YCI Youth Coaching Competencies

An Evidence-Based, ICF-Aligned Framework

At the Youth Coaching Institute, we prepare coaches to support young people using an evidence-based, developmentally responsive coaching approach. Our Youth Coaching Competencies are adapted from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Core Competencies and integrated with our theory, model, and coaching approach.

This framework reflects our commitment to:

• Ethical, professional coaching

• Youth development and well-being science

• Clear scope of practice

• Coaching that builds agency, resilience, and lifelong skills

Our Evidence-Based Coaching Foundation

We define evidence-based coaching as:

“The intelligent and conscientious use of best current knowledge integrated with practitioner expertise in making decisions about how to deliver coaching to individual coaching clients and in designing and teaching coach training programs.”
— Grant & Stober, 2006, pg. 6

Our approach integrates:

• Best available research

• Professional coaching expertise

• The unique context, strengths, and goals of each young person

Definition of Youth Coaching

Youth coaching is a professional, evidence-based partnership in which trained coaches work collaboratively with young people in a thought-provoking, developmentally responsive, and strengths-based process that supports self-directed growth, well-being, and goal attainment.

Youth coaches use specialized education, training, and experience to:

• Assess developmental needs and contextual factors,

• Partner with youth to clarify values, aspirations, and goals,

• Facilitate insight, learning, and skill development,

• Support young people in designing and sustaining actions that enhance care, connection, and skills, and

• Empower youth to maximize their personal potential and capacity to navigate life, learning, and work.

Scope of Practice

Youth coaching honors the young person as the expert in their own life, supports autonomy and agency, and integrates best current knowledge with practitioner expertise. Coaching is non-clinical, non-diagnostic, and non-prescriptive, and is distinct from therapy, counseling, teaching, or healthcare services. When concerns exceed the scope of coaching, appropriate referrals are made.

Youth Coaching Competencies

1. Ethical, Developmentally-Responsive Practice

Coaches act with integrity, professional boundaries, and awareness of developmental needs.

• Adhere to the ICF, CCE, or NBHWC Code of Ethics and youth-serving ethical standards

• Maintain clear boundaries between coaching, therapy, teaching, and healthcare

• Respond appropriately to safety concerns and mandated reporting requirements

• Use language and expectations appropriate to age, culture, and context

2. Evidence-Based Coaching Mindset

Coaches embody a reflective, learning-oriented professional stance.

• View young people as capable, resourceful, and developing

• Apply well-being science and developmental research appropriately

• Engage in supervision, reflection, and ongoing professional growth

• Select coaching approaches intentionally based on client needs

3. Youth-Centered Agreements

Coaches partner with young people to clarify the purpose and outcomes of coaching sessions and engagements.

• Establish clear coaching agreements using accessible language

• Support youth in identifying session goals that matter to them

• Clarify roles, expectations, and boundaries

• Revisit and adjust goals as needs evolve

4. Trust, Safety, and Belonging

Coaches create conditions where youth feel safe, respected, and valued.

• Demonstrate empathy, respect, and cultural humility

• Support belonging, authenticity, and emotional safety

• Acknowledge feelings without analyzing or treating them

• Honor youth voice and autonomy

5. Presence and Developmental Attunement

Coaches remain fully engaged and responsive.

• Attend to verbal, emotional, and behavioral cues

• Adjust pacing and structure to match readiness and engagement

• Use silence, reflection, and curiosity skillfully

• Avoid over-directing while providing appropriate support

6. Active Listening in Context

Coaches listen to the whole young person within their environment.

• Reflect feelings, beliefs, strengths, and values

• Summarize and paraphrase to ensure understanding

• Consider influences from family, school, peers, and community

• Listen for needs related to care, connection, and skills

7. Insight Through Guiding, Not Telling

Coaches facilitate learning using a guiding, least-to-most approach.

• Ask open questions that expand perspective and awareness

• Use ask–tell–ask when sharing evidence-based information

• Encourage reflection, meaning-making, and choice

• Avoid advice-giving unless appropriate and permission-based

8. Growth Across Care, Connection, and Skills

Coaches support sustainable development and action.

• Help youth identify learning from each session

• Support self-selected next steps and accountability

• Build skills such as self-leadership, healthy coping, adaptability, and problem-solving

• Close sessions with clarity and continuity

Attribution & Alignment Statement

Attribution:
These Youth Coaching Competencies are adapted from the ICF Core Competencies (International Coaching Federation) and reflect the Youth Coaching Institute’s theory, model, and evidence-based coaching approach.

ICF® and International Coaching Federation® are registered trademarks of the International Coaching Federation. Use of these terms does not imply endorsement.

Interested in becoming a Youth Coaching Institute–trained coach?
Explore our ICF-aligned, evidence-based certification programs designed to prepare coaches to support youth and emerging adults with integrity, skill, and care.