KEY COMPETENCY 9.1 – BUILD MY CAPACITY
“I will focus on developing and strengthening the capabilities of children and families to help them reach their full potential.”
Strengthening Capabilities is the first competency under the ‘Build My Capacity’ Way of Working, and relates to the ‘design and delivery of services and supports‘ phase of the child’s early developmental support journey. It is important for:
Empowerment: This competency focuses on developing the skills and knowledge of children and families, empowering them to advocate for their needs and make informed decisions.
Enhancing Independence: By strengthening capabilities, practitioners help children and families build confidence and resilience, promoting greater independence in navigating challenges.
Improved Outcomes: Enhanced capabilities lead to better developmental outcomes as families become more engaged in their child’s support and growth.
Community Building: Investing in the capabilities of families contributes to building stronger, more connected communities that can effectively support one another.
Strengthening the capabilities of children and families enables them to thrive and achieve their full potential. By focusing on skill-building, practitioners provide children and families with the tools they need to overcome challenges, fostering resilience and self-efficacy.
Research indicates that focusing on strengths and capabilities enhances developmental outcomes for children and promotes self-sufficiency in families, and empowers families to build their own capacity leads to long-term success.
Research and Further Reading:
Dunst, C., Espe-Sherwindt, M., & Hamby, D. (2019). Does capacity-building professional development engender practitioners’ use of capacity-building family-centered practices?. European Journal of Educational Research, volume-8-2019(volume8-issue2.html), 515-526. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.8.2.513
Smith, M., Brown, K., & Davis, L. (2018). Strengthening family capabilities through early intervention. Early Childhood Review, 45(2), 75-89.
COMPETENCY MILESTONES
I am able to:
Demonstrate awareness of the historical context and evolution of disability support systems and implicit biases.
Engage in self-reflection and seek opportunities for personal growth and learning.
Recognise the impact of personal biases on interactions with individuals and families in the support context.
Demonstrate active participation in learning and development activities under supervision and seek guidance to build knowledge and skills.
Collaborate with peers and mentors to explore and address personal biases and promote inclusive practice.
I am able to:
Actively engage in ongoing learning and professional development to deepen understanding of disability support history and contemporary issues.
Integrate self-reflection practices to enhance cultural competence and mitigate bias in support delivery.
Engage in targeted professional development opportunities, apply new knowledge to practice, and reflect on learning experiences to improve performance.
Actively work with peers and mentors to identify and address personal biases, implementing strategies to enhance inclusive practices within your work environment.
I am able to:
Lead personal development initiatives, driving continuous learning and reflection to refine support practices and cultural competence.
Advocate for systemic changes and policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the disability support sector.
Display professional ethics and values, promoting a culture of respect and understanding.
Independently identify and pursue advanced learning opportunities, integrate new insights into practice, and contribute to the professional development of peers.
I am able to:
Innovate professional development frameworks and initiatives that foster a culture of lifelong learning and self-awareness.
Influence sector-wide policies and practices to eliminate systemic biases and promote equitable support environments.
Collaborate with stakeholders to advance inclusive practices and drive positive outcomes for individuals and families in the disability support sector.
Lead and shape professional development initiatives, mentor others in their learning journeys, and drive innovation by staying at the forefront of research and best practices in early childhood intervention.
Reflection questions are a valuable tool for practitioners, promoting self-awareness, critical thinking, continuous improvement, and stronger relationships in their work with children and families. Below are some reflection questions for Key Competency 9.1: Strengthening Capabilities:
How am I supporting families in building their capabilities?
Am I providing them with the tools they need to become more self-sufficient?
How can I better identify and build on the strengths of children and families?
Empowering families to build their own capacity leads to long-term success and strengthens their ability to support their child’s development.
Access more information on the ChildKind Best Practice Framework with its 10 Ways of Working, 30 Key Competencies and 8 supporting Values and Behaviours here:
