A DIFFICULT BALANCE

Imagine… You have been on a course which emphasised the importance of allowing a child to explore, set their own challenges and assess risks. Today, one of the four-year-olds you care for has decided that they want to climb up a bookcase and jump from the top to show how parachute men jump out of planes. Would you let them?

A simple choice Although the child wanted to set their own challenge, you assessed the risk and decided: the potential consequence was unacceptable harm to the child your duty of care to the child outweighed their right to explore and experiment in their learning.

Not so black and white Now consider a young person who has decided that they would like a career in the theatre. The parents support the child and are happy to take them to auditions. This often means leaving school early; the Headteacher has refused any further absences due to possible effects on the child’s academic education. What takes priority here – the child’s right to pursue their own interests and career or the parents’ responsibility to send their child to school?

Really grey! Finally, what about a disabled young person who has epilepsy and must take medication every day? They have decided the medication makes them sick and they don’t want to take it any more. Should the young person be forced to take the medication against their will? What is more important: the young person’s right to make decisions about their own health and well-being or the practitioner’s duty to ensure doctor’s instructions are followed?

A matter of degree The three scenarios illustrate just some of the decisions that have to be made by practitioners. Some decisions seem obvious, others less so and sometimes practitioners will make the wrong one.

Key questions When weighing up the child or young person’s rights and responsibilities against your duty of care, consider the following priorities: Danger of death or serious injury to themselves and/or others? Against the law? Morally wrong?

Time out If a decision is not clear cut: take a little time if you can, seek advice from a senior member of staff. Sometimes just talking through the dilemma and the options with a colleague can make things clearer.

Activity Think of your own scenario which shows the dilemmas that can arise when balancing a child or young person’s rights and responsibilities against your duty of care as a practitioner. Discuss your dilemma and solution with your colleagues.