Principles and Values

Working with children is a very rewarding job and makes an impact on young lives.

These principles and values must underpin everything you do whilst working with the children and their families. 

• The welfare of the child and young person is paramount
• Staff contribute to children’s care, learning and development, and safeguarding; this is reflected in every aspect of practice and service provision  
• Staff work with parents and families who are partners in the care, learning and development and safeguarding of their children, recognising they are the child’s first and most enduring carers and educators
• The needs, rights and views of the child are at the centre of all practice and provision
• Individuality, difference and diversity are valued and celebrated
• Equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice are actively promoted
• Children’s health and well-being are actively promoted
• Children’s personal and physical safety is safeguarded, whilst allowing for risk and challenge as appropriate to the capabilities of the child
• Self-esteem and resilience are recognised as essential to every child’s development
• Confidentiality and agreements about confidential information are respected as appropriate unless a child’s protection and well-being are at stake
• Professional knowledge, skills and values are shared appropriately in order to enrich the experience of children more widely
• Best practice requires a continuous search for improvement and self-awareness of how workers are perceived by others