1.2 Explain the role of practitioners in providing impartial information and advice to children and young people

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Explain the role of practitioners in providing impartial information and advice to children and young people.

In childcare and youth support settings, practitioners often have an important role in guiding and advising children and young people. This role is not about telling them what to do, but about helping them make their own informed choices. To do this well, practitioners must remain impartial. This means giving information and advice that is fair, balanced, and without personal bias.

When a young person seeks guidance, they may be in a vulnerable position. Their trust in the practitioner depends on feeling respected, heard, and free from judgement. If advice is influenced by personal opinions or preferences, it can undermine trust and limit the child or young person’s ability to make their own decisions.

What is Impartiality?

Impartiality means presenting information without favouring one side or one choice over another. It involves giving facts, outlining different perspectives, and avoiding personal viewpoints.

For example, if a young person is deciding which subjects to take at school, an impartial practitioner would:

• Share accurate information about each subject, including content and expectations
• Explain possible progression routes linked to those subjects
• Avoid suggesting what the child should choose based on their own experiences or preferences

The aim of impartiality is to empower the child or young person. They should leave the conversation feeling informed, supported, and confident to decide for themselves.

Building Trust

Trust is a foundation for effective communication. Children and young people must believe the practitioner is there to support them without hidden agendas.

Ways to build trust include:

• Listening without interrupting
• Respecting different viewpoints
• Keeping discussions private unless safeguarding concerns arise
• Avoiding judgemental language

Trust encourages young people to ask questions and express doubts. This makes it easier for the practitioner to give full and accurate information.

Staying Objective

Practitioners sometimes face situations where their personal feelings or life experiences could influence what they say. Objectivity means deciding to set these aside and focus fully on the child or young person’s needs and context.

A good way of staying objective is to base advice on reliable evidence. This could be written guidance from official sources, training materials, or trusted professionals. When information is factual and supported by clear evidence, it is less likely to be influenced by personal bias.

Listening and Clarifying

Impartial information starts with careful listening. Practitioners must understand the child or young person’s question or concern before responding. Without this, advice could miss the point or lead to misunderstandings.

Good listening includes asking open-ended questions. These encourage young people to explain more and help the practitioner understand what support is needed. Clarifying details prevents assumptions and ensures all information provided is relevant.

Presenting Balanced Options

When offering advice about a decision, practitioners should present all reasonable options rather than steering towards one choice. The goal is to make sure the young person sees a clear picture of what is available, along with possible outcomes for each option.

For example, in career advice:

• Explain different job roles in the sector they are interested in
• Outline training or education paths for each role
• Describe both the benefits and challenges involved in each path

Removing bias gives the child or young person the best chance to decide what works for them.

Respecting Individual Needs

Children and young people have different backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences. Impartial advice must respect these differences and avoid applying stereotypes.

If a practitioner assumes certain behaviours or preferences based on background, their advice may unintentionally favour or exclude some options. Respecting individuality is part of impartiality. It focuses on the specific needs and values of the person asking for guidance, rather than generalising based on group characteristics.

Safeguarding within Impartial Advice

Sometimes impartiality must work alongside safeguarding responsibilities. If a young person’s safety is at risk, the practitioner must take action according to policy, even if it means steering away from neutral advice.

For example, if a child asks about meeting someone they met online, impartiality would involve explaining risks about meeting strangers, safety measures, and safe communication. In this scenario, the practitioner still provides clear information but leans towards protecting the young person from harm.

Encouraging Independent Thinking

The aim of giving impartial advice is not just to offer facts. It is about encouraging children and young people to think for themselves. This builds decision-making skills that will serve them in the future.

Practitioners can:

• Ask reflective questions
• Encourage weighing pros and cons
• Guide them to reliable sources of further information
• Support them in imagining outcomes for each choice

This approach shifts responsibility for the decision to the young person, helping them grow in confidence and independence.

Avoiding Influence from External Pressure

Sometimes external pressures such as organisational targets, parental expectations, or peer influence can affect advice given. Practitioners must be aware of these influences and avoid letting them colour the information provided.

For instance, if a school is promoting a certain course to increase enrolment, the practitioner must still provide full and fair information on all available courses. This protects impartiality and preserves the trust of the young person.

Communication Skills for Impartial Advice

Clear communication is key. Children and young people must understand the information for it to be useful. This means using language they can relate to and avoiding overly technical terms unless these are explained.

Communication skills that support impartial advice include:

• Using simple, plain English
• Checking understanding through questions
• Allowing time for processing information
• Adapting approach to suit age and development stage

Good communication ensures the advice is accessible and fair.

Using Reliable Information Sources

Impartial advice depends on accuracy. Practitioners should use dependable sources such as:

• Government guidance
• Official educational bodies
• Health services
• Reputable organisations linked to youth support

Giving outdated or incorrect information undermines impartiality. Practitioners should regularly update their knowledge to stay relevant.

Maintaining Professional Boundaries

Professional boundaries help practitioners avoid turning impartial advice into personal opinion. Boundaries protect the relationship and keep discussions focused on the young person’s needs.

This involves:

• Avoiding making decisions for them
• Not sharing unnecessary personal experiences
• Being consistent in information-giving
• Keeping advice within the scope of professional practice

Strong boundaries create a safe and supportive environment.

Confidentiality and Trust

Confidentiality is closely linked to impartiality. If young people know that their conversations will be kept private, they are more likely to share openly. This gives the practitioner a fuller picture and allows for more accurate and balanced advice.

Confidentiality should only be broken if there is a safeguarding risk. Practitioners must make this clear at the start so the young person understands the limits to privacy.

Recording and Reflecting on Advice

Recording advice given is good practice. It allows practitioners to reflect on whether their approach was impartial and to identify areas needing improvement. Records can protect both the practitioner and the young person if questions arise later.

Reflection involves looking back at the advice and asking:

• Did I present all valid options?
• Was the information accurate?
• Was there any possible bias?

Regular reflection supports ongoing professional growth.

Working with Other Professionals

Inter-agency cooperation strengthens impartiality. Practitioners may refer children or young people to specialist services for more detailed information. Each professional contributes accurate details from their area of expertise, helping the young person get a rounded view.

Examples include:

• Careers advisers
• Health professionals
• Counsellors
• Social workers

Collaboration improves the quality and neutrality of advice.

Supporting Decision Follow-Through

Sometimes a young person returns to the practitioner after making a decision, seeking support in following through. This stage still requires impartiality. The practitioner’s role is to provide guidance to help them act on their choice, not to reassess or question the decision unless safeguarding risks appear.

For example, if a young person chooses to apply for a course, the practitioner might:

• Help with application forms
• Suggest interview preparation resources
• Signpost financial support options

This maintains respect for their decision-making and keeps the focus on practical support.

Final Thoughts

Providing impartial information and advice is a central part of supporting children and young people effectively. It requires a careful balance between giving clear facts, presenting different perspectives, and avoiding personal bias. The ultimate aim is to empower them to make informed choices that fit their own needs, values, and circumstances.

Practitioners must remain aware of influences that can affect neutrality. Strong listening skills, respect for individuality, accurate information sources, and professional boundaries all help in meeting this responsibility. By staying impartial, a practitioner builds trust and supports genuine independence in young people, which is a positive and lasting outcome for their development.