Unit 5 – the Principles Underpinning the Role of the Practitioner Working with Children

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Maintaining Professional Relationships Professional relationships between staff and parents are vital to contribute to the child’s wellbeing as parents will need to know how their child’s day has progressed in order to give them the correct care at home. A practitioner has certain responsibilities to uphold in order to carry out their role to their full potential, this includes; helping parents as well as children, being a supportive member of staff, and being hospitable and helpful towards other visitors. There are a few main roles of a practitioner whilst working with children. These could include; maintaining confidentiality; maintaining health and safety standards; maintaining personal hygiene; carrying out your role to your fullest potential; maintaining a professional manner; encouraging a healthy attitude towards life; being a role model; a positive attitude; meeting every child’s individual needs relating to targets/goals; be approachable; etc. Confidentiality is imperative to building trusting relationships with the children, their families and even other staff and professionals. It is important that you are approachable to parents and guardians and that they are able to put their trust in you, e.g. Parents sometimes feel the need to inform practitioners about a sensitive subject that had upset their child. Although other members of staff may need to know that the child may be upset, they don’t necessarily need to know why. If this trust is breached and you were to tell somebody, the word of the situation could spread quickly and eventually get back to the child/parent, upsetting them even further. There is a fine line between information and gossip that we must not cross. Like all roles in life, one of the most important things to promote and maintain in a childcare setting is health and safety. Health and safety policies are put in place to keep
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