Apply ethical practices

Confidentiality

While it is necessary for us to collaborate with the relevant agencies when responding to abuse or risk of harm to children and young people, it is vital that we still maintain confidentiality while doing so. Confidentiality is a key ethical consideration and relates to our duty of care. Due to the sensitive nature of abuse and risk of harm, we should only divulge details to individuals who play a role in the identification or investigation of the abuse. Use a “need to know” principle. Only those that need to know, should know!

It is your responsibility to ensure that you familiarise yourself with the regulations, policies, procedures and any legislative requirements in regard to confidentiality regarding records relevant to your area of work.

Breaches of confidentiality can have serious consequences for the service, children, young people, families and you.

Upholding the rights of the child and young person - characteristics of child focused practice include;

Providing safe environments to ensure the wellbeing and safety of children and young people.
Upholding and promoting the rights of children and young people
Treating children and young people with respect, valuing their opinions, and acknowledging their individuality and dignity.
Establishing rapport through genuine interest and empathy.
Focusing on the child or young person when there are concerns about the child or young person’s safety.
Supporting children and/or young people’s holistic development—physical, emotional, cognitive, and social—while tailoring interventions to their individual strengths and needs.
Collaborating with other professionals, families, caregivers, and community members to provide appropriate support
Empowering children and young people to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs.
Actively involving children and young people in discussions, decisions, and planning processes that concern them.
Recognising the potential impact of trauma and ensuring that interactions and interventions are sensitive and supportive.
Listening carefully and use active listening techniques to children and young people when they communicate with us.
Providing support for families.
Supporting interagency collaborations

Potential ethical concerns/dilemmas when working with young children

An ethical dilemma in early childhood education is a situation where an educator faces two or more morally justifiable options, but must choose one—often without a clear “right” answer. These dilemmas typically involve conflicting responsibilities or values, such as the best interests of the child versus the wishes of the family, or professional boundaries versus emotional connections.

When working with children and young people we may come across ethical dilemmas that challenge our personal values and beliefs. These may be related to the way people treat children and family members, including belittling children which impacts the child's self esteem, image and confidence or disrespectful remarks about a family and their cultural practices. We may be challenged when an educator does not include a child in a learning experience or shows interest when a child or young person is wanting to share information with them.

It’s different from an ethical responsibility, which is a clearly defined obligation—like mandatory reporting of abuse. Ethical dilemmas require critical reflection, consultation with colleagues, and often reference to the ECA Code of Ethics and policies to guide decision-making.

Remember we are an advocate for children and young people and have a duty of care to support their welfare, safety and wellbeing.

Ethical Dilemma

A child arrives at the service wearing traditional cultural attire that includes jewelry and accessories. The service has a policy that discourages wearing jewelry for safety reasons during play and to esnure children do not loose valuable items. However, the child and family view the attire as an important expression of their cultural identity.

The Dilemma

Ask the child to remove the jewelry to comply with the safety policy.
Allow the child to wear it, respecting cultural identity and family values

This kind of dilemma requires educators to reflect on:

The Code of Ethics (e.g., respect for diversity, commitment to equity)
The National Quality Standard (e.g., fostering inclusive environments)
Open communication with families to find a respectful and safe compromise

Ethical Dilemma

A child is visibly tired and needs rest, but the parent has requested that the child not nap during care to preserve their nighttime sleep schedule.

The Dilemma

Allow the child to nap, prioritising their immediate wellbeing.
Follow the parent’s request, respecting their authority and routine.

Both choices are ethically defensible, but the educator must decide which aligns best with professional values and the child’s rights .

Ethical Dilemma

An educator notices that a colleague frequently speaks harshly to children and ignores children’s emotional cues. While the behavior doesn’t meet the threshold for mandatory reporting, it raises concerns about the quality of care and emotional safety of the children.

The Dilemma

Report the colleague’s behavior to a supervisor, potentially damaging the working relationship and causing tension.
Stay silent to preserve team harmony, but risk allowing poor practice to continue.

This situation involves conflicting ethical responsibilities:

Protecting children’s wellbeing and advocating for respectful care.
Maintaining professional relationships and avoiding unnecessary conflict.

Reporting ethical concerns/dilemmas

Reporting ethical concerns in the workplace is essential for maintaining a healthy and ethical work environment. Your policies' and procedures will guide you on how to deal with ethical dilemmas'. Here are some steps and guidelines to follow:

Observe and Investigate: If you witness behavior that you believe may be unethical, take the time to investigate further. Ensure you have a clear understanding of the situation and gather relevant facts.

Compile Proof: If the unethical behavior appears substantiated, compile evidence to support your observations. This could include emails, documents, or other relevant materials.

Report to Your Supervisor: The first line of reporting is with your direct supervisor. They are trained to manage such situations and can escalate as necessary.

Use Confidential Channels: Many organisations have confidential compliance or ethics departments. Report the unethical behavior to them. They can guide you on the appropriate steps to take.

Know Your Rights and Obligations: Familiarise yourself with your organisation’s policies and procedures related to reporting misconduct. Understand your obligations as an employee.

Remember, addressing unethical behavior benefits everyone in the workplace and contributes to a culture of integrity and accountability. If in doubt, seek advice from your manager

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