Code of Practice
CfC Policy

It is Caring for Children policy that :

IT IS THE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH CHILDCARE WORKER TO:

1. 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;

2. 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;

3. Facilitate the optimal growth and development of each individual child or young person to achieve his or her potential in all aspects of functioning;

4. 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;

6. Oppose at all times any form of discrimination, oppression or exploitation of children and young people, and preserve their rights;

7. 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.

CfC adopted the above FICE Code of Practice all for people working with children and young people several years ago. At present AIEJI is consulting about a draft Code which they have prepared for social educators, and the IFSW is in the process of revising their Code, which is on its website. Both these organisations would welcome comments, and we will be pleased to forward them.

In the United Kingdom, the General Social Care Council has issued Codes not only for workers but also for their employers.

If CfC members believe that the FICE Code should be amended, please email us and we will pass the message on.

- Should the Code say something about child protection or equal opportunities?
- Should it be explicit about children’s right to choice and to control over their own lives?
- Should it include adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child?
- Is anything else missed out, or in dated language?

Equally, if you believe that FICE - or CfC - should adopt one of the other Codes - or should work with other organisations to agree an international Code, please write and tell us your views.