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Section 3: Getting it right for every child: values and principles

Common values and principles

are at the heart of the Getting it right for every child approach. The Getting it right for every child values and principles build from the Children's Charter¹¹ and reflect legislation, standards, procedures and professional expertise. The values and principles bring meaning and relevance at a practice level to single-agency, multi-agency and inter-agency working across the whole of children's services. They provide a common platform for working with children and young people which all practitioners and professionals can draw from.

The Getting it right for every child approach is underpinned by common values and principles which apply across all aspects of working with children and young people. Values and principles are reflected in legislation, standards, procedures and professional expertise and are for everyone with a part to play in promoting the well-being of children and young people. The values and principles are:

Promoting the well-being of individual children and young people: this is based on understanding how children and young people develop in their families and communities and addressing their needs at the earliest possible time

Keeping children and young people safe: emotional and physical safety is fundamental and is wider than child protection

Putting the child at the centre: children and young people should have their views listened to and they should be involved in decisions that affect them

Taking a whole child approach: recognising that what is going on in one part of a child or young person's life can affect many other areas of his or her life

Building on strengths and promoting resilience: using a child or young person's existing networks and support where possible

Promoting opportunities and valuing diversity: children and young people should feel valued in all circumstances and practitioners should create opportunities to celebrate diversity

Providing additional help that is appropriate, proportionate and timely: providing help as early as possible and considering short and long-term needs

Supporting informed choice: supporting children, young people and families in understanding what help is possible and what their choices may be

Working in partnership with families: supporting, wherever possible, those who know the child or young person well, know what they need, what works well for them and what may not be helpful

Respecting confidentiality and sharing information: seeking agreement to share information that is relevant and proportionate while safeguarding children and young people's right to confidentiality

Promoting the same values across all working relationships: recognising respect, patience, honesty, reliability, resilience and integrity are qualities valued by children, young people, their families and colleagues

Making the most of bringing together each worker's expertise: respecting the contribution of others and co-operating with them, recognising that sharing responsibility does not mean acting beyond a worker's competence or responsibilities

Co-ordinating help: recognising that children, young people and their families need practitioners to work together, when appropriate, to provide the best possible help

Building a competent workforce to promote children and young people's well-being: committed to continuing individual learning and development and improvement of inter-professional practice.

All of the values and principles are relevant at all times but some are particularly relevant when working in a multi-agency environment. By placing children and young people at the centre of policies, activity and planning and by having common principles and values we can secure better outcomes. The values and principles text is also on the website.

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