Families and practitioners have co-designed eight (8) ChildKind values or behaviours which can help to enable best practice outcomes for young children with disability, developmental delay, and nuerodivergence. These values and behaviours have been linked to actions that can be taken by practitioners and the tangible best practice outcomes that they can support.
I will be anti-racist and anti-ableist and advocate for the rights of others
So that…
Children and families are included, experience equal opportunities and are treated with fairness and respect.
I will take into account the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of others
So that…
Children and families feel understood, valued, and supported in a compassionate environment.
I will exercise curiosity without judgment by seeking answers through asking questions in a sensitive manner
So that…
Children and families benefit from a well-rounded understanding of themselves that leads to thoughtful decision making.
I will assist others in need without expecting any rewards
So that…
Children and families experience a community of kindness and support, where people help each other selflessly.
I will show grace by acknowledging and valuing the strengths and areas for improvement in myself and others
So that…
Children and families feel appreciated and empowered to embrace their unique perspectives and abilities.
I will be accountable and accept the outcomes of my actions and inactions
So that…
Children and families can trust and rely on me, knowing that I am accountable and dependable.
I will act with integrity, honesty and fairness
So that…
Children and families can be confident that my actions are just, principled, and in their best interest.
I will embrace new ideas and approaches based on evidence to create positive change and social impact
So that…
Children and families can benefit from innovative solutions, improved services, and better support.
Uphold Social Justice is aligned to following Best Practice/s:
1. Embrace my uniqueness (Understand Me)
4. Affirm my diversity (Understand Me)
9. Be an ally for my equity and justice (Enable Me)
11. Support me to be included (Enable Me)
Alignment Explained:
Uphold Social Justice promotes anti-ableism and anti-racism by celebrating individuality, affirming diversity, advocating for rights, and ensuring inclusion and fairness for all children.
Display Empathy is aligned to following Best Practice/s:
2. Consider my culture (Understand Me)
7. Respond with understanding (Support Me)
12. Build on my strengths (Enable Me)
Alignment Explained:
Display Empathy encourages practitioners to understand and value the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of children and families, creating compassionate and supportive care environments.
Exercise Curiosity is aligned to following Best Practice/s:
3. Embed my lived experiences (Understand Me)
6. Tailor my supports (Support Me)
Alignment Explained:
Exercise Curiosity promotes understanding by encouraging thoughtful questioning and adapting supports to the unique needs and experiences of each child and family.
Practice Altruism is aligned to following Best Practice/s:
10. Collaborate with my team (Enable Me)
Alignment Explained:
Practice Altruism encourages selfless collaboration between practitioners, ensuring the child and family’s needs are prioritised through teamwork.
Choose Humility is aligned to following Best Practice/s:
12. Build on my strengths (Enable Me)
5. Establish my priorities with me (Support Me)
Alignment Explained:
Choose Humility acknowledges strengths and areas for improvement, empowering children and families to embrace their abilities and contribute to shared goal-setting.
Be Responsible is aligned to following Best Practice/s:
5. Establish my priorities with me (Support Me)
Alignment Explained:
Be responsible ensures accountability by aligning goals with the child and family, demonstrating responsibility and trustworthiness.
Act Ethically is aligned to following Best Practice/s:
8. Uphold best practice (Support Me)
Alignment Explained:
Act Ethically encourages practitioners to act with integrity, honesty, and fairness, ensuring ethical decision-making and principled care.
Embrace Innovation is aligned to following Best Practice/s:
6. Tailor my supports (Support Me)
3. Embed my lived experiences (Understand Me)
9. Be an ally for my equity and justice (Enable Me)
Alignment Explained:
Embrace Innovation embraces innovative approaches by tailoring supports to each child’s needs, embedding lived experiences, and advocating for equitable, progressive change.
In 2024 Reimagine Australia updates our Practitioner Code of Ethics in co-design with members of our CHILDKIND Community. As our society progresses and our understanding of diversity, inclusion, and child development deepens, it becomes imperative that our guiding principles evolve accordingly.
The resultant Code of Ethics (the Code) is more than just a set of guidelines; it is a foundational document that guides practitioners in delivering high-quality, ethical early childhood support (intervention) services for nearly a decade.
The Code encapsulates the best practice principles and values essential for fostering an environment where every child’s unique needs are met with the utmost care and respect.
