ICF Certified Inclusive Coaching Diploma

Inclusive Coaching Diploma: Foundations, Ethics & Practice

For coaches who want inclusion to become a lived coaching competency. Because good intentions are not enough.

This diploma is designed for coaches working across all specialisms who want to strengthen their capacity to coach ethically, inclusively, and with greater awareness of power, identity, difference, and lived experience.

Inclusive coaching is emotionally complex work. It invites us to examine the assumptions, patterns, and filters we all develop through personal experience and the wider systems in which we live and work. These influences can remain invisible until moments of pressure, discomfort, uncertainty, or challenge, including within coaching conversations themselves.

This programme provides a structured, reflective, and professionally held space to explore those dynamics with curiosity, accountability, and care. The aim is not perfection, but developing the awareness, confidence, and practical skills to create coaching spaces that feel safer, more inclusive, and more effective for a wider range of clients.

Inclusive coaching requires knowledge, practice, reflection, and action.

Over 8 weeks you will develop the tools, frameworks, and coaching competencies needed to become a more confident and capable inclusive coach when working with individuals, teams, and groups.

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

Recognise how bias, assumptions, and social context can influence coaching conversations
Build greater confidence navigating difference and emotionally complex topics
Strengthen ethical decision-making through an inclusion lens
Create more psychologically safe coaching environments
Expand your coaching practice to better serve diverse clients and communities
Translate inclusive values into observable coaching behaviours

On successful completion of the diploma you receive 20x International Coaching Federation (ICF) Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours. These twenty hours may be used towards ICF credential applications and renewals (ACC, PCC, MCC).

(Currently awaiting ICF approval, expected August 2026.)

Students have the option to upgrade to an additional 10x CCEs. These comprise 7x hours of group and individual supervision, and 3x hours of the ICF Ethics Course. These additional ten hours can all be used for credential renewals.

“Good intentions” are no longer enough. It is time for action.

You are here because you care about inclusion. Your journey starts by recognising and accepting the parts of you that judge others based on past experiences and the systems within which we inhabit. Often, these judgments lay dormant until we are under pressure or interpret our bodily changes as fear. They can emerge in our coaching sessions and interrupt the flow.

This 8-week course provides the tools and education to become a competent and confident inclusive coach working with individuals, teams and groups.

Enrol anytime and gain immediate access to the syllabus and comprehensive resources. Zoom classes follow an 8-week rolling repeat programme throughout the year.

Coaching is a journey of continued training, reflective practice, ongoing personal and professional development. All levels of coaching experience are welcome. Applicants must already have coaching experience and be actively coaching.

I have a lot of DEIJB experience so for me my favourite thing was learning about the coaching aspect, but through the DEIJB lens. I really enjoyed the practice sessions and some of the conversations that were had during the zooms. I also enjoyed connecting with like-minded people and doing peer coaching outside of the main classes. And I like that it’s self-paced.

This programme welcomes all genders, sexualities, abilities, ages, and backgrounds. The diploma supports you and your clients in building and maintaining a business that prioritises diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging.

I am passionate about building a more inclusive world and a number of people have suggested that I may be a good coach. I was referred to speak with Ali by another coach and in speaking with Ali the course seemed very much aligned with both those areas.

Apply here or book a zoom call with the course lead here.

Inclusion is not an add-on. It is your daily commitment to a way of being and doing.

All live zoom classes run over 8 weeks. The syllabus is a self-paced online portal comprising videos, worksheets, community sharing, and resources lists. The additional online supervision sessions are run by an ICF MCC coach and for use over six months.

Are you passionate about promoting diversity, equity and inclusion?
Do you lead your life through the lens of a curiosity mindset?
Are you ready to provide a valuable service to individuals, businesses and society?

This course blends inclusive coaching and holistic life coaching. It provides an integrated model influencing all aspects of our professional and personal lives. Once you are signed up, you have lifetime access to this learning portal and you can enroll anytime.

I enjoyed both the live sessions and the online study. The online study exposed me to several different areas that I had not been exposed to here in the US, so I found it an especially rich learning experience.

This programme is more than education; it is shifting mindsets and changing vibrations.

Coaching is a lucrative career that will always be in demand. Committing to a training course accredited by ICF demonstrates your drive for excellence.

Ali brings a wealth of decades of experience in DEI work and applies it to coaching with depth and nuance, but also, somehow, accessibility and approachability for someone new to the conversations. As someone who has many years experience in DEI work, I still always learn something new in her sessions. She also brings a consistent curious mind to the work and is a voracious reader on the subject. Any student or mentee of Ali will leave with a nuanced understanding of DEI work and how to apply it to their own practice, as well as an amazing book list to continue independent learning!

Apply here or book a zoom call with the course lead here.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

I enjoyed the group sessions, hearing about the perspectives of others, really going deep into some areas such as how to practically build your business model was especially valuable to me as well. I also enjoyed when we would review content/articles and discuss this as a group.

Key Diversity & Inclusion Topics
Intuitive Questioning Skills Growth
ICF Core Competencies
Holistic Coaching Philosophy
Psychology in Action

Multi-Learning Approach

Interactive Live Zoom Classroom Training
Practical Exercises to Enhance Coaching
Coaching Skills Observation Sessions
Comprehensive Resources
Peer Practice Sessions
MCC-Quality Supervision

Every graduate feels equipped and supported to practice as an INCLUSION COACH providing a life-changing service to society and businesses.

I learned a great deal from the skills practice sessions – the individual coaching sessions were particularly valuable in terms of both participation feedback and observations.

As well as the online syllabus, live training sessions, resources, and supervision sessions, students receive DISCOUNTED MCC-quality individual coaching supervision for life. The course syllabus does not expire and you can sign up anytime.

There is great value and knowledge attending Ali’s zoom meetings. The awareness and education provided about inclusion, diversity and equity is invaluable. Things as minor as wording and how or what to say and when all the way up the ladder to corporate level’s understanding how to allow a safe and open environment for employees are some examples of what we learn with Ali. No two meetings are ever the same nor is the same material just repeated. Always something new and different to learn.

Apply here or book a zoom call with the course lead here.

COURSE CONTENTS

Core Competency Coaching Zoom Classes: 8x 60-minute classes (synchronous)
Inclusive Coaching Zoom Classes: 8x 30-minute classes (synchronous)
Online Syllabus: 6x levels including community sharing (asynchronous)
Peer Coaching: 2x peer coaching sessions between 20-45 minutes each, with one student of your choice from your cohort or any member of the AH Coaching & Training community platform. These are arranged at a mutually agreed time between students and you use the same student for both sessions. One of the sessions is recorded and submitted for your Case Study (asynchronous)
Case Study: 1500 words based on one of your Peer Coaching sessions (asynchronous)
Personal Reflection Statement: 500 words based on your personal learning journey (asynchronous)
Resource Sharing: 2x resources shared in the ICD Resources space, including one from the recommended booklist (asynchronous)

Re: the online syllabus. I thought this was particularly well organized and rich in new learnings for me; it covered areas I had not studied before, like relationship designs, for example, and some of the intersectionality and disability sections were great as well.

INTERNAL BUSINESS & EXECUTIVE COACHES

This course is for solopreneurs as well as internal coaches, and leaders using coaching methodology.

Strengthen Ethical Practices: Develop a deeper understanding of the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics when coaching across identity, culture, power, and difference. Learn how to navigate complex conversations with confidence, professionalism, and integrity.
Reduce Bias and Increase Self-Awareness: Explore the assumptions, filters, and biases that can influence coaching conversations. Through reflective practices such as supervision and peer discussion, you will increase your self-awareness and ability to coach more effectively across different perspectives.
Develop Inclusive Leadership Coaching Skills: Ideal for internal and external coaches working with leaders in global organisations. Learn how to support leaders navigating inclusion, belonging, culture change, diverse teams, and complex workplace dynamics.
Improve Coaching Effectiveness Across Diverse Intersectional Populations: ain practical tools and frameworks to better support clients from different backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. Enhance your ability to build trust, safety, and form meaningful partnerships with diverse clients. Become a culturally responsive, ethically aware coach, supporting clients, leaders, and teams in an increasingly diverse world.

SYLLABUS TOPICS

I appreciated all the additional resources and the self-pacing.

1. Identity, Power and Lived Experience

Inclusion starts with who is in the room, including the coach and client.

Key Learning Focus

Social identity, intersectionality, privilege & marginalisation
Power dynamics in coaching relationships

ICF Core Competencies Covered

CC2. Embodies a Coaching Mindset
CC3. Establishes and Maintains Agreements
CC4. Cultivates Trust and Safety

Applied Practice

Identity Mapping
Awareness Reflections
Contracting That Acknowledges Individual Differences

2. Inclusive Contracting & Psychological Safety

Coaching agreements and business boundaries are foundational to the safety and security of our practices.

Key Learning Focus

Co-creating practices that respect individual differences
Intentional vs Accidental Inclusivity
Valuing Boundaries

ICF Core Competencies Covered

CC3. Establishes and Maintains Agreements
CC4. Cultivates Trust and Safety

Applied Practice

Inclusive contracting templates
Intentional Inclusive Practices

3. Coaching Presence Through Somatic Regulation

Coaching presence is an embodied relational practice supported by nervous system regulation.

Key Learning Focus

Somatic trauma theories
Embodiment and settling practices
Relational accountability

ICF Core Competencies Covered

CC2. Embodies a Coaching Mindset
CC5. Maintains Presence
CC6. Listens Actively
CC7. Evokes Awareness

Applied Practice

Somatic Tracking
Settling & Resourcing
Working with activation in the session

4. Listening Beyond Dominant Systems

Deconstructing culturally dominant frames in order to value diversity.

Key Learning Focus

Cultural and trauma-aware listening
Interrupting assumptions and biases
What “presence” looks like across contexts

ICF Core Competencies Covered

CC5. Maintains Presence
CC6. Listens Actively

Applied Practice

Bias-in-listening exercises
Powerful communication practices
Somatic noticing

5. Coaching Across Difference & Rupture

Inclusion inhabits micro-moments and shows up when discomfort arises.

Key Learning Focus

Microaggressions and micro-affirmations in coaching
Naming harm without defensiveness
Effective repair

ICF Core Competencies

CC4. Cultivates Trust and Safety
CC6. Listens Actively
CC7. Evokes Awareness
CC8. Facilitates Client Growth

Applied Practice

Effective practices and tools
“Impact over intent” coaching moments
Sample Scripts

6. Ethical & Inclusive Practice Integration

Inclusive coaching is an ongoing conscious practice that requires internal and external input.

Key Learning Focus

ICF Ethics & inclusion
When coaching intersects with systemic harm
Ongoing learning, supervision, and accountability

ICF Core Competencies

CC1. Demonstrates Ethical Practice
CC2. Embodies a Coaching Mindset

Applied Practice

Ethical dilemmas
Personal inclusion action plans
Supervision-informed learning

DEI CONSULTANCY & TRAINING. Ali led and produced all the work on a large and complicated training project for the entire Army. With a training population of over 100, 000 she had to design, deliver and assure the quality of a £1M plus training programme. She undertook the in-depth research with exceptional insight and designed an interactive, stimulating and engaging set of events and sessions. She steered the programme through several years of delivery and her constant and contemporary development kept it at the forefront of thinking on the issue and the ways of communicating with everyone from senior leaders to the newest joiners. She had a large team of facilitators as well as delivery groups and had to run a continuous improvement project to assure quality and successful output. Her skill, enthusiasm and ability shone through and everything she did was characterized by originality, empathy and professionalism. Everyone learnt a lot from her input and found working with her a great pleasure as well as hugely rewarding. Mark Abraham OBE, British Army

Apply here or book a zoom call with the course lead here.

ZOOM CLASS TIMETABLE

The live zooms were definitely my favourite way of learning and practicing in real time. I really enjoyed the variety and learning about them all (coaching individuals, duos and groups) and the different skills and ways of working in different formations. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to witness and practice all of these types.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays | 4pm – 5.30pm UK Time Zone

Running across eight-week cycles during the year, with classes starting in Jan, April, Sept, Nov.

COURSE LEAD

Ali Hendry (she/her) MCC, BSc hons

Coaching. Certified DEIJB Coach (MCC) working with individuals, duos, teams and groups | Director of AH Coaching & Training | Course Director on ICF Certified Relationship Coach Training Course | Coach supervisor for ICF UK and The Coaching Catalysts

Psychology. BSc Honours Degree in Psychology. History: assistant psychologist to a clinical psychologist, taught undergraduate students at Guy’s & St. Thomas’ University Hospital, UK. More recently, teaching coaching and psychology at University of West London, UK.

Training. For twenty years I worked as an award-winning inclusion and communication skills trainer with organisations in the public, private, voluntary, and military sectors. I developed courses for CIPD training, BTEC Certificates, BA Honours Degrees, Masters Degrees, MOD CLMs and ALDPs. I occasionally run training on projects that light me up, including a recent team cohesion and group coaching programme for a London university arts department.

TEDx Speaker. “Survivor’s Guide to Jealousy” addresses how I learned to work though my jealousy on entering a non-monogamous relationship.

Podcasts & Conferences. Guest expert on many podcasts including award-winning The Divorce Social, Miracle Mindsets, and Write With Michelle. Panel events include Pride in London, L-Talent and Kingdom. Recent conferences I have presented at include the Relationship Super Conference and Healing Toxic Relationships Conference.

Educational Work. I volunteer as a “human book” for The Human Library where members of the public from across the world ask me questions about non-monogamy. I have developed a menopause awareness training programme for Bloody Good Employers, for rollout across the UK.

Performance. I created Short & Girlie Productions, a women’s theatre company in 1999 and for twenty years produced shows at Edinburgh Fringe, Brighton Fringe, and Camden Fringe. I taught drama and improvisation to a range of audiences, including marginalised families and neurodivergent children, and produced mini-festivals of plays by new women writers. I occasionally tread the boards as a drag queen for a bi-annual charity event!

Work/Life. Maintaining a work/life balance is paramount for myself, my family, my community, and my work. I prioritise my mental health and wellbeing. I love my weekly gym classes, coastal runs, and nature walks. I successfully co-parent my daughter, and we enjoy hanging out with our rescue cat. I read a book a week, usually a self-help relationship book, an educational book, or a memoir written by marginalised authors. Other parts of my identity include lesbian, non-monogamous, and twelve years sober. I work hard on examining my own filters as a cisgender, white, non-disabled woman in her 50s, and strive to present accessible and inclusive content and work projects. And I don’t always get it right.

COURSE EDITOR

This course is edited by Jaï Bristow (they/them), a multiethnic, queer, disabled, neurodivergent DEI Coach & Consultant, Creator of Power, Privilege, & Prejudice Workshops, and host of the Beyond Boxes with Jaï Bristow Podcast. Please contact Jaï directly for information on how to work with them.

COURSE ASSESSOR

This course is assessed by Usha Puri-Dewage (she/her), a multiethnic, intersectional, Anthropologist, Culture, Leadership & Executive Systems Coach, Speaker & Consultant. She is the founder of UP R.I.S.E. Consultancy and the SHI[F]T Happens programme and is focussed on embedding relational inclusion and supportive cultures and behaviours through the lens of individuals, teams and organisations. Please contact Usha directly for information on how to work with her on an individual, SLT or organisational basis.

OVERVIEW & INVESTMENT

30 hours of training comprising:

12 hours of live zoom classes
8 self-study hours on the online self-paced syllabus, peer coaching, personal reflection
7 hours of MCC-quality supervision in groups and individually
3 hours of ICF ethics training

Pricing For Diploma & Supervision

Early Enrolment discount: £800 when paying by 1st August 2026 (30x CCEs)

£2000 from 2nd August 2026

Interest-free payment plans available

Pricing for Diploma Only

Early Enrolment discount: £400 (20x CCEs)

Supervision may be added at a later date (fee tbc)

Apply here or book a zoom call with the course lead here.

FAQ

How long will it take to complete this course?

This programme is a mix of self-study and live training zooms covering education, debate, anecdotal learning, exercises, practice coaching, observing coaching, and community sharing.

It takes a minimum of 8 weeks (diploma) and a maximum of 6 months (diploma and supervision).

You can register anytime and start working on the syllabus, with the zoom classes commencing in Jan, April, Sept and Nov every year. The supervision sessions are for use over six months.

Do you do payment plans?

Yes. There is an interest-free payment plan available.

Are there any other savings?

Yes. Students receive a 20% discount on any additional individual supervision sessions (aside from those provided in the diploma) with an MCC-quality coach.

Do I need to know anything about coaching prior to starting?

Yes, you need to have completed (or be completing) a coach training course and be actively coaching.

Can I make an income out of coaching?

Yes. Be prepared for this to take time. Since lockdown the number of coaches training has skyrocketed, so it is worth thinking about what will make your coaching practice unique. What skills and experiences make you stand out from the crowd?

During the course you will be encouraged to build on your established skills, experiences, and knowledge, to develop a practice that is bespoke to you.

You have access to coach supervision to support your business’s growth. Here’s a blog I wrote about Finding Your Coaching Niche.

Does this course expire?

Yes and no! You have 2 months to complete the syllabus and 6 months to complete the supervision sessions. You also have lifetime access to the syllabus.

The zoom classes must be completed over a 8-week period following the date you sign up. Once you have received your diploma you are always welcome to pop into classes anytime, for free.

Can i join anytime?

Yes. The classes reset four times each year. The syllabus is available immediately on signing up.

Do you have any low-cost places for marginalised groups?

Yes. AH Coaching & Training follow pioneering practices for marginalised and intersectional communities. Contact Ali for more information.

Can I continue to work full-time and still complete this course?

Yes.

What is the age range?

18 years old up to any age!

I am neurodivergent, what support can you offer me?

We welcome all abilities in our cohorts. Speak to the course lead in advance so they can make adjustments that suit your learning style.

Is this course only available in English?

Currently yes.

I have children in the house, can they be in the background while I’m attending zooms?

ICF requires that you are on camera where possible. If you do not wish to put your camera on you are required to remain active via audio or in the chat box. Please wear a headset as some topics discussed are of an adult nature.

Can I be driving or walking while listening to the classes?

ICF requires that you are on camera where possible, and for your device to be in a stable position (otherwise participants can feel seasick from the moving video!) If you do not wish to put your camera on you are required to remain interactive via audio or the chat box. Assess whether you can give full attention to the classes.

What proof do I get on completion?

All graduates receive a diploma and a button for your website and social media platforms.

Can I use this course for obtaining insurance for my coaching business?

Yes this is certainly true in the UK. You can use this course to support your application for professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

What does it mean “awaiting approval” regarding the ICF hours?

The diploma is rigorously assessed by ICF to ensure it fulfils all the requirements of producing accredited ICF hours. This takes around 8 weeks, and we are currently within this timeframe. Ali has already secured ICF hours for her ICF Certified Relationship Coach Diploma and has invested in DEI coach experts who provided their input for the inclusive coaching diploma.

What is the value of having a certification that includes ICF hours?

This course is approved by the International Coaching Federation. ICF coaches run their practices aligned with a code of conduct and ethics standards. Coaching is not currently regulated, but is expected to come in the next couple of years.

ICF is the largest coach membership organisation in the world and will soon be utilized for the regulation of coaches, hence jumping onboard now with your ICF hours will serve you and your business as proof of accountability.

You can count your 30 x ICF hours from this course towards obtaining or renewing a credential (ACC, PCC, MCC).

I’m still confused about certifications, credentials, and accreditations

It’s not surprising, this can feel like learning a whole new language!

CERTIFICATION/DIPLOMA. issued by a training organisation, in this case AH Coaching & Training, demonstrating competency in a topic.
ACCREDITATION. We recommend you invest your time and money in gaining a coaching certificate from a reputable provider that is accredited by a recognised coaching body, there are several bodies and ICF is the largest. There are thousands of coach training organisations that are not accredited because they don’t have to! An accreditation is the award issued to a training organisation by a coaching body such as ICF.
CREDENTIAL. AH Coaching & Training is accredited by ICF to issue CCEs. Credentials are issued by coaching bodies like ICF (the largest coach membership organisation in the world) and demonstrate a gold standard commitment to excellence.

There are 3 levels of credential you can obtain with ICF. Each level requires you to complete more coaching hours, and more training hours. You also have to complete an online exam, 10 coach mentoring hours, and have coaching recordings assessed. Credentials demonstrate your commitment to professionalism.

Level 1 is ACC (associate certified coach)
Level 2 is PCC (professional certified coach)
Level 3 is MCC (master certified coach

And this is the confusing bit, even though ICF uses the word “certified” in the description of the levels, these are credentials!

If I want to do a credential what is the procedure?

For each credential you need to do an online exam, complete 10 hours of coach mentoring, and complete a certain number of training hours and coaching hours

ACC: 100 coaching hours (at least 70 from paid clients), 60 coach training hours
PCC: 500 coaching hours (at least 450 from paid clients), 125 coach training hours
MCC: 2500 coaching hours (at least 2250 from paid clients), 200 coach training hours

What happens if I start the course and realise it is not for me?

Once you have made your first payment towards the course you are given full access to the syllabus. Tthere is no refund*. If you are following a payment plan this will still need to be completed regardless of whether you complete the course or not.

*You have a two week period on making your first payment to withdraw, no questions asked.

Why are there student quotes and yet September 2026 is the first cohort?

Ali ran an ICF Certified DEIJB Specialisation cohort in 2024 affiliated with Radiant Coaches Academy, and co-designed by Margie “Emme” Whyte (she/her).

The quotes relate to this course, and to individual work carried out by Ali.

The ICF Certified Inclusive Coaching Diploma includes parts of the course designed by Ali, with additional elements added in response to the changing needs of learners. The course has been edited by Jaï Bristow (they/them) and a number of student assessors.

READY TO COMMIT?

Apply here or book a zoom call with the course lead here.

What would you say to somebody who is considering studying for the DEIJB training? “Go for it!“

This is a great course, very rich in content and practical guidance. The group sessions and opportunity to do skills practice are very valuable, and the coaching received during the group work and one-on-one is excellent.

Ready to commit? Email Ali to join the waiting list or Apply here or book a zoom call with Ali.