opportunity to present the details of your complaint in confidence.

2. Email the details of your complaint following the initial discussion so that the complaint can be recorded in your own words, to minimise any possibility of misunderstanding. You can share any supporting evidence at the this time

3. Your complaint will be investigated by a senior IBNLP member. 

4. If there is no evidence of a breach of the Code, or insufficient evidence to conclude that a breach has occurred, the complaint will not be taken further.

5. If there has been a breach of the Code, but of a minor nature. No formal action will be taken, but the IBNLP member will be asked to undertake corrective action, which may involve training and/or supervision.

An IBNLP representative will write to the complainant and the member named in the complaint setting out the decision within 14 days.

If the alleged complaint is considered a serious breach of the code of ethics, IBNLP will require the member to make a written response within 14 days of receiving notification of the alleged breach, together with corrective actions if appropriate

If the member's reply and corrective actions are not considered satisfactory, the member may be suspended or removed from the IBNLP register, and their authority to use IBNLP credentials and logos will be removed.

The decision will be communicated in writing to all concerned and will become effective immediately.

Appeals Procedure

Appeals will be investigated by three senior IBNLP members. A decision will be made within 4 weeks of receiving notification of the appeal and communicated to the parties in the case. The appeal's conclusion will be final and binding on all parties.