Recap Week 7 29/8/2013 Administration is vital for the organisation

to run effectively. You will need to have an understanding of

the centre’s administration systems to know where and how certain documents are stored.

You will also need to be informed about basic day to day operations such as;

Staff rostersHow to use specific equipment in relation to your jobHow to advise of shortage of materials and resourcesProcedures on how to accept any fees or cash on

behalf of the centreUse of appropriate written forms

Week 8 5/09/2013

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

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

ACTIVITY 1Using the whiteboard – students are to list some examples of what they think working ethically means.

What does the word “Ethics” mean?The moral principles by which a person is

guidedThe 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

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.

eca.org.au/code.html - Early Childhood Associations’ Code of Ethics.

ACTIVITY 2 Revisit the handout (extract from the Australian

Early Childhood Australia – Code of Ethics aeca.org.au/code.html).

Identify the sections or parts of the handout that focuses specifically on;

workplace relationshipsworkers behaviour standards of work

  What are some key points in this document that

would help you determine the standard of work in a child care centre i.e. maintaining confidentiality

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;

IntegrityTruthfulHonourableReliableMoral

Openness/transparencyGiving reasons for decisionsRevealing all avenues available to the clientOffering all informationCommunicating clearly

HonestyObeying the lawFollowing the letter and spirit of policies and

proceduresObserving codes of conductFully disclosing any possible conflicts between

public and private interest

AccountabilityRecording reasons for decisionsSubmitting to scrutinyKeeping proper accessible recordsEstablishing audit trails

ObjectivityFairness to all Impartial assessmentMerit selection in recruitment and purchase of

resourcesConsidering only relevant matters

CourageGiving advice fearlessly and frankly when requiredDoing the right thing even in difficult situationsReporting and dealing with suspected wrong doingActing in the public interest above loyalty to

colleagues or supervisors

Information from the Independent Commission against Corruption www.icac.nsw.gov.au

Activity 3 Being guided by the following terms – have students work on the following scenarios (Activity 2.2 TP Pp39/40) that are relevant to ethical decision makingIntegrityOpenness/transparencyHonestyAccountabilityObjectivityCourage

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