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The text below is taken from the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the children's workforce. You can also download a PDF version of the document.
This core area covers the physical, intellectual, linguistic, social and emotional growth, and development of babies, children and young people. It is difficult to determine specific times when developmental changes occur, as they differ from person to person.
What is important is a basic understanding of those changes and how they can affect a baby, child or young person's behaviour. Parents and carers may be well placed to identify developmental and behavioural changes in their children but they may also find them difficult to cope with and seek reassurance, information, advice and support at various stages. It is therefore important to be able to self reflect and to adjust behaviour appropriately.
Skills
Observation and judgement
- Observe a child or young person's behaviour, understand its context, and notice unexpected changes.
- Listen carefully and respond to concerns expressed about developmental or behavioural changes.
- Record observations in an appropriate manner.
- Understand that babies, children and young people see and experience the world in different ways.
- Evaluate the situation, taking into consideration the individual, their situation and development issues.
- Be able to recognise the signs of a possible developmental delay.
- Be able to support children and young people with developmental difficulties or disabilities; and understand that their families, parents and carers also need support and reassurance.
- Make considered decisions on whether concerns can be addressed by providing, or signposting, additional sources of information or advice.
- Where further support is needed, know when to take individual action and when to refer to managers, supervisors or other relevant professionals.
- Be able to distinguish between fact and opinion.
Empathy and understanding
- Demonstrate commitment to reaching a shared understanding with a child, young person, parent or carer, by talking and listening effectively. Make sensitive judgements about what is being said and about its meaning.
- Be able to support a child or young person to reach their own decisions (while taking into account health and safety, and child protection).
- Encourage children or young people to value their personal experiences and knowledge.
- Appreciate the impact of transitions on childrens' development.
Knowledge
Understand context
- Know and recognise the child or young person's position in a family or caring network, as well as a wider social context; and appreciate the diversity of these networks.
- Understand and take into account the effects of different parenting approaches, backgrounds and routines.
- Know and recognise that for some children and young people, delayed or disordered development may stem from underlying, potentially undiagnosed disabilities and that it is not a reflection of parenting skills.
Understand how babies, children and young people develop
- Know that development includes emotional, physical, intellectual, social, moral and character growth, and that these can all affect one another.
- Appreciate the different ways in which babies and children form attachments and how these might change.
- Recognise that play and recreation that is directed by babies, children and young people, rather than by adults, has a major role in helping them to understand themselves and the world. It also helps them to realise their potential.
- Know how to interact with children in ways that support the development of their ability to think and learn.
Be clear about your own job role
- Know who the experts are and when they are needed.
- Remember that parents and carers usually know their children best.
- Know how to obtain support and to report concerns.
- Have a broad knowledge of the laws and key policy areas that relate to children.
- Know about the Child Health Promotion Programme (CHPP) and the Common Assessment Framework for Children and Young People (CAF); when and how to use them.
- Know how to reflect and to improve.
- Know how to use theory and experience to reflect upon, think about and improve practice.
- Highlight additional training and supervision that is needed to build on skills and knowledge.
- Understand and behave appropriately for the baby, child or young person's stage of development.
- Be aware that working with children and young people may affect you emotionally and know some sources that can help to deal with the impact of this.
- Draw upon personal experiences and other people's perspectives, to enable you to challenge your thinking and to assess the impact of your actions.
- Understand the role of supporting and promoting development.
- Know how to motivate and encourage children and young people to achieve their full potential, and how to empower and encourage parents and carers to do the same.
Associated documents
Common core of skills and knowledge for the children's workforce
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Last updated on 14/05/2009
