Seven International Ethical Principles for Working
with
Children and Young People
It is the professional responsibility of every child
and youth care worker to –
- Value and respect each child or young person as an
individual in his/her own right, in his/her role as a member of his/her
family, and in his/her role as a member of the community s/he lives in;
- Respect the relationship of the child or young person to his/her parents,
his/her siblings, other members of his/her family and other significant
persons, taking account of his/her natural ties and interdependent rights
and responsibilities;
- Facilitate the optimal growth and development of each individual child or
young person to achieve his or her potential in all aspects of functioning;
- Help each child or young person for whom he or she bears responsibility
by preventing problems where possible, by offering protection where
necessary, and by providing care and rehabilitation to counteract or resolve
the problems faced;
- Use information appropriately, respecting the privacy of children and
young people, maintaining confidentiality where necessary, respecting the
right of children and young people to be informed of matters concerning
themselves, and avoiding the misuse of personal information;
- Oppose at all times any form of discrimination, oppression or
exploitation of children and young people, and preserve their rights;
- Maintain personal and professional integrity, develop skills and
knowledge in order to work with competence, work co-operatively with
colleagues, monitor the quality of services, and contribute to the
development of the service and of policy and thinking in the field of
childcare.
All other standards expected of child care workers
follow from these seven clauses.
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