2.4 Give examples of poor practice and unprofessional conduct that may impact on outcomes for children and young people

This. guide will help you answer 2.4 Give examples of poor practice and unprofessional conduct that may impact on outcomes for children and young people.

Working with children and young people demands high professional standards. Poor practice or unprofessional behaviour can harm their development, safety and wellbeing. It can lead to loss of trust from families, colleagues and the wider community.

This guide covers different examples of poor practice and unprofessional conduct with a focus on how they might affect outcomes for children and young people.

Lack of Safeguarding Awareness

Safeguarding means protecting children from harm, abuse and neglect. Workers must be alert to warning signs. A lack of safeguarding awareness may include failing to report concerns or ignoring disclosures by children.

Impacts can include:

Children remaining in unsafe situations
Abuse continuing without intervention
Emotional and psychological damage becoming worse over time
Loss of trust in adults who were expected to protect them

Not following safeguarding procedures breaches legal duties set out in the Children Act 1989 and 2004. It may lead to disciplinary action and criminal charges.

Breaching Confidentiality

Confidentiality means keeping personal information private. Poor practice could be discussing a child’s personal details with someone who is not authorised. This includes gossiping with friends or posting information on social media.

Impacts can include:

Loss of trust between the child or family and staff
Emotional harm for the child if sensitive details are shared
Risk to safety if information is used to target or harm them
Damage to professional reputation

Workers must follow data protection laws such as the Data Protection Act 2018. All records should be stored securely and shared only with those who need the information for legitimate reasons.

Poor Communication

Children and young people learn and develop through clear guidance and supportive interaction. Poor communication from workers might involve using language beyond the child’s level of understanding, speaking harshly, or failing to listen.

Impacts can include:

Confusion and frustration for the child
Reduced confidence in the worker’s ability to support them
Misunderstanding of instructions leading to unsafe situations
Lower engagement in educational or care activities

Good practice involves active listening, adjusting speech to suit the child’s age, and using positive body language.

Lack of Inclusivity

Every child has a right to be treated fairly regardless of background, disability, culture, or religion. Poor practice occurs when workers favour certain children or ignore the needs of specific groups.

Examples include:

Organising activities that exclude children with mobility difficulties
Ignoring cultural dietary requirements
Not providing suitable learning materials for children with visual needs

Impacts can include:

Children feeling isolated or undervalued
Damage to self-esteem and identity
Reduced participation in learning and social activities
Greater chance of disconnection from the setting

Inclusive practice supports equality legislation and ensures all children benefit from opportunities.

Failure to Follow Policies and Procedures

Every organisation sets out policies to guide safe and consistent work. Poor practice includes ignoring these policies, such as not completing risk assessments or skipping required health checks.

Impacts can include:

Accidents or injuries to children
Inconsistent care leading to confusion
Damage to the setting’s reputation
Legal problems for the organisation

Policies help create predictable routines for children. Ignoring them removes structure and safety.

Unprofessional Attitude

Attitudes are reflected in behaviour. Poor practice includes being rude, dismissive, or showing a lack of interest in the child’s needs.

Examples include:

Not engaging with children during play
Making negative comments about children to colleagues
Showing frustration publicly

Impacts can include:

Reduced emotional support for the child
Children copying disrespectful behaviours
A negative environment where learning and social skills are limited

A professional attitude fosters respect and a supportive atmosphere.

Lack of Commitment to Professional Development

Children’s needs change over time, and new guidance emerges regularly. Poor practice occurs when workers refuse to update their skills or ignore recommended training.

Impacts can include:

Using outdated methods that may not support current child development standards
Missing signs of new risks or safeguarding concerns
Being unable to use modern tools to support learning

Continuous training shows commitment to quality care and meets regulatory requirements.

Inconsistent Behaviour Management

Children need fair and consistent boundaries. Poor practice includes punishing one child for behaviour but ignoring it in another. It may also involve using inappropriate discipline such as humiliation.

Impacts can include:

Confusion and resentment among children
Damaged trust in adults
Higher chance of challenging behaviour escalating
Harm to emotional wellbeing

Behaviour management should be positive, purposeful and in line with organisational policy.

Ignoring Health and Safety Rules

Health and safety laws create safe environments for children. Poor practice includes blocking fire exits, leaving equipment unsafe or failing to report hazards.

Impacts can include:

Accidents and injuries
Emergency procedures failing in crisis situations
Parents losing confidence in the setting’s ability to protect their children

Children must be able to learn and play in safe surroundings.

Poor Record Keeping

Records track health, incidents, progress and attendance. Poor practice includes failing to document accidents, not updating health plans, or misplacing files.

Impacts can include:

Lack of information during emergencies
Disruption in care or learning activities
Failure to meet legal inspection requirements
Inability to track a child’s development accurately

Accurate records are legal requirements and help plan effective support.

Lack of Respect for Cultural and Religious Needs

Culture influences beliefs, traditions and diet. Poor practice includes ignoring a child’s cultural celebrations or refusing dietary accommodations.

Impacts can include:

Discrimination and prejudice
Emotional distress for the child and family
Social exclusion within the group
Loss of trust in the worker or setting

Respecting culture encourages belonging and diversity in learning.

Overlooking Emotional Support

Emotional support helps children cope with challenges. Poor practice includes ignoring signs of distress, dismissing feelings or failing to offer comfort.

Impacts can include:

Low self-esteem
Anxiety or depression
Difficulty forming positive relationships
Reduced engagement in learning or activities

Workers should recognise emotions and respond with kindness and support.

Poor Timekeeping

Being late to work or leaving early can affect routines that children depend on. It may cause supervision gaps or missed activities.

Impacts can include:

Children waiting without supervision
Missed learning opportunities
Disruption to planned activities
Negative example for punctuality

Reliable timekeeping supports stability and trust.

Substance Misuse

Using drugs or alcohol while working with children is unprofessional conduct and illegal. It puts children at risk and breaks organisational trust.

Impacts can include:

Impaired judgement affecting child safety
Loss of professional licence or employment
Emotional distress for children witnessing unsafe behaviour
Severe legal consequences

Workers must remain fit to perform their duties at all times.

Gossip and Negative Talk

Speaking negatively about children, families or colleagues is poor practice. Gossip can spread false information and damage relationships.

Impacts can include:

Break down of trust among staff
Children overhearing and feeling unwanted
Creating a toxic environment

Professional communication should be respectful and factual.

Failure to Supervise

Lack of supervision can lead to accidents, bullying or unsafe behaviour. Poor practice includes leaving children unattended or not paying attention during activities.

Impacts can include:

Physical injury
Increased risk of bullying
Unsafe exposure to hazards
Loss of trust from parents

Supervision must be active and consistent to protect welfare.

Ignoring Developmental Needs

Each child develops at their own pace. Poor practice includes using activities unsuitable for their age or ignoring individual learning plans.

Impacts can include:

Frustration when tasks are too hard or too easy
Development delays if not challenged appropriately
Reduced interest in learning

Support should be matched to the child’s stage of development.

Final Thoughts

Poor practice and unprofessional conduct have direct and often serious consequences for children and young people. These behaviours damage trust, reduce learning opportunities, and can cause emotional or physical harm. The examples above underline the importance of high standards in every part of work with children.

Maintaining professionalism means following organisational policies, respecting rights, and providing consistent care. Children and young people deserve safe, supportive and inclusive environments where they can thrive. Every worker in this field holds a responsibility to meet these expectations every day.