Hi Lorina,
Can you please proof read and check if I have answer the rest of the question in my assignment correctly? Also if anything that I need to add into my answer. Some feed back would be great.
2. In your own words, define ‘duty of care’ and explain ways you could exercise your duty of care in an education and care setting, in particular:
The term Duty of care means looking out for the safety and wellbeing of the children under your care to minimise any possibly harm. There is also a general duty of care of all employees’ to ensure their health and safety in the workplace.
- When setting up the indoor environment – Making sure everything is child safe and ensures the children are not in harm in any way when setting everything up indoor centre. I would ensure to eliminate all objects that may be hazard to children for example: remove damaged equipments, wiring, poison chemicals, and cable cords so forth.
- At snack and meal times – Ensuring the child are supervised while eating and making sure the child don’t get a hold of anything that they can chock on. If children have particular special needs, ensure follow procedure as directed from the director and family that are denoted from recorded file.
- When supervising outdoor play – Ensure that all children are supervised at all times, especially if there is any water around, make sure slippery area are clean before children attending the area. Also make sure children have sunscreen and a hat on when outdoor to prevent from sunburn.
References:
http://ncac.acecqa.gov.au/educator-reso ... t_%202.pdf
3. Explain why it is important for educators to understand the policies and procedures of their workplace.
As an educator, I must demonstrate an understanding of the legal responsibilities and obligations of the designated job role. An educator has legal rights within the work place and demonstrates knowledge of key statutory and regulatory requirements relevant to the role.
Policies and procedures can assist educator to make quality decisions to serve best interests of children and families. Policies describe important and practical insight to protect children including why it is essential to have policies and procedures, when and where to implement in practice and how to make them work well in practice. Policies and procedures provide guidelines for all childcare educators to follow and provide opportunity to raise concerns when issues occur. It is important for educators to understand the policies and procedures of their work place so that the service is delivered adequately, appropriately and accordingly to national standard.
4. Explain how you think the Code of Ethics could help you in your work role.
Code of Ethics could help me in my role as an early childhood educator on how to deal with an ethical dilemma, how I should behave and provides principles to help me in my duty of care and day to day responsibilities.
As an educator I can protect the rights of my clients. I would demonstrate always be respectful about all children regardless of their cultural background, family type, and religious group. I would always put their interest first. Ensure confidentiality about their personal information is safe and not disclose to any unauthorised parties. Ensure the children are engaged in activities and have their voice heard.
As an educator I would also respect children’s parents or parent, I would keep their personal information confidential at all time and not to disclosed or gossip to others and respect their privacy.
References:
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org. ... de-ethics/
5. Describe the principles of ethical decision making.
As educators it is important to follow ethical codes and guidelines at all time so that we work professionally and appropriately to provide care and respect for clients.
To ensure the decisions I make are ethical I need to:
-make sure that guidelines of my services are clearly addressed. I would familiarise with all relevant legislations and standards so that when issues occur I could applied to the legislations appropriately and accordingly.
- ensure that I am aware of code of conduct that is reflected in the policies and procedures in my service. I would demonstrate a moral standard of professional behaviour and delivered at all time.
- organise a system in place that enable for me to explore all sides of an ethical dilemma and examine the consequences of any action and decisions I make.
The principles I would follow include: respect, honesty, integrity, justice, democracy and courage. I would apply these principles when I talk to colleagues, parents and children. I would apply these principles accordingly to the situation and ensure all parties are respected.
Reference:
https://sielearning.tafensw.edu.au/MCS/ ... 511_00.htm
6. Discuss your legal and ethical responsibilities and obligations towards:
- a child with mild Asperger’s
I would promote acceptance of the principle that a child with mild Asperger’s have the same fundamental rights as all other children in the centre and the community. I would ensure that the child with mild Asperger’s receives adequate support and acknowledgement. I would also ensure their safety is looked after in the centre.
- a child with same sex parents
I would promote equality between men and women. I would ensure to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sex, marital status or pregnancy and, with respect to dismissals, family responsibilities.
- a child with a severe disability
I would also promote acceptance of the principle that a child with severe disability have the same rights as all other children in the centre and the community. I would eliminate discrimination against the child with severe disabilities. I would encourage equal opportunity for the child to learn and gain skills as any other children.
- a child whose family does not speak English at home.
I would promote equality before the law for the children regardless of their race, colour or national or ethnic origin. I would ensure the child is treated equality in the centre as well as in the community. I would create and promote multiculturalism and ensure children whose family does not speak English at home are accepted and acknowledged respectively and equality as any other person in the society.
References:
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org. ... de-ethics/
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work ... lation#rda
7. Describe some behavioural indicators you might observe, as an educator, that could indicate that a child is being abused or maltreated.
Behavioural indicators that I may pick up as an educator that could indicate that a child is being abused or maltreated are:
- The child may show little or no emotion when hurt,
- Wariness of their parents,
- Age-inappropriate sexual behaviour
- Stealing food from others
- Excessive friendliness to strangers
- Wearing long sleeves and trousers in hot weather to hide bruises
References:
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv ... procedures
8. What strategies would you use to manage a child protection issue such as suspected abuse of a child?
If I suspect abuse of a child, the first step is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the child is to put the child’s needs first. Then I would gather as much evidences as possible to from the party disclosed the incident to the Department of Family and Community Services.
Strategies I would take to gather evidence are as followed:
- I would use actively listening skills to ensure the child’s voice is been heard.
- I would reassure the child that telling me was the right thing to do and acknowledge their bravery and strength to disclose their concern.
-I would observe the child and record any unusual behaviour or signs or indicators of harm or potential harm and make record of this in document.
-I would take photos of any physical bruises or injuries as record to support my claim. If I am aware of the child’s family background or history I would compile the information to support my claim.
-I would consult with colleagues and director in the centre and follow the centre’s protocols as well as make a report to the relevant statutory child protection department.
Reference:
http://www.aihw.gov.au/child-protection/ and
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/__data/assets ... -abuse.pdf
9. When dealing with a possible child abuse situation, why is confidentiality important for the child and the child’s family?
As educator it is addressed under section 23 and 129 of Children and Community Services Act 2004 that staff must maintain confidentiality to protect the child and their families. Not only is it legal obligations and principles and practices to maintain confidentiality. Confidentiality is important for the child and the child’s family when dealing with a possible child abuse situation in order to prevent the child from any possible further harm.
ps. (This one if possible how do I go about elaborate the answer? as all answer need to be between 100-200 words I feel this one I'm not quite sure with)
Reference:
http://det.wa.edu.au/childprotection/de ... ain&page=5
10. Describe ways that you can uphold the rights of a child in your care, in keeping with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
-I would ensure that the child in my care is entitling to their rights as children and as individuals.
-I would assist the child to develop to the best of their abilities, and encourage freedom of thought, engage in cultural activities, religion material as their desire.
-I would make sure the environment they are in is safe, stimulating and interesting, supporting their learning and building their skills to their development.
- I would make sure that the child is to eliminate from discrimination either from race, sex, religion and social economic background, and status.
-I would ensure that the child has access to adequate learning material, stimulating play equipments.
References:
http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalint ... s/crc.aspx
,
A great start to your first assignment! You pretty much answered everything very well. I've added a little more information below on some of the question which you can include before you submit it: