Child and young person development

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 these will 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 that you have the ability to self-reflect and adjust your own behaviour appropriately.

Skills

Observation and judgement

• Observe a child or young person's behaviour, understand its context, and notice any unexpected changes.
• Listen actively 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 a developmental difficulty or disability, and understand that their families, parents and carers will 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 you feel that further support is needed, know when to take action yourself and when to refer to managers, supervisors or other relevant professionals
• Be able to distinguish between fact and opinion.

Empathy and understanding

• Demonstrate your 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 what is meant by what is being said.
• Be able to support a child or young person to reach their own decisions (while taking into account health and safety and child protection issues).
• Encourage a child or young person to value their personal experiences and knowledge.
• Appreciate the impact of transitions on child 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 account of 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 fr om underlying, potentia ll y undiagnosed disabi li ty and 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 know that they 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 directed by babies, children and young people, not adults play a major role in helping them understand themselves and the world around them as well as helping them 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 almost always know their children best.
• Know how to obtain support and report concerns.
• Have a broad knowledge of the laws and key policy areas related to children.
• Know about the Child Health Promotion Programme and Common Assessment Framework for Children and Young People (CAF) and, where appropriate, how to use them.

Know how to reflect and improve

• Know how to use theory and experience to reflect upon, think about and improve your practice.
• Highlight additional training and supervision needs to build on your 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 of help in dealing with the impact of this.
• Draw upon your experience and others' perspectives to enable you to challenge your thinking and assess the impact of your actions.
• Know your role in 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.