What to Put in a Coaching Agreement

The Conversation Before the Work Begins

Most coaching relationships start well. Two people align on the problem, the energy is good, and you both leave the first discovery call feeling genuinely excited. Then a few sessions in, questions emerge. How many sessions are included? What happens if they need to reschedule? Does this cover WhatsApp messages between calls?

A good coaching agreement answers all of these before they become awkward to raise. It's not about protecting yourself from bad clients — it's about giving both of you clarity so you can focus on the actual work.

The Core Elements

Scope and deliverables. What does this engagement include? If it's a 12-week programme with six sessions, say so. If it includes a private messaging channel or session recordings, include that. If it doesn't include unlimited email access, be clear about that too.

Session format and scheduling. How long are sessions? How are they booked? What platform? What happens if the client cancels late or doesn't show?

Payment terms. The price, when it's due, and what happens if a payment is missed. If you offer a payment plan, include the structure. If your price is fixed regardless of early termination, note that.

Cancellation and rescheduling. A minimum notice period for cancellations (typically 24-48 hours) and how many reschedules are included without charge. After that, what's the policy?

Confidentiality. You keep client sessions confidential; they keep your materials and methods confidential. Simple, but worth stating.

What You Don't Need to Overcomplicte

You don't need to cover every edge case. A coaching agreement is a professional document, not a legal contract — it sets expectations clearly and gives you something to refer back to if things get complicated.

Keep the language plain. "You'll pay £X at the start of each month" is clearer than three sentences about invoicing schedules and payment processing windows.

The Bit Most Coaches Skip

One paragraph that often gets left out: what coaching is, and what it isn't. Specifically — that you're a coach, not a therapist, financial adviser, or legal expert. That your client is responsible for their own decisions. That the work is collaborative and the outcomes depend on both parties.

This isn't just legal protection. It's part of the coaching relationship itself — setting the frame for a partnership rather than a service transaction.

A Template Takes the Blank-Page Problem Away

If you're writing your first agreement, or updating one that's grown out of date, starting from a solid template means you focus on personalising rather than drafting from scratch. Professional coaching agreement templates, ready to use — from £29/yr.