This document discusses ethical standards and decision-making in the child care industry. It states that the industry is bound by many laws, regulations, and codes of conduct. National Quality Framework Standards and the Early Years Learning Framework set best practice standards. Codes of Ethics outline obligations for workers regarding service users, colleagues, and the profession. When making decisions, workers should consider integrity, openness, honesty, accountability, and objectivity rather than personal interests. Ethical dilemmas may require balancing needs, and consulting with supervisors is important. Unethical conduct should be reported according to policy.

1. Recap Week 8 5/09/2013

2.  As previously discussed the child care industry is
bound by may laws, regulations, standards and
codes of practice.
 There are also standards that are developed by
particular groups within the industry and are
meant to regulate the work behaviour of all
people working in this industry

3.  As previously discussed the child care industry is
bound by may laws, regulations, standards and
codes of practice.
 There are also standards that are developed by
particular groups within the industry and are
meant to regulate the work behaviour of all
people working in this industry

4.  National Quality Framework Standards usually set
out “best practice” standards for services and
aim to ensure that organisations continually
maintain a high standard of service delivery.
 Belonging, Being & Becoming: The Early Years
Learning Framework is a federally endorsed
framework to guide quality practice in early
childhood services

5.  Codes of Ethics usually set out obligations,
guidelines and responsibilities of those
working within the community services
sector
 These relate to service users, fellow workers,
the community and the overall profession

6.  What does the word “Ethics” mean?
 The moral principles by which a person is guided
 The rules of conduct recognised in certain
association.
 Ethics is concerned with morals and more
specifically with how we go about or work in
regard to our professional morals
 Give me some examples of what your think
working ethically means.

7.  There are some important documents that
will assist you in understanding more
specifically how ethics works within
community service organisations.
 2 of these documents specific to children’s
services are:
www.acecqa.gov.au – Australian Children's
Education and Care Quality Authority. This is
specific to the National Quality Framework –
regulations, law, standards, assessment processes,
ratings EYLF and MTMP.
aeca.org.au/code.html - The Australian Early
Childhood Associations’ Code of Ethics.

8. Policies/procedures relating to Ethical
behaviour
• Some policies or procedures that child care centres
may have in relation to ethical behaviour of staff
could be on;
▫ Fairness to all
▫ Merit selection in recruitment/employment
▫ Purchasing of resources
▫ Reporting of suspected wrong doing
▫ Observing codes of conduct
▫ Clear & respectful communication
▫ Honesty within the workplace
▫ Confidentiality
▫ Duty of care

9.  Although there are many policies, procedures,
standards and regulations to follow in the
children’s services industry, workers must
constantly make ethical decisions about their
actions and professional behaviour that is in the
best interest of their clients, co-workers and the
organisation
 When making decisions, a worker should not
consider their private or personal interests
 All decisions that are made should have the
following qualities;

10.  Integrity
 Truthful
 Honourable
 Reliable
 Moral
 Openness/transparency
 Giving reasons for decisions
 Revealing all avenues available to the client
 Offering all information
 Communicating clearly

11.  Honesty
 Obeying the law
 Following the letter and spirit of policies and
procedures
 Observing codes of conduct
 Fully disclosing any possible conflicts between public
and private interest
 Accountability
 Recording reasons for decisions
 Submitting to scrutiny
 Keeping proper accessible records
 Establishing audit trails

12.  Objectivity
 Fairness to all
 Impartial assessment
 Merit selection in recruitment and purchase of resources
 Considering only relevant matters
 Courage
 Giving advice fearlessly and frankly when required
 Doing the right thing even in difficult situations
 Reporting and dealing with suspected wrong doing
 Acting in the public interest above loyalty to colleagues or
supervisors
Information from the Independent Commission against Corruption www.icac.nsw.gov.au

13. Week 9 12/09/2013
ETHICAL DILEMMASETHICAL DILEMMAS
ETHICAL DECISION MAKINGETHICAL DECISION MAKING (cont)(cont)
UNETHIICAL CONDUCTUNETHIICAL CONDUCT

14.  There will be times when there is a situation that
requires a difficult choice and there may be a
conflict between core values
 These are referred to as Ethical Dilemmas
 FOR EXAMPLE A parent has asked you to
provide phone numbers of other clients in the
service because they would like to organise a
social gathering
 In this situation you know the parent is new to
the area and is genuine in their request.
However if you gave out the phone numbers, you
would be breaching other client’s confidentiality

15.  A solution could be for the parent to put up a sign about
the social gathering on the notice board or you could ask
permission from clients if they would like to give out their
phone number
 Determining what to do in difficult situations may involve
balancing the needs of various parties
 It may mean questioning what is appropriate and
inappropriate behaviour
 In difficult situations we also need to think about all the
possible consequences or outcomes of our decisions
 You should always consult with your supervisor before
making a decision on what to do

16.  You may be faced with similar situations to these
in any child care centre
 It is important to think about what is the right
thing to do before you have to make a decision.
 Ethical decision making is not clear cut.
Sometimes it may be about “following the rules”
but often we have to decide what will have the
best outcome for most of the people involved
 You may need to consider how the relationships
of those involved will be affected

17.  Read the document.....
Ethical Decision Making Model
and look at the attached diagram.
http://sielearning.tafensw.edu.au/MCS/CHCAOD402A/chcaod402a_csw/lo/8511/8511_00.htm

18. ACTIVITY 1
 Complete WORKSHEET 1.
http://sielearning.tafensw.edu.au/MCS/CHCAOD402A/chcaod402a_csw/lo/8511/8511_00.htm

19.  A Code of Ethics will not necessarily provide you
with a solution, but it can guide your decision
making.
 Don’t rush into a decision – be reflective
 Wherever possible consult with a supervisor

20. ACTIVITY 2
 Complete WORKSHEET 2.
http://sielearning.tafensw.edu.au/MCS/CHCAOD402A/chcaod402a_csw/lo/8511/8511_00.htm

21.  You need to consider what may happen if this
unethical conduct continues
 A vulnerable person inadvertently may be put at
risk
 In this circumstance you must act and make a
report
 It is important that unethical behaviour is
reported
 You may need to decide whether to challenge
the person directly or report the incident to
management
 The centre will have a policy/procedure for you
to follow
 Refer to the relevant Code of Ethics
UNETHICAL CONDUCT