Seven International Ethical Principles for People Working with Children
and Young People
It is the professional responsibility of each child 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;
- 5. 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 stem from these seven
clauses.
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