KEY COMPETENCY 5.1 – EMBRACE EVIDENCE
“I will apply the best available evidence and practice to support the development of children and families, ensuring that the approach is family-centred and strengths-based.”
Embrace Best Practice is the first competency under the ‘Embrace Evidence’ 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:
Quality Assurance: Adopting best practices ensures that children receive high-quality, evidence-based supports, essential for their development and well-being.
Improved Outcomes: By integrating the latest research and proven methodologies, practitioners can enhance the effectiveness of their interventions, leading to better developmental outcomes for children.
Professional Development: Embracing best practices promotes continuous learning among practitioners, encouraging them to stay updated on current trends and methodologies.
Building Trust: A demonstrated commitment to best practices, fosters trust and collaboration in the support process, between families and practitioners.
Embracing best practice involves the application of the highest standard of evidence-based approaches in early childhood support. This means integrating proven methods, following guidelines, and continually refining practices based on the latest research and policy developments.
Research emphasises the importance of adhering to best practice guidelines in early childhood settings, noting that such adherence improves the quality of care and child outcomes. The Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Code of Ethics (2020) also promotes the application of best practices to ensure ethical responsibility and high standards across early childhood settings.
Research and Further Reading:
Tregenza S, Campbell-Barr V. Quality early childhood education and care in a time of COVID-19. J Early Child Res. 2023 Jun;21(2):198-211. doi: 10.1177/1476718X231153105. Epub 2023 Feb 11. PMID: 38603416; PMCID: PMC9922662.
COMPETENCY MILESTONES
I am able to:
Apply knowledge of ethical standards, legislation, and best practices to support service delivery.
Demonstrate understanding of the Reimagine Code of Ethics and its application in daily practice.
Uphold a zero-tolerance culture for discrimination, exploitation, neglect, and abuse.
I am able to:
Integrate ethical principles and legislative requirements into decision-making and service provision.
Implement evidence-based practices to promote quality and safety in service delivery.
Collaborate with stakeholders to uphold organisational standards and ethical guidelines.
I am able to:
Lead the implementation of best practices, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Design and facilitate training programs on ethical conduct and best practice guidelines.
Advocate for policies and initiatives that promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
I am able to:
Innovate ethical frameworks and practices, advancing standards of care and governance.
Influence industry-wide policies and regulations to enhance ethical standards and practices.
Collaborate with regulatory bodies and stakeholders to shape ethical guidelines and professional standards.
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 5.1: Embrace Best Practice:
How do I ensure that my practices are aligned with the latest best practice standards?
Have I reviewed current guidelines and integrated them into my daily work?
Am I open to changing my approach when new evidence emerges?
Embracing best practice means staying committed to the highest standards of care, ensuring that every child and family receives support grounded in evidence.
(Thorpe et al., 2021, p. 12).
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: