Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics is centred on the rights of the child and the rights of the child’s parent/guardian.

INTRODUCTION

This Code of Ethics outlines the values and ethics underpinning the work of the members of Community Cancer Caregivers. It provides volunteers with a set of principles as a reference point for day-to-today decision making.

The Code of Ethics is centred on the rights of the child and the rights of the child’s parent/guardian as the primary career and educators of their children.

The Code of Ethics is also informed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the national childcare strategy 2006-2010 diversity & equality guidelines for childcare providers.

The Code of Ethics is designed for the volunteer caregiver working with children and parents, to emphasise the professional nature of the nurturing care provided by the caregiver.

The Code of Ethics encourages and respects the caregivers own professional judgement.

The Code of Ethics of the Association of Childhood Professionals is written in line with the twelve principles of quality practice as outlined in Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education.

VALUE STATEMENT

VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS RECOGNISE THAT:

  • Every child is unique and has absolute rights.
  • Childhood is a significant time in life that must be nurtured, respected, valued and supported.
  • A child is active in their own development through their interactions with the world.
  • Children in our care and their families are going through a very confusing and difficult period of their life.
  • Volunteer caregiver’s minding takes place in the context of family, community, school and cultural settings.
  • Childhood is a precious time when children learn to live and get along with others in their intimate circle. Through their work with children and families, volunteer caregivers will promote and maintain these values.

    • PRINCIPLES OF VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS

    PRINCIPLE 1:

    The child’s individual strengths, needs, rights and responsibilities are the focus of quality childhood experiences. Children have the right to be listened to and appropriately responded to.

    PRINCIPLE 2:

    Parents are the primary careers and educators of the child and have the leading role in promoting the child’s health, well-being, learning and development. Open, honest, and respectful partnership with parents is essential in promoting the best interests of the child.

    PRINCIPLE 3:

    Positive relationships, which are secure, responsive, and respectful, stable and consistent over time, are essential to child well-being.

    PRINCIPLE 4:

    Volunteer caregivers respect diversity and ensure that all children and families have their own individual, cultural identity respected.

    PRINCIPLE 5:

    Volunteer caregivers treat all children and families equally in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004.

    PRINCIPLE 6:

    The safety, welfare, well-being, care and learning of all children will be protected and promoted when the children are in the care of the volunteer caregiver.

    PRINCIPLE 7:

    Volunteer caregivers understand the role of play as central to the well-being, development and learning of the child and ensure that children have varied opportunities to play.

    PRINCIPLE 8:

    In the early years of childhood, care and learning are inseparable, and volunteer caregivers are to take a rounded approach to the development of the whole child.

    PRINCIPLE 9:

    Volunteer caregivers act with responsibility, accountability, and integrity always. Volunteer caregivers reflect on and can explain their practice and decisions.

    PRINCIPLE 10:

    Volunteer caregivers value training and participate in continuous professional development provided by the organisation.

    PRINCIPLE 11:

    Volunteer caregivers respect a parent’s right to confidentiality and their express wishes in relation to the information they wish the child to know or not k now about their condition and ensure that the nature and limits of that privacy are clearly understood and applied. Volunteer caregivers will provide parents with all information relating to their children at the end of each session that the child or children are minded.