Explain The Yacvic Code Of Ethical Practice
The Code of Ethical Practice adopted and promoted by YACVic outlines a set of youth work principles and practice responsibilities for all youth workers. In this essay I will discuss two of these practice responsibilities and demonstrate how they relate to the ‘Hub of Ethical Practice’.
The YACVic Code of Ethical Practice is based on a human rights framework, it’s principles reflect underpinning values that inform youth work practice. The YACVic Code consists of ten youth work practice responsibilities, these practices suggest, in order to work ethically with young people, youth workers should adopt and employ these rules and guidelines. I believe one of the most important practices is the, Anti-Oppressive Practice: this requires one to
be non-discriminatory, for one to work to overcome inequities and to disengage ones personal beliefs in order to respond to the needs of the young person. This ensures workers will promote equality of opportunity and enable and encourage young people to respect and celebrate their individual and others’ cultural backgrounds, identities and choices. Anti-oppressive practice complies with ‘The Hub of Ethical Practice’ as the ‘Hub’ also acknowledges the value of difference, it firmly explains the importance of workers within the social and human services fields, cannot accommodate intolerance or difference based on race, culture, language, gender, sexuality, age, appearance, religion, political beliefs or socioeconomic circumstance. Not only is discrimination prohibited by law, it is also antithetical, therefore it is important that all youth workers always embrace diversity and difference with respect and without prejudice. If a youth worker is unable to respond to a young persons needs with a non-discriminatory approach because of their own personal beliefs, it is their responsibility to refer the young person to another worker who, is able to do so. ‘Primum non nocere’ is a Latin phrase that means "First, do no harm". Both the ‘Hub of Ethical Practice’ with it’s acknowledgement of valuing quality service and the YACVic Code of Ethics, Duty of Care, clearly outline that youth workers have a responsibility to practice and uphold this principle by ensuring young people are not exposed to physical, psychological or emotional harm at any time. Youth workers also need to be aware that harm may present itself in many different forms and it is their responsibility to assess risk and manage the safety of work and activities involving young people at all times.
Although these are only two examples, all the work principles which make up the Code of Ethics are equally important and play a major role in providing youth workers with a guideline which emphasises protection and consideration of young people at all times, along with promoting standing, accountability and standards of the profession, which is also practiced throughout the entire community services sector.
I believe that committing to or using the Code is about being willing to recognise the complexities inherent within youth work and rather than being a set of rules to follow, the Code is an aspirational document which provides an ethical compass – a ‘resource for the journey’ along with guidelines which assist individuals with professional decision making and I personally respect it’s importance. Adopting the Code means honouring it’s values, qualities and processes and in doing so a worker is rewarded with a framework and set of values that define safe, professional and ethical practice.
The YACVic Code of Ethical Practice is based on a human rights framework, it’s principles reflect underpinning values that inform youth work practice. The YACVic Code consists of ten youth work practice responsibilities, these practices suggest, in order to work ethically with young people, youth workers should adopt and employ these rules and guidelines. I believe one of the most important practices is the, Anti-Oppressive Practice: this requires one to
be non-discriminatory, for one to work to overcome inequities and to disengage ones personal beliefs in order to respond to the needs of the young person. This ensures workers will promote equality of opportunity and enable and encourage young people to respect and celebrate their individual and others’ cultural backgrounds, identities and choices. Anti-oppressive practice complies with ‘The Hub of Ethical Practice’ as the ‘Hub’ also acknowledges the value of difference, it firmly explains the importance of workers within the social and human services fields, cannot accommodate intolerance or difference based on race, culture, language, gender, sexuality, age, appearance, religion, political beliefs or socioeconomic circumstance. Not only is discrimination prohibited by law, it is also antithetical, therefore it is important that all youth workers always embrace diversity and difference with respect and without prejudice. If a youth worker is unable to respond to a young persons needs with a non-discriminatory approach because of their own personal beliefs, it is their responsibility to refer the young person to another worker who, is able to do so. ‘Primum non nocere’ is a Latin phrase that means "First, do no harm". Both the ‘Hub of Ethical Practice’ with it’s acknowledgement of valuing quality service and the YACVic Code of Ethics, Duty of Care, clearly outline that youth workers have a responsibility to practice and uphold this principle by ensuring young people are not exposed to physical, psychological or emotional harm at any time. Youth workers also need to be aware that harm may present itself in many different forms and it is their responsibility to assess risk and manage the safety of work and activities involving young people at all times.
Although these are only two examples, all the work principles which make up the Code of Ethics are equally important and play a major role in providing youth workers with a guideline which emphasises protection and consideration of young people at all times, along with promoting standing, accountability and standards of the profession, which is also practiced throughout the entire community services sector.
I believe that committing to or using the Code is about being willing to recognise the complexities inherent within youth work and rather than being a set of rules to follow, the Code is an aspirational document which provides an ethical compass – a ‘resource for the journey’ along with guidelines which assist individuals with professional decision making and I personally respect it’s importance. Adopting the Code means honouring it’s values, qualities and processes and in doing so a worker is rewarded with a framework and set of values that define safe, professional and ethical practice.