What is the ICF ethics complaint process?

1. Complete the Decision Tree Questionnaire

To determine if your complaint fits into the Ethical Conduct Review Process, please first complete the Decision Tree Questionnaire.

2. Filing and Initial Review Complaint

Based on your responses to the Decision Tree Questionnaire, you will be prompted to file your complaint. The complaint must be filed within one year of the date of the alleged breach of conduct.

Once your complaint is filed, it is reviewed to ensure it falls within ICF’s authority. If it doesn’t, you will be notified. If it does, the coach in question will be notified with the complaint details and a chance to respond in writing.

3. Investigation

The coach and complainant are notified by ICF staff that an investigation is pending. A team of two or more Independent Review Board (IRB) members are appointed by the IRB vice chair of operations. The investigators are charged with collecting additional information and preparing a factual written report of their findings, which is provided to the IRB chair. This gathering of facts may include interviews with both the complainant and coach, as well as possible witnesses.

4. Final Review

A panel of at least three IRB members, referred to as the Final Review Panel,  is appointed by its vice chair of operations to review the investigators’ report. If needed, they may contact investigators for clarification. This panel will determine if a breach has occurred by a two-thirds majority vote. They also produce a final report that outlines the findings of the IRB, and this report is shared in full with the coach named in the complaint.

If a breach is confirmed, the Final Review Panel works with the coach to create a learning plan to address the issue. The coach may accept the findings and complete the learning plan, file for reconsideration, or refuse the findings. If the latter, the coach will automatically lose their membership or credential.

5. Reconsideration

If the coach does not accept the final determination, the coach may file for reconsideration if relevant information or evidence has been found that could potentially change the outcome. If reconsideration is granted, the complaint will be re-examined. The final determination will be provided in writing to the coach and will be final, subject only to review by ICF legal counsel.

If the decision that a breach occurred remains unchanged, and the coach still refuses to accept this decision, the coach will automatically lose their membership and/or credential.

The ethical review is a detailed and time-consuming process. To provide a diligent and fair review, completion times vary and could take several months. Every reasonable effort will be made to complete the process as promptly as possible.