Early Childhood
Task 1
Scenario 1
Based on the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), it is necessary to uphold the quality areas mentioned in this domain to maintain good childhood care. The essence of the National Quality Framework (NQF) is to maintain continuous improvement of care services and education all over Australia (2017). By utilizing some of the quality areas mentioned in this domain, tackling this scenario can be a more effective process. Based on the education program and practice, I would take immediate control of the situation in a way that would not affect James’ education (Lamb, 2014). As such, I would deal with the issue aside from other children since at the presence, James would have his esteem further lowered. Therefore, I would take him to an office and interact with him in private. This would be a necessary step in ensuring that he is open to sharing his grievances. NQF emphasizes on the need of maintaining the safety and health of children.
Based on this scenario, I would gauge how safe James is by interviewing him on his relationship with the siblings at home. Having a bruise indicates that James has previously been involved in a physical engagement which may be one of the factors that contribute to his change in behavior. Moreover, the bruise may risk his health since it is clear that the parents are not aware of such injuries. I would ensure that I treat this injury and seek information on what might be the cause of the injury. After that, I would approach the cause of the injury with utmost care since James might have been threatened that upon revealing such information, something bad might happen to him. The physical environment is another quality area that is strongly emphasized by NQF. I would evaluate the physical environment and understand what might be the cause of the changed behavior.
Similarly, the staffing arrangement as stated in the NQF might be one of the factors that lead to the change of James behavior. A teacher’s response towards a child may dictate the mood that the teacher imparts on them. Therefore, it might be possible that the change might have been attributed to negative staff practice. As mentioned in the scenario, James has two brothers and recently, one of the relatives, Tony, had come to live with the family. It would be necessary to assess the relations James has with other children and try to solve the differences that might further negatively affect him.
Some of the indicators of harm in this scenario include;
- The presence of a large bruise on James’ thigh.
- Being moody and violent to other peers.
- James’ father was involved in an accident hence does not adequately play the role of a bread winner.
- Inadequate care available since James’ mother struggles to cater for the needs that his father was previously expected to cater for.
- The presence of a bruising that needs both hospital attention for immediate treatment and investigation to prevent a repeat of either the physical engagement or possible accident that would have caused the bruise.
- Disclosure of abuse.
- Violent activities against other peers.
James can be viewed to be in a position of exposure to other negative factors based on the risks he is exposed to. Some of the risk factors based on this scenario include;
- Bad behavior which exposes him to violence.
- His bruises depict that he is exposed to violence within the environment he lives.
- Lack of both parental care since his father is reported to have been involved in an accident.
I would make a report as a way of recording the findings. It might be necessary to retrieve information regarding factors affecting James while dealing with staffing or family relationships (Lamb, 2014). Moreover, a report may be needed when seeking treatment. Putting into writing helps understand the situation better than talking. Therefore, it would be necessary to formulate a report regarding the scenario since it would help all persons involved in tackling of the situation understand it better. I would notify the parent about the issue in a closed meeting. It will be through this meeting that I would understand whether the family relationship is the contributing factor behind James’ behavior change. Moreover, the parents spend more time with their children, hence, they would be the ideal resource to utilize in solving the issue. By engaging the parents, I would be in a position to counsel them on the ideal action to take to alleviate the negative repercussions associated with James’ behavior. I believe that the situation can be effectively solved with the cooperation between the parents and early childhood care professionals. A child focused approach entails utilizing a program that ensures children grow, learn, and are nurtured in a safe environment (Lamb, 2014). Moreover, the approach ensures that children are protected from neglect and receive adequate care. Based on a child focused approach, I would engage James in a private environment and promise to keep our conversation confidential. I would entice James to speak out issues affecting him by not only being kind to him, but also utilizing other techniques that would ease the moment and ensure he is ready to be helped.
Scenario 2
Following policy and procedure, I would ensure that the health and safety of Lucy are as per the normal expectations (Lamb, 2014). Therefore, I would calm her down and assess whether she has other injuries. After that, I would seek medical attention to alleviate the pains that might be the cause of discomfort depicted. Based on the ACECQA (2017), physical environment, partnerships with families and communities are quality areas which might affect the behavior of children. I would evaluate whether the injuries and discomfort might be attributed to by the physical environment in which Lucy resides. Based on the scenario, the environment is filled with violence, hence, the presence of police officers is common. As such, these might be some of the factors behind the behavior portrayed by Lucy. According to the ACECQA (2017), some of the indicators of harm based on this scenario include;
- Lucy’s injury requires immediate medical attention and investigation. The big hand print on her thigh indicate that she has been involved in physical engagement hence necessary research should be done to gauge whether the child has other injuries rather than external marks seen.
- Violence experienced in the community where Lucy lives indicates harm.
- Significant history of the relationship with the parents may have contributed to the harm and discomfort depicted. Lucy does not have adequate time with her mother since she works as a night packer at the local shops.
The risk factors that Lucy is exposed to include;
- Lack of adequate care evidenced by nappy rash that resulted in bleeding.
- The large hand print on her thigh indicates that she has been previously beaten, hence, there is a need to investigate who beats her and avoid further injury.
- Bruises depict that if immediate action is not taken, further injuries and discomfort may be witnessed in future.
There is a need to notify the parents about the situation. Since both parents do not have adequate time with Lucy, there is a need to inform them because they might not be aware of the issues affecting Lucy. As reported by Lucy’s dad, the discomfort began since morning meaning that he had not witnessed such behavioral change any other day. Moreover, the nappy rash must have been a constant exposure to inadequate care. Therefore, there is a need to inform the parents and engage them in a dialogue aimed at improved care for the child.
Indeed, Lucy faces child abuse based on the hand print on her thigh and bleeding due to rash. Therefore, it is important to report the issue to the relevant authorities. South Australia Department for Child Protection is one of the possible authorities to present the case (Lamb, 2014). The organization is involved in dealing with issues such serious harm, injury, and neglect. The contact line is open 24 hours a day hence contacting the child abuse report line would be an immediate action. The contact line is 13 14 78, and the needed information is the issue affecting the child. It would be necessary to come up with a report since it might be needed by the child abuse report organization. Moreover, a report might be needed for future reference.
Report
Name of service: Childhood care service providers Date: 8/11/2017
Name of Child: Lucy Age: 6 months
Address: 112 Sunline Drive
Gender: Female Culture: Aboriginal Language spoken: English
Attends the service: Education and care service
Family details: an Aboriginal mother who is a night packer and a dad who drops her to the facility. Both parents do not have adequate time caring for the child.
Time of incident/ Observation: 10: 00AM. Location: Education and Care service center.
Observation: Screams when touched, red hand print on the thigh of the child and nappy rashes that have led to bleeding on her bottom.
Other relevant information: Lucy screams with an attempt of being changed to a clean nappy.
Name of Reporter: Signature:
Date:
Task 2
The section of early childhood of Australia’s code of ethics that links to the relationship of children include the significance of nurturing and supporting the rights of children (ACECQA, 2017). The section that relates to the families is the parent being the primary educator and have a pre-eminent role in promoting well-being, learning, and development of children (ACECQA, 2017). A duty of care requires a person to adhere to the stated act while performing in a way that foresees harm on others (Lamb, 2014). My duty of care is to oversee that appropriate care is delivered to the children. I can see no conflict in abiding by the duty of care since all the operations of early childhood care are conducted in accord with the stated law.
These scenarios link to the nondiscrimination article of the UN and right to survive and develop. The act that you have to follow in Australia while reporting such cases is identifying the issue and calling the relevant authorities once risk and harm are identified. These two scenarios link to the children health and welfare based on the National Quality Standards. It is necessary to share the information from the two scenarios with other organizations as a way of avoiding recurrence of such activity in future. The documentation of these scenarios should be preserved within the education and care facility. The cultural consideration in both scenarios is the way the children are brought up. As such, the aboriginal community culture should be maintained in advising the parents on how to raise their children. When one finds it difficult to follow organizational policies and procedures, it is necessary to seek assistance from experienced persons as a way of gauging the appropriate action to take.
References
Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). (2017). National Quality Standard. Retrieved from http://www.acecqa.gov.au/quality-areas?hc_location=ufi
Lamb, M. E. (2014). Child care in context: Cross-cultural perspectives. Hove: Psychology Press.
